Re-formatting Question

I have a 3 month old Dell 1550. The Seagate 7200 HD is going bad. Dell shipped me another one. I have to send back the one going bad. Using Macrium Reflect, I created a ghost partition of the C: drive and stashed it away on an external HD. I have the Dell OS reinstallation DVD. I want to make sure that I get rid of everything on the old HD (it still is functioning) before sending it back to Dell. If I reinstall the OS on 'old HD' will it wipe off my data?

After clicking on Install Now and selecting the Primary Disk Partition, I see that there are several options. Certainly, I don't want to create an old disc partition. Other options are to Delete the partition in which case recovery files, system files, etc. are deleted. And, Format where it seems the same things will happen. If I delete or format, will either one of these actions overwrite my files?

Thanks,

 

Format will erase all data on that partition.
It is the best option to use to get rid of user data. Delete does the same exp it deletes the partition but to be on the safe side I would format. You can delete it after you have formatted it but thats up to you.

 

Thanks for the quick response I'll go ahead and follow your advice by formatting.

 

Before sending the OLD drive back to Dell, use the Diagnostics CD to write ZERO'S back to it. This will delete everything on the HD for sure.

I think you should run a diagnostics test on the failing hard drive. Check for bad sectors. Depending on the results, you wouldn't want to transfer the Image over to the new hard drive. For instance, if there are bad sectors on the drive - that's also in the Image. All you're doing is just transferring it over to the new drive.

You're better off just reinstalling the OS fresh on the new HD. Once you get all the drivers & software installed, you can install your programs.

Before making the Image, I'd run Chkdsk one time. Then run Defrag about 5 times. (The first is always longest) Shut the computer down a minute, and then reboot to start the process of making an Image of the HD. I always liked using the Boot CD to make Full Images...because it doesn't boot into the OS.

 

You wrote...

Well, I have not gone that route - at least so far... Your message came arrived just after my intervention. More below on what I did.

Okay. Here is what I did after the 4th episode in which I heard distinct clicking sounds (rubbing/friction of two plates?). I had to force a shut down then I booted up in F12. I began running a diagnostics test. I couldn't find any bad sectors. As you know, diagnosing a bad HD can sometimes be problematic. I have to say at the onset that aside from these 4 incidences, I have not observed any problems running programs, booting up, freakish crashes, etc. Still....that sound and the freeze ups were enough to rattle me.

In the end, you may be right. Time will tell. I did 'successfully' reinstall the ghost partition. I have to say that Macrium is a really good utility. My settings - desktop - even the sticky notes all are there. Since I haven't yet tested all of my programs so there is no way of knowing what may have gotten broken.
I am currently running a series of memory tests (with the new HD installed). Looks like the process takes over 30 minutes. Nothing unusual to report.

I did perform several Defrags employing Auslogics Disc Defrag. What a great tool! Then I made the image. The drill I went through in order to create an image was governed by Macrium Reflect. I made a Rescue CD. I opened it up in F12 and that is how I recovered my Ghost partition.

Thanks.

 

I'd use the actual Diagnostics CD from the HD manufacturer. It checks each sector on the HD better. Chkdsk, and F12 tests are more for software bad sectors (software not writing to sectors correctly) When reinstalling Windows, I always write Zeros to the drive, and then do a scan on the drive to make sure things are good to go. Western Digital has the best Diagnostics CD I've seen. That's why I love WD so much.

I may give Macrium a try. Heard a lot of good things about it. But I've used Acronis True Image forever now, and never experienced programs being broken when the Image is restrored.