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Is reformating hard on SSD drives?

1086 Views 13 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  pistons50
Just wondering because I was thinking about going to 7
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Just do a quick format, and not a full format
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Well assuming reformatting is the same on a SSD as it is with a regular HDD.

All you do is change the boot sequence to DVD, restart and have the CD in the tray, hit enter multiple time, and then it'll take you to the install screen.

There when choosing pick advanced and you'll see the hard drives there, then at the bottom should be an option to reformat and then you chose which HDD you want by highlighting and click the reformat button, keep the HDD highlighted and click Next.

(Sorry if this isn't what you wanted)
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With a sandforce drive it is recommended to run hdd erase before installing windows a second time.Can be a little tricky for the average user.
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personally i will do a clean secure erase, using gpart or magicpart (think thats what its called) to get all the performance back if lost any. and ur good to go again
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I'd be going from vista to seven so shouldn't I do a full install boot up from the DVD?
I'd do a full just in case if something were to somehow be missed in the format.

EDIT: Yeah you boot up from the CD and then the options to install are there, just choose advanced for reformatting. After you reformat your HDD should be wiped of the old OS.
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All you need to do is a installation where you set your partitions and format the drive. You will be fine. If you are worried in any way, you can venture into the world of low level formatting but a simple google will show you that there are those that regret that.
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Quote:

Originally Posted by djsi38t View Post
With a sandforce drive it is recommended to run hdd erase before installing windows a second time.Can be a little tricky for the average user.
Thanks djsi38t this is what I need to do even though I ended up figuring it out myself after all the answers I got here, but thanks guys I still repped you too.

Anyhow it isn't to much different than flashing a videocard which I've done a few before except your erasing the SSD and plugging the SSD in while booted in DOS and from what I've read the Vertex 2 Sandforce then is reset to new like the day you bought it

Anyhow that's good to know.

EDIT: Oh yeah it's running perfect on Vista but since 7 is setup for SSD's may aswell and I got a really good deal on the full retail OS.
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Not any different from an HDD format.

If you want to make the drive completely blank again, you need to do a Secure Erase.. which is different from a format and significantly trickier.

I don't think there is much point however, if you set up Windows 7, when you format the drive, it issues a TRIM command to wipe the entire drive... whether or not the drive does anything with that TRIM is up to the drive, but Windows has done it's bit.

I wouldn't worry about it, and just when you're installing, delete the old partition(s), and then choose to install to the unallocated space, which Win 7 Setup will then partition and format for you.
So your saying not to execute a HDD erase through DOS?
You might be right in not taking the extra step but I'm still going to it's not that big of a deal anyhow that's what OCZ suggest doing if you want it totally wipped and restored to factory condition, as for most people I'm sure they wouldn't or wouldn't know how to.
i do suggest doing a secure erase to clear the memory cells of data.
its does slow down the ssd over time.
Quote:

Originally Posted by USFORCES View Post
So your saying not to execute a HDD erase through DOS?
You might be right in not taking the extra step but I'm still going to it's not that big of a deal anyhow that's what OCZ suggest doing if you want it totally wipped and restored to factory condition, as for most people I'm sure they wouldn't or wouldn't know how to.
I didn't say not too, actually if I had one of those, I'm pedantic and a bit OCD so I probably would LOL
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I think it is pointless to partition and ssd. I use ssd for boot drive and hdd for storage and it doesn't take long at all and is very simple. Same as formatting an hdd.
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