Quick Question

[SuperShires]

Unsure if this is the correct sub to post this but:

 

I plan on upgrading my system in a couple of months (new case, motherboard ect.) and im wondering when I switch my motherboard I will have to reinstall windows (which I dont mind doing) but the question Im trying to ask is once I have installed windows and connect my other 2 hard drives will I be able to keep everything on them without having to format them? as my WD Black has all my steam games and that whereas my WD Green has all my movies/music/pictures on it and I dont really want to transfer them to temp storage as it would take a long time.

 

thanks.

[Enderman]

1) you may have to reactive windows after changing the motherboard, but a reinstall would be the best option because every motherboard uses different drivers (and lets be honest, when was the last time you did a clean install?)

 

2) your other two hard drives will not need to be formatted

[Oshino Shinobu]

It's luck of the draw with Windows and motherboard swaps. I've had times where it works fine, others where I had to reinstall. 

 

As for the HDDs, you'll be fine with movies, documents and such, but applications and games will likely have to be reinstalled. With Steam, you should be able to make a backup of all your games, then start the install through Steam to make the new directories, then copy the game files over and verify them through Steam. It should stop you from actually having to reinstall all the games. 

[SuperShires]

It's luck of the draw with Windows and motherboard swaps. I've had times where it works fine, others where I had to reinstall. 

 

As for the HDDs, you'll be fine with movies, documents and such, but applications and games will likely have to be reinstalled. With Steam, you should be able to make a backup of all your games, then start the install through Steam to make the new directories, then copy the game files over and verify them through Steam. It should stop you from actually having to reinstall all the games. 

Alright thanks for the info, so once I connect the hdd's will I have to partition them or w/e it is or is it just a plug and play deal?

 

-snip-

Im not too bothered about reinstalling windows as I have it on an ssd, think the only thing thats on the ssd is a few games.

[EthanMcL]

Alright thanks for the info, so once I connect the hdd's will I have to partition them or w/e it is or is it just a plug and play deal?

 

Im not too bothered about reinstalling windows as I have it on an ssd, think the only thing thats on the ssd is a few games.

Should just be plug and play!

 

If not, just initialize them through Computer Management.

[Enderman]

Alright thanks for the info, so once I connect the hdd's will I have to partition them or w/e it is or is it just a plug and play deal?

Unless they are new HDDs, they will just work once you plug them in

[SuperShires]

Should just be plug and play!

 

If not, just initialize them through Computer Management.

 

 

Unless they are new HDDs, they will just work once you plug them in

Ahh thanks! thats put my mind at ease haha, cheers guys

[Enderman]

Ahh thanks! thats put my mind at ease haha, cheers guys

 

You're welcome