Will i loose files on other drives if i format my C:\ drive?

Question

ok my windows copy is all messed up and infested. i tried a few days to fix it, but no luck. i want to cut my losses and format the drive, and put a fresh copy windows on it. but i have another hard drive that doesnt have any programs on it, but contains about 3000 pictures, and about as many songs. i cant loose these. if i format the C:\ will i loose these files as well? i recall doing this awile back, and i lost everything on every drive because windows made me reformat all drives to use them. if i use a program like true image to backup the stuff and burn it to DVD can i save it if i have to format the drive? what should i do?

Answer 1

The true answer is NO, if you format your C drive and as you say, you have another hard drive, formatting one hard drive will not affect the other. If you are really concerned, remove the second hard drive before reformatting the C drive and then put it back in after your new windows has been installed.

But watch out, and make sure you aren't really dealing with partitions as opposed to physically different drives. You can actually format a single disk to appear as multiple drives. Make sure you are correct in that you do have separate physical disks as opposed to a multi-partitioned single disk. Because you don't format a drive, but you format the DISK in the drive.

Before you do that (if you haven't already tried), fire up the System Restore and pick a date when you think the system was working properly. Sometimes it works and if it does, will save you the heartache of reinstalling windows. Just remember that if it does work, you need to go to windows update and get all the patches that occurred between the system restore date and today...which you would have to do anyway if you reinstalled windows from the original media.

Answer 2

No, you will not lose anything on the other drive; HOWEVER, what you WILL lose is the necessary OS 'references' to the other information such as files, applications etc. (The windows OS's have NOT been able to 'search and install' for applications and files still on the system since windows 3.1!!)

Best to back them up to EXTERNAL media (DVD) and then reload later.

THIS time, AFTER you get everything loaded and the settings all the way you want them, and BEFORE doing anything else; make a FULL SYSTEM backup to SOME form of external media or another HD. (Which may depend on the backup program used!)

That way, IF you have this problem again, you simply format the C: drive, then reload the OS, and restore from the backup using the 'overwrite all files' option.
You SHOULD make periodic backups regularly anyway!!

NOTE:
To be SURE you remove EVERYTHING, first (assuming you have the OS disc, not just a restore set) use the OS disk and boot to DOS, then run "Format C: \u" (which is 'unconditional' and leaves no unformat record), then run "fdisk mbr" (will reset the Master Boot Record in sector one), THEN reload the OS.

IF all you have is a restore set, then the best you can do is follow the directions that came with your system.

Answer 3

I would backup everything to an external hard drive or a dvd. You should not lost everything if you just format the c drive unless the other drive is a partition on that drive. I have done this several times. What you can also try to do (but make sure you back up your files first) is to open up your computer and disconnect the plugs from the drive you don't want formatted, thus keeping it safe. Goodluck.

Answer 4

Ther is no known way of formatting without losing your files. It wipes out everything on your hard drive including whatever viruses and worms you may have. The best thing to do is to create a backup disc of all important files and folders. I'd advise you to scan them for viruses on another pc before loading them back onto your computer. I usually backup everything on my pc including system files just in case something goes wrong after formatting and reinstallation. If you don't know how to do this... pls contact someone who does.

Answer 5

You shoudn't lose any data on other drives or other harddisks if you format C:. There will be one effect though. If you had something installed (programs or something) in your other drive (other than C:), then they will/might not work. As any progam when installed, also copies some files, registry entries and other stuff on C:. So, take notice of any program that you have in other drives and make sure you have backup installers fro those programs (so that you can install them again after you format C: and reinstall OS.

Answer 6

No if you just format the C drive you will not loose the information
on the other drive. I have my system like that. One to install all my program and system file and the other one to save music, documents and pictures. That way if you have any problem you can install windows with no problem of loosing your precious Pictures and music.

Answer 7

if they are on an external hard drive that you can remove from your computer, you're fine, just remove it before you do the reformat.

If you burn them to DVD, you'll have a great backup, and can re-install them at any time. That is the route I went when I had to reformat my computer after it crashed, and I actually love having them on DVD.....just in case....lol!!

Answer 8

If your files are on your C drive and you format yes you will lose them. You can copy them to another Hard drive if you have one or like you said you can just back them all up on CD/DVD's and copy them back to your HD after you format and reinstall windows.

So if they are on your other hard drive, such as D:/ they will be safe

Answer 9

You shouldn't need to reformat the other drive. Backing it up to DVD is a great idea though. That way you can't possibly lose it.

Answer 10

No you will not looose your Data.
You should copy your data on the other hard disk or on any other storage device.
then format the c: Drive and install the windows.
It will be best 4u.