cpu and mb upgrade

[slowmike]

do you guys format before or after you install a new processor and mb?

[cjlax5]

sometimes it is a good idea, but you dont HAVE to.

[Malakai]

i usually flash the mobo's bios first, than format
-Malakai

[Yodums]

When installing a new motherboard or processor its best if you format AFTER installing the component. Usually when installing a motherboard you are forced to reinstall since it won't load the OS due to the fact its not detecting your motherboard is anything like the old one. The CPU sometimes doesn't get fully 100% utilized to its potential after a format of the OS.

[Über~PhLuBB]

I wouldn't bother doing it for a new CPU, that's just a simple exchange. But a motherboard would leave all sorts of unwanted drivers clogging things up. I would definately format if I got another new mobo, but nothing is set in stone.

[slowmike]

for a novice, what is the exact procedure on how to format a drive?

[Trap]

If your hdd is already partitioned u have to make a win boot disk.
After that go to BIOS and set the first boot device to floppy.Boot from the disk and choose to boot with cd-rom support.When its all done type:
format c:
thats it..
B sure to backup your data before u format.
If you need more info ask.
gluck

[klosters64a]

Allegedly, if you boot into Safe Mode and remove all the drivers as the last thing you do with the mainboard you're gonna pull out of the box, a new mobo won't give you problems.

I don't think so. The gotcha is: the new mainboard has a brand new BIOS.

A new BIOS mandates the fdisking, followed by formatting of a pre-existing HDD. Formatting alone isn't good enough, IMHO.

You can pretend that a new BIOS has no ill effect on your pre-existing HDD. I did, once. You'll see the most bizarre errors crop up. Give it a try if you can afford the time.