Reformatting HDD: should I unplug my usb devices?

[UNiCRON]

I plan on reformatting my hard drive. When I originally installed my usb devices (printer, external hdd, etc.), the setup software instructed me to not plug the usb cable until prompted. In order for me to unplug the usb cables now, I would have to pull out my desk in order to get access to the back of my PC. There's so many wires back there, it's gonna be a pain.

I was wondering, is it really necessary to unplug the cables? Could I get away with just turning on the devices when it prompts me to connect the usb cables (with the cable already plugged in)?

[rallynavvie]

If you're re-installing Windows I would because they're going to jump all over themselves trying to be the first installed and you're going to get something messed up in there.

[guns1inger]

Some devices are powered through the USB port, and will power up as soon as windows detects a presence

[UNiCRON]

Okay, thanks for the replies. Sounds like it's best if I unplug the cables.

[Faustus]

Its for the best to do so actually, but not likely to be earth shattering except in rare circumstances.

[ROF]

Since upgrading to WinXP several years ago I never unplug my devices when re-formating and re-installing the OS. Windows XP finds all my devices, installs drivers, and my hardware is ready to use.

[kosekjm]

Hey there,

Hope you haven't formatted yet. I unplug my printers on any XP reinstalls that I do. This is from XP not properly recognizing the HP printer that I have if I leave it plugged in during the install.

Having said that, you really don't need to unplug the cables from the back of the computer. Just unplug them from the device itself, that should eliminate the need to crawl behind the desk.

[iant]

Just a little extra reason to unplug your USB devices.

If your printer, or any other device for that matter, has a card reader built in, that device initializes as your primary drive. You think you've installed fine and reboot the machine and try to install something else and it can't find Drive C. You bring up Windows Explorer and find Windows is on Drive E.
Only option......wipe it, pull the plug on the device and try again.

I tripped over this while working as a Dell onsite tech. Very embarassing when you think you've finished to have to go back to square 1.

Have fun,
Ian

[SLK001]

Only option......wipe it, pull the plug on the device and try again.

Wipe it? Why didn't you just call up ADMIN TOOLS/COMPUTER MANAGEMENT/STORAGE/DISK MANAGEMENT and just remap the drives? Seems to me to be a whole lot less work.

[waheed]

Only option......wipe it, pull the plug on the device and try again.
Ian

Not neccessarily. If your using Windows XP, you can change drive letters from Computer Management. Unplug any USB devices such as media card readers etc...

Go into Control Panel --> Administrative Tools --> Computer Management

then go into Storage --> Disk Management and right click on the hard disk drive, and there will be an option for "Change drive letter and paths".

Change the hard disk back to C drive if it was assigned a different letter during setup. Problem solved.

EDIT: seems like SLK001 got there before me as I was typing this.