Hey guys I tried to do a few searches but haven't been able to get my question answered. I have a computer that I built a little over a year ago. My question is can I reformat it and install a fresh version of windows on it? From what I have read all you have to do is put in the Windows CD into the computer and restart the computer and it should start the process. My question though is will I need to reinstall drivers? This was a custom built pc so I have the motherboard disk should this have anything I would need to finish the reformatting process? I know I will lose all data on my computer I will back it all up to an ext hd before I do this please help thank you.
Reformatting Gaming Custom Computer
- Thread starter spartikus
- Start date
mtb211
Active Member
Well, the network driver is the most vital so you can download all new drivers after you reformat. I have windows 7 and it found all but one of my drivers, so yes you will probally be missing quite a few drivers, but once your on the internet it should be easy to find them.
Open your device manager, right click on any yellow question mark and hit update drivers, allow the computer to look on the internet, if that does not work you will need to individually install your drivers
Open your device manager, right click on any yellow question mark and hit update drivers, allow the computer to look on the internet, if that does not work you will need to individually install your drivers
Bodaggit23
Active Member
Yes, you can reformat and reinstall as long as you still have your Operating System disc and CD Key.
Your motherboard disc will have all the necessary drivers for your motherboard.
You will need graphics drivers for any additional graphics cards.
alright guys i went and put the windows cd in my drive and just reinstalled windows from there but now my computer has no desktop icons except the recycle bin wtf? i tried to go to bios and put start windows from the cd rom but it won't let me do this i just want to be able to erase everything and reinstall windows why is this so difficult?
mtb211
Active Member
You only have the one icon because you will need to reinstall your software, if you want Microsoft office to be on your desktop your going to have to reinstall... if you did not reformat, then you can go into your C:\programfiles\XXX xxx being the program you want, right click on the exe file you want, create a shortcut to destop 
I guess my problem is why didn't it automatically put the icons that come with windows on the desktop for instance when i first installed windows for the very first time the desktop had all my icons meaning just the windows icons and now that i have reinstalled it none of the icons showed up other than the recycle bin. i don't expect the lime wire or other icon to be there i know that would have to be reinstalled by just the windows icons.
realmike15
New Member
whoever set up that computer for you most likely install everything and then sent it to you. if you want to avoid this in the future, you should get yourself an external HD. install every application you want, get everything set exactly how you like it. then take a HD copying program, and do a true copy of the drive so that it's bootable. then anytime you want to reinstall and start fresh, all you'll have to do is copy that external drive to your computer BAM perfect install with everything you want.