Questions Regarding HDD Wipe of Dell Studio laptop and W7 Installation

Good Evening Everyone,

This is Chris again and a few months back this community was a great help in resolving a number of issues in regards to a new computer that I had built. That computer has done nothing but run wonderfully since the assistance that you all provided for me. I have a new project on my hands and I trust that your expertise in regards to everything computer related would be of invaluable assistance.

I have an old Dell Studio 1747 Laptop (from 2008-9) that I want to wipe and do a clean install of windows on. When I bought the computer it was running Windows Vista (unfortunately) and I upgraded it to Windows 7 Home Premium when it was released. I have the Windows Vista installation disk (I believe its somewhere in the house, I would just have to find it following my recent move). Additionally I should also have the upgrade disk that I bought for Windows 7. My question isn't so much in regards to how I should wipe the computer. I intend on using (Wiping Hard Drive Clean to Install Windows 7) the Wiping Hard Drive Clean to Install Windows 7 forum post to assist with that process. My question is in regards to the installation portion of the process. How would I go about that? Should I reinstall Vista and then run the upgrade disk again? If I am unable to locate the disk is there an alternative method? Can I just install Windows 7 right away and if so where would I locate a product key for the verification? Someone was saying that the motherboard of the laptop is forever connected to the product keys that I used. Is that the actual case? Would a product key be necessary than?

I know this is quite a wall of text and I apologize, I just prefer full explanations than quick questions. To aid in providing as much detail as I possibly can. I want to wipe my laptop because it has been bogged down and I have never done it over the five or so years that I have owned the machine. Additionally, for my norton antivirus that I have for the computer. Will it be lost in the wipe? Just a side question there if anyone knows. Thank you so much to anyone who offers assistance and advice. I appreciate your help so much and I am sorry for taking up anyone's time.

Best Regards,
Chris

It isn't necessary to have Vista on the HD to reinstall Win7 Upgrade version. When you boot the installer it will see an underlying OS on the drive - even if you delete all partitions as you should during install to create new - and allow use of Upgrade version key.

Nor is it necessary to wipe the HD unless you have installation issues which can be resolved by running Diskpart Clean Command from the installer's Command Line. Otherwise just boot into the DVD to do a Custom Install, during install delete all partitions and create New as you wish. That should be clean enough. Wiping is only for resolving specific issues or making data unrecoverable, overkill otherwise.

In addition follow these same steps to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 for the tools and methods which work best with Win7. The latest official installer with SP1 (saving hours of updating) is provided in Step 1. Use your licensed version.

If you do decide to wipe the HD before install then you'll need to leave the key blank during install, afterwards do the quick registry workaround in Option 3 of Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version in order to activate upgrade version on a wiped or new HD.

Hello Greg!

Thank you so much for your help. I will follow your advice and avoid the overkill and just do a clean install using a boot disk. The only other question I have then would be the one regarding Norton Anti Virus. Will I lose that in the reinstall. I don't believe I can download anymore copies from the Norton website, my siblings and I all take one of the three keys. If so, no big deal, I will just use Security Essentials but it couldn't hurt asking you. Thank you again and in advance!

Best,
Chris

If you're using one of those keys on the PC you're reinstalling then you're entitled to reinstall it. You don't lose it just because you reinstall. It only means you can only have it installed on 3 PC's at a time.

However if you stick with the tools which work best for WIn7 in the tutorial you'll use the AV recommended since Norton is still considered bloatware by many of us.

Thank you so much Greg, everything has worked out as smooth as can be and I am currently using the laptop with ease. Again, thank you a million times over.

Best,
Chris

Glad to hear it, Chris. Enjoy WIn7 and keep these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 handy to go over your install to learn more about WIn7.