Windows 7: Re-Install Tips?

Tomorrow I'm Reinstalling my computer. Its a extra risky re isntall because i have a odd setup where i have 2 HDS for installed programs. Getting it all to work again might be tricky, but i hope not.



So far ive downloaded drivers and ninite, and used belarc advisor. Ive also backed up all my data and about to create a image of my C: drive. Any other top tips you wise people have for me?

Clean Install Windows 7

Hello Xisuma.



The best thing if you are able is to disconnect all Hard Disk Drives (HDD) except the one you intend to install to and all other peripherals, i.e. printers and such like, then after the install and all is booting good, power down and reconnect everything as usual and install any needed drivers.
Be sure to post back with any further questions and to keep us updated.

Also have a look at the info below.

   Information

After you have made backups of everything you care to save and you want to do a real wipe "clean all" to the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) have a look at this tutorial at the link below, it over-writes everything, all the old Windows code including all the old Windows drivers, giving you the best possible space to install Windows 7 to; it goes hand-in-hand with a clean install.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7

Perhaps you should explain a bit more your unusual setup plan with programs on separate HD.

It is not recommended to put programs on a separate partition from Windows 7 as programs write keys to the registry that integrate them to the OS until uninstalled.

A better method is to place your User folders on separate partition, or separate HD to benefit from another reader. User Folders - Change Default Location

This also makes your Windows 7 backup image smaller so you can reimage just the OS to it's partition if necessary and your files are all in place, current, ready to go.

I make music on my computer. So i have music software and VSTs on the E:\ drive and windows and normal programs on the C:\ , It seemed like a good idea to seperate them, and now i can't undo this because all my songs need the file structure on the E:\ to locate settings, vst and samples etc..

Gregrocker is right. And it shouldn't be too difficult to change your current directories from within the software or configuration files. Just give it a shot. You could always go back if you have trouble.

You will need to reinstall the programs anyway, so I would take this opporunity to correctly install them on the same C; drive as OS.

You can keep your data files on the separate drive to see if they are correctly referenced by the programs, linking them to correct User folders by the method in User Folders - Change Default Location tutorial, or by rightclicking on file/folder to include in the relevant library.

In Windows 7, Documents for example is a User folder which can be placed on the drive you want using tutorial, and is also a Library which can include any file/folder simply by rightclicking to Add to Library.

This will become more evident after you reinstall and setup. But you will not be able to keep programs already on the separate HD as programs always need to be reinstalled.

Best tips have already been given; for re-installation use the following tutorial:
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation - Windows 7 Forums

When creating your OS partition give yourself plenty of room if your planning on installing a lot of music application. (Checkout Reminder) Nothing less than 200GB and you should be fine.

For creating your DATA partition, look at these two tutorials.
Data Partition - Windows 7 Forums and the User Folders - Change Default Location.

At minimum you should have at least these two partitions and one more for system image backups, preferably to a secondary drive.


Post installation!
Before installing Windows updates, antivirus and your applications, create a system image, even before activation. I prefer using Macrium Reflect but the choice is yours.
How to Create a System Image in Windows 7 - How-To Geek
Macrium Reflect is a Free and Easy To Use Backup Utility - How-To Geek

Just a reminder!
Windows 7 is not like Windows XP. It 100% user ready post installation. So, there's no need for useless applications that do more harm than good. Keep it clean and simple and you shall find Windows 7 to be the best EVER!

Good Luck,