Install gone bad among other problems

I posted earlier about a problem with windows activation and a "counterfeit software" problem with win 7137. after finding no solution i decided id just do a clean install, and move to 7201. after the install, which was supposed to be clean. ( i chose the custom install option. not upgrade) i found that all of my old desktop gadgets were still there. then l noticed i had 2 recycle bins. and looking closer, i actually have 2 task bars. one of them is behind the other with all my old quick launch icons. all my old desktop shortcuts are still on the desktop but they dont work of course. i went into c: drive and saw a windows.old file. not the first time i found this backup of an old windows when doing a clean install with windows 7. it's annoyed me in the past but usually i would just delete it and everything was fine. im no newbie nor an expert, but ive installed everything from xp to win 7 and many linux disros hundreds of times and have never seen anything like this before. anyone have any idea. i no im going to be doing another install, but how can i avoid these backups. i want this install to be clean. isnt there an option on the win 7 disk to format the drive. if there is i must have missed it. if anyone can help or explain this it would be very much appreciated. and thanks in advance.

problem solved. i should have looked more before i posted.