Reinstalling Vista Ultimate

[Gaiden133]

I just ordered a raptor 150gb drive and currently, my rig has vista ultimate x64 on my 320gb sata drive.

What I basically want to do is reformat or wipe out the 320gb drive and reinstall vista x64 on the raptor.

I know how about to do this, but I have a few questions:

I have the full version of Vista Ultimate (both x64 and x86)

1) Is there some sort of activation thing I have to go through or deactivate or register with microsoft if i am changing hardware or reinstalling? I only ask this because in the past, i just used to be able to pop in the winxp cd, boot from it, delete the old partition and install xp from there. How many time uses do I get with vista full ?

2) Is there a difference between quick format and format when given the option? I hear quick format doesn't remove all of the stuff, but just want to clear up some rumors.

[rhagz]

1) A bunch. If you find you can't activate it automatically you can call them and tell them you had to replace hardware and get a new key. Usually it takes a motherboard change to cause this, a reinstall on a new hard drive likely won't trigger it.

2) Quick format only deletes the file tables, not the data. As you record new data it overwrites the old. If you have sensitive top-secret CIA files on the drive then someone could theoretically steal it and possibly retrieve information. A full format writes 0s to every sector, effectively erasing all information.

[Gaiden133]

1) A bunch. If you find you can't activate it automatically you can call them and tell them you had to replace hardware and get a new key. Usually it takes a motherboard change to cause this, a reinstall on a new hard drive likely won't trigger it.

2) Quick format only deletes the file tables, not the data. As you record new data it overwrites the old. If you have sensitive top-secret CIA files on the drive then someone could theoretically steal it and possibly retrieve information. A full format writes 0s to every sector, effectively erasing all information.

1) Gotcha. Thanks, and since this is my first time, i don't think it should be an issue then. Only thing I was wondering was whether I had to contact them before wiping out that 320gb drive and reinstalling on the raptor

2) Good to know. It won't matter for new drives right? Or does it speed things up to always do a format rather than quick format no matter what? I ask since I have a 2nd 500GB drive that I bought new, which I just used quick format and always wondered whether I should've done just format.

[rhagz]

New drives should probably (and may require) a full format to put them in NTFS mode.

[Gaiden133]

New drives should probably (and may require) a full format to put them in NTFS mode.

Hmm. My 2nd drive (the 500gb) one seems to be working just fine.. to be honest, I have no idea whether it is in NTFS mode, but it is around 400gb full of hd movies and stuff, works perfectly normal.

[DeaconFrost]

New drives should probably (and may require) a full format to put them in NTFS mode.
Quick format will work just fine for new drives. I honestly don't think I've done a full format since XP gave you the option of quick or full.

[devman]

Quick NTFS format is the way to go, full formats are by and large unnecessary unless your particularly concerned about the integrity of the disk. Format is not a replacement for a disk wiping pattern (Zero's, DoD, etc.) and should not be relied on for destroying sensitive data regardless of quick or full format.

2) Quick format only deletes the file tables, not the data. As you record new data it overwrites the old. If you have sensitive top-secret CIA files on the drive then someone could theoretically steal it and possibly retrieve information. A full format writes 0s to every sector, effectively erasing all information.

This is false, and dangerous misinformation. A full format establishes the file system (like a quick format), but will also check the integrity of the disk.

[Gaiden133]

Quick NTFS format is the way to go, full formats are by and large unnecessary unless your particularly concerned about the integrity of the disk. Format is not a replacement for a disk wiping pattern (Zero's, DoD, etc.) and should not be relied on for destroying sensitive data regardless of quick or full format.

This is false, and dangerous misinformation. A full format establishes the file system (like a quick format), but will also check the integrity of the disk.


In what situation would I then be concerned about the integrity of the disk then? So for my incoming raptor, is it recommended I do quick or regular format?

[DeaconFrost]

If you think the drive has errors on it, or has acted strange in a previous computer, a full format isn't bad to test it out, but you should also use the diag tools made available by the drive manufacturer's website. If it's a new drive, a quick format is just fine.

[devman]

If its a factory new disk, a quick format is sufficient. A full format basically scans the disks and puts markers on sectors that are bad so that they will not be used by the OS. Unless you have reason to suspect the integrity of the disk quick format will get the job done much faster.

[swatbat]

2) Is there a difference between quick format and format when given the option? I hear quick format doesn't remove all of the stuff, but just want to clear up some rumors.

Quick NTFS format is the way to go, full formats are by and large unnecessary unless your particularly concerned about the integrity of the disk. Format is not a replacement for a disk wiping pattern (Zero's, DoD, etc.) and should not be relied on for destroying sensitive data regardless of quick or full format.


What he said. If you have time do a full format though. Pretty much it can help you verify the drive is good.

Why not just get a copy of ghost or true image and just clone your drive over?

If you do a reload just unplug your old drive and run the install with just the new one. Then hook in your old drive to another port. Then you can copy whatever you want over and just format the 320.