Preloaded Win7: Need help with formatting hard disk & reinstallation!!

Hi All,

I am neither too technical nor a computer illiterate... I request you all to help me accordingly...

My Lenovo laptop came with preloaded Windows7 64 bit OS and MS Office 2010. I was not given any CDs for softwares or Drivers at all. It came with 2 partitions: C Drive of 275GB and D drive of 175GB. I wish to make separate partitions for windows and data storage i.e. I want C drive of about 75GB and the remaining 375GB to be D drive (just to be more organised)

Here are my questions:

a) If I have to format my entire hard disk, and make partitions according to my convenience, how should I install the OS? I mean, I know how to install an operating system from a bootable CD. But how should I make a fresh installation on a pre loaded system and how do I go about formatting the disk?

b) Doesnt pre loaded software mean it is stored on the hard disk? How do I know where it is stored?

c) If I format the hard disk completely and make fresh partitions, am I not losing the OS and MS Office softwares? What should I do to keep it but still make the desired changes successfully?

d) I assume that the pre loaded softwares can be taken out into DVDs? If yes, how do I do it? And is it possible for me to make the softwares pre-loaded again, after formatting the disk?

e) I have the product key for my Windows 7 OS mentioned at the bottom of my laptop. I do not have any product keys for MS Office 2010 that also came as a preloaded software on this system! So if I do a fresh installation, where should I find the product key for MS Office 2010?


Thanks in advance!!
Shree

Answers to your specific questions:

a) If you want to format and partition then install windows, you'll need a win7 disk. Your system did not come with an OS disk so it becomes somewhat of an issue- your options are to borrow a disk from a friend or download an iso off the internet at your own risk. If you can get hold of a disk, you just need to boot from it, format the hard drive per choice then do a clean install, then activate with the sticker key.

If you dont feel upto all this the best option is to expand/shrink partitions per choice- use partition wizard because that gives more flexibility compared to windows disk management. You can remove any oem bloatware/trialware in Programs&Features.

Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

Unless you're having serious performance issues, I suggest you take the 2nd choice.

b) The preloaded software including the OS is stored on a hidden recovery partition on the hard drive. You can restore to factory state by tapping F11 (consult your manual, it may be a different key for your model) at boot, then choosing recovery. All OEM computers come with a preinstalled recovery software that lets you create recovery disks- these serve the same factory restore purpose but are handy if the hard drive cannot be booted from etc. Create these ASAP.

c) If you do a clean install windows after formatting the hard drive, you'll loose everything. I already talked about this at a) above.

d) The preloaded softwares will be automatically reinstalled when you do a factory restore from the hidden partition or the recovery disks.

e) Check what version of MS office this is - it may be Office Starter. Starter is a free version which doesnt need a key and only comes preinstalled (cant be bought in a shop). If yours is starter, again it'll be restored when you factory restore. If its a trial version of full Office 2010, then it'll expire in a while and you'll need to buy a copy.

If you've already bought the preinstalled Office Trial Version, then you should have the Product Key in your confirmation email. You can also audit all installed Software Product Keys using
Belarc Advisor - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

You don't mention if you have any problems which are prompting you to want to recover or reinstall. If so we can help you with these issues.

Here are tips for getting a perfect clean reinstall of factory OEM: Reinstalling Windows 7

Until then, here are tips for cleaning up factory bloatware: Clean up factory bloatware

And here are general troubleshooting steps for Win7.