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Storage forum: Will I have to format used HDD for Dell inspiron 5150

by: JFCreally April 3, 2012 11:51 AM PDT

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Will I have to format used HDD for Dell inspiron 5150

by JFCreally - 4/3/12 11:51 AM

I bought a used Dell inspiron 5150 w/ a 40gb ATA 2.5" Fujitsu HDD. I am looking at a Hitachi Travelstar 5K80 ATA 2.5" that has a bunch of stuff installed.

Would I have to format it though for my computer to recognize it, thus deleting all the installed software?


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I would. WHY?

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 4/3/12 11:59 AM

In Reply to: Will I have to format used HDD for Dell inspiron 5150 by JFCreally

Since I can copy the content out there is no reason to lose any files on the drive. But my experience is that any format can be corrupt so I always want to start with a fresh drive. No partitions, create one then format it.

That way, some nasty lessons are avoided.
Bob


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by JFCreally - 4/3/12 1:08 PM

In Reply to: I would. WHY? by R. Proffitt Moderator

Well the reason I ask, is because it has Photoshop CS5 installed on it. If I wanted a New HDD I could purchase one w/ more GB for around the same price. Just wanted to know if I had to format it or not.


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It's a non-issue. Why?

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 4/3/12 1:36 PM

In Reply to: .. by JFCreally

Because we can backup what's on the HDD prior to the fresh partition and format. I've lost count of folk wondering why a pre-formatted drive sometimes has trouble.

And the second reason is that your license to CS5 have never depended on it being installed on that external HDD. My license is my key and DVD from Adobe (which I made a backup copy.)
Bob


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