Windows 7: Clean Install on New Laptop

Well, a relatively new laptop. I got a Toshiba Satellite A505 in the beginning of May/end of April and it did not come with a recovery/OEM installation disc. Instead, I was told to make a backup myself. I have a retail Windows 7 Ultimate disc that I used on my desktop, so I cannot use the key that came with that.

However, you can install any version of 7 (aside from architecture-specific installation discs) by deleting "ei.cfg" in the ISO OR changing the version inside of that file. If you delete it, upon installation, you'll be asked what version of Windows you want to install. You still need a proper key for each version. In my case, the laptop has Home Premium.



I'm aware that I'm not able to use an OEM key (the one on the bottom of the laptop) with a retail disc, however, you can change the "channel" in the ei.cfg file from "Retail" to "OEM" and then burn the ISO to a disc to install.

Aside from backing up drivers and utilities (and of course the entire disc), should I be worried about anything before I do this? Because as far as I'm aware it should work. I removed what I could when I first got the laptop using Revo, but A) I'm starting college next month and I want a fresh start and B) Just like with cell phones, I prefer my computers completely stock and uncustomized by OEMs.

PS: Sorry for my inactivity on the forums, I just got a full-time job at a local Allstate office so that's kept me busy for a while.

I would make an image of your current system (and burn the recovery disk) - just in case.
Imaging with free Macrium

Once you have removed ei.cfg, it can be used for Retail or OEM.

Backup with

System Image Recovery
Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Just a thought, don't you have a recovery partition on your laptop where the image of the original installation is? On this partition you should also have everything you need to make the backup they told you about.

I may be wrong though, just a thought!

It doesn't look like it. When I first got it, I took a look around using Partition Magic and it doesn't look like it. I myself was surprised because it's standard practice to include a recovery partition. I checked the manual, and it said "make a backup", but by then it was too late and no longer new. Pretty stupid if you ask me. Yes, I should make a backup, but you would expect them to provide you with some kind of safety net. I'm sure they'd send a disc if I called but I'd rather not waste my time.

I do not have one on my Fujitsu, come with 32,64 Windows 7 disks & Win XP Pro + driver disk.

You're lucky, I didn't get a disc or a recovery partition. That's pretty messed up.

I have always had the disks from Fujitsu.
I got 20 sets with lot Windows 7.

Changing the channel from retail to OEM, or vice versa, is from the XPired era.

Starting with Vista, the retail installer can be used for reinstalling OEM or retail and be unlocked to reinstall your licensed version.

Try to make your Recovery Disks so you have a path back to factory condition, or save a Windows 7 backup image, then you can wipe the HD since the utilities will be useless after clean reinstall and can interfere.

The installer is driver-complete with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates, Any drivers then misssing can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model.

Install programs slowly over time to gauge performance changes. Don't allow any programs to write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they become freeloaders on your RAM and CPU. I only allow AV and gadgets.

After you're set up and running as you like, clean and order the HD perfectly using CCleaner ("Run Cleaner" and Registry tab) and Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers monthly. Then save a Windows 7 backup image so you never have to reinstall again.

Thanks for that first bit. I'm fine setting everything up again, just concerned as far as activation of a retail installation with the OEM key on my current OEM installation.