Reformatting with two hard drives

[RicKuRuKuS]

Hey guys I am about to reformat my computer before the release of all these great PC games such as HL2 and World of Warcraft, but anyways that isn't the point... I currently have 2 80GB hard drives in my computer. One is for all my programs and software that is installed, the other is all my backed up information (mods, patches, updates, pictures, documents, etc. etc.). I need to just reformat the hard drive with all the programs on it but not lose anything from my backed up hard drive. How do I do this and what are the steps? I have reformatted hard drives before but not with two hard drives in at the same time.... I just want a nice, fresh, clean install before games come out so my computer runs super smooth...

-warsaw

 

[Buckus]

You can always take out the hard drive with all the data before you do the install. Otherwise, when you install Windows, you'll have to choose which drive to format, and that will depend on your ability to differentiate the two in the setup program. Naming them beforehand will help. Give the data drive the name "Data" and the OS drive the name "Windows" before shutting down, and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[The_Mage18]

I agree with the above post. If you're paranoid, disconnect your data drive's data cable. I'd like ot see Windows access it through just the power cable.

 

[motithejrt]

Windows install will let you choose which drive you want to install/format on. Like the others said, if you are really that paranoid, unplug the power from the data drive.