Fresh Install - format?

AP88 · 25 Aug 2010

Hi everyone!

I have searched and didn't find much to answer my question. I recently got a new Lenovo netbook that came with Win 7. I decided to upgrade my current laptop with Win 7. I wanted to do a fresh install, but I wasn't able to format my drive. My laptop is an LG P1 Pro laptop.

During the installation, the option to format the drive was greyed out and the partition was named as a system drive . I decided to proceed anyway and I was able to still install Windows 7. The old files were put into a windows.old folder. I also suspect there may be a hidden recovery partition for windows xp. I'll have to look into that when I get home (I'm at work).

Now, I still want a fresh install. What steps should I take?

Basic Specs
-Core duo 1.83 Ghz
-1gb ram
-100 gb HDD
-ATI Radeon X1400

Thank you!

richc46 · 25 Aug 2010

Do it over, this time boot from the DVD, not the OS.
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version[2]=General Tips

Bare Foot Kid · 25 Aug 2010

Hello AP88, welcome to Seven forums!

Will you please post a snip/screen-shot of the entire disk management drive map so we can see what you have going on as there may be a fairly simple way to resolve the situation.

In the Windows start menu right click computer and click manage, in the left pane of the "Computer Management" window that opens click disk management and post a snip of that.

How to Post a Screenshot in Seven Forums

AP88 · 25 Aug 2010

@richc46 - I installed via DVD the first time, but I'll try again using the guide.

@BFK - I will take a pic when I get home from work

Thank you for your replies. :)

karlsnooks · 25 Aug 2010

that pic is very important so that we can give you the best advice. Looking forward to the pic.

AP88 · 25 Aug 2010

Hi guys,

Sorry for the delay with the picture. Hope this helps. :)

Thank you again for the replies. This forum is very helpful so far!

eldinv · 26 Aug 2010

I'm confused, you want to re-install Windows 7, the one in the picture?

Bare Foot Kid · 26 Aug 2010

Hello again.

If there is nothing at all on the PC that you want to save, if there is make a backup of that before you proceed; use this first tutorial at the link below to do a "clean all" of the entire Hard Disk Drive (HDD) it will over-write everything on the HDD and give you a clean slate to install Windows 7 to; there is no hidden XP partition at all.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7

Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Carl Lawrence · 26 Aug 2010

I'm a bit

, if you want to re-install Windows 7. You cannot format the drive unless you do a clean install.

karlsnooks · 26 Aug 2010

Reading of the links listed by Bare Foot will provide you with insight.