Formatting Windows 7 Questions

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  1. dynamite140
    Posts : 149
    Windows 7
       New #1

    Formatting Windows 7 Questions


    hey guys. I have a desktop that was bought from dell brand new last year. Its an i5-750m processor 4gb ram 7200rpm hard drive. I noticed that the day i got it, it was really slow. Takes a while for programs to load and firefox always frozed. Even when i use explorer, it takes so long and my computer lags so much.

    I want to format my desktop now. I just want to make sure that under my circumstances, just follow the tutorial correct? My windows 7 is 64 bit. I don't mind erasing everything from my computer and starting brand new with nothing in it. How would i be able to do this if i cannot find my windows 7 cd? I am not sure but i dont think dell gave me a format cd for windows 7. I will look for it later today but i am positive i didn't get one.

    Can someone answer my questions? And about how long would it take to do the format? I also have an asus laptop that i bought last year and bought the recovery cd for it that allow you to format windows 7. Would i be able to use that cd on my dell desktop?
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  3. Bill2
    Posts : 5,056
    Windows 7 x64 pro/ Windows 7 x86 Pro/ XP SP3 x86
       New #2

    The asus recovery CD will not work on the dell computer. But you can restore the dell to factory state (the way it came out of the box) using the recovery partition. Make sure you back up any critical data beforehand.

    Restoring Your Dell Computer to Original Factory Installation with Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 - KB Article - 353562 | Dell

    If you want to clean install windows, you'll need a regular win7 install disk. You can borrow it from a friend or google to find a clean iso online. Install the same edition as the one that came preinstalled on your computer, then activate using the sticker key.

    Clean Install Windows 7

    Make sure you create recovery disks first using the dell datasafe program, you can restore to factory state at any time using these disks.
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  4. Bare Foot Kid
    Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       New #3

    Hello.


    Here's some other information to expand on what Bill has suggested and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.


    After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media; if you can find an exact Windows version that the PC shipped with you can do a clean install using the activation key on the COA sticker attached to the PC though it may require a robo-call to MS to sort the OEM batch-key.

    How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone


    If you can't find an exact same version, you could use the info in this tutorial to create an "all versions" installer of any version Windows installer, to install using the same method I posted above.

    Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create


    After you have made backups of everything you care to save, the best method is to do a complete wipe (secure erase) of the entire Hard Disk Drive first, it over-writes everything, all the old Windows code including all the old drivers/programs, giving you the best possible space to install Windows to.

    SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
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  6. theog
    Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       New #4

    How to use Dell Recovery, & how to order Recovery Disks.
    Dell - Support
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  7. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #5

    I would make the Dell Recovery Disks so you have a backup method, then run the Recovery Partition using the steps given by Bill2. See if this improves performance after cleaning up the factory bloatware a bit following these steps: HP laptop has used up all four primary partitions

    If not find a Win7 installer for your version and clean reinstall Win7 to wiped HD following these tips to get a purrfect reinstall of factory OEM: re-install windows 7
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  8. dynamite140
    Posts : 149
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Hey guys. I checked and the cd i got is Dell Drivers and Utilities CD. How can i format my desktop since i didn't receive a windows 7 cd from dell? Or is this the cd?

    It shows at the bottom For reinstalling Dell studio xps 8100 computer software but I'm pretty sure this isn't the format cd right?
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  10. Bare Foot Kid
    Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       New #7

    Hello again.


    That CD will not install Windows at all; if you need to reinstall see my post #3 above for the relevant information.
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  11. theog
    Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       New #8

    Bill2 said:
    The asus recovery CD will not work on the dell computer. But you can restore the dell to factory state (the way it came out of the box) using the recovery partition. Make sure you back up any critical data beforehand.

    Restoring Your Dell Computer to Original Factory Installation with Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 - KB Article - 353562 | Dell

    If you want to clean install windows, you'll need a regular win7 install disk. You can borrow it from a friend or google to find a clean iso online. Install the same edition as the one that came preinstalled on your computer, then activate using the sticker key.

    Clean Install Windows 7

    Make sure you create recovery disks first using the dell datasafe program, you can restore to factory state at any time using these disks.
    theog said:
    How to use Dell Recovery, & how to order Recovery Disks.
    Dell - Support
    Have you read the Dell information?
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  12. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #9

    dynamite140 said:
    Hey guys. I checked and the cd i got is Dell Drivers and Utilities CD. How can i format my desktop since i didn't receive a windows 7 cd from dell? Or is this the cd?

    It shows at the bottom For reinstalling Dell studio xps 8100 computer software but I'm pretty sure this isn't the format cd right?
    Please read and follow the steps which we took the time to write out for you here, don't just ignore them.

    Dell Factory Recovery is quite good and may solve your problems. If not find a clean copy installation DVD for your version to clean reinstall following the steps posted.

    Back up your files first.
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  13. dynamite140
    Posts : 149
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #10

    hey guys thanks. I asked this on another forum and they told me all i had to do was this if i don't have the cd.

    Windows 7 Recovery Partition - Windows 7

    Would this method be a lot easier? The steps seem to be very simple.
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