Reinstalling W7 on Laptop From Friend - Not Sure Which Install Type

Hey Guys,

The computer seems to be running great thus far, I'm just going through the lenovo support site and downloading drivers, just had a thought though... Maybe I should use Acronis to make a disk image of the state I am right now before I install any software aside from M$ Office and whatnot. I figure it is pointless to have like Firefox and iTunes as they will need to be updated by the time I restore my laptop...

What is the best way to capture my drive as it is right now and put it on my 500gb external and my Apple TC? I mean what is the best software and option to use to create a fully restorable image that I can use in say 6 months if need be? I'm thinking of just cloning the disk, does that make an image or would it copy the file structure as is and I could just put that all in a file on my TC and external HDD?

Thanks so much for the help yesterday guys!


-Mike

What programs would you recommend putting on before creating the image? Firefox? iTunes? AVG? or is it best to just do it right after the drivers are installed?


Thx,

Mike

Gregrocker, thanks for the create info on reinstalling W7.

I'm on this step now;

"When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner Disk and Registry tabs, then Puran boot-time defragger + full Disk Check after adding Intelligent Optimizer on Additional Operations tab:
CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
http://download.cnet.com/Puran-Defra...-75115626.html

Finally save a Windows 7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD (or replacement) using DVD/Repair CD with the stored image. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup"

Any more information you suggest I do before creating my backup image?


Thx!

Okay so I am running Belarc now so I can compare and make sure I have the majority of the drivers installed.

What exactly should I be doing with CCcleaner?

~EDIT~ Do you really recommend the M$ AV over say AVG Free? I've used AVG for a few years now and really like it, but if it has a bunch of stuff running that isn't really needed I'll go with M$ AV... This is a small laptop after all so I really want to have as little running as possible...

Thx,

Mike

I haven't used AVG free myself, but I have used MSE and it works well for me. Hasn't interfered in anything, or created any kind of problem really.

Check optional Windows Updates now for newer drivers.

Check the Device Manager for any missing drivers. Find them on the Support Downloads webpage for your model device or computer.

Use MSE or Avast 6, not AVG. No one here recommends AVG bloatware.

Open CCLeaner, click Run Cleaner button. Then on the Registry tab on left hand side, Check for Issues, and Fix Issues, saving the backup when prompted.

Next run Puran defragger with Intelligent Optimizer selected on the Additonal Operations tab. Click the Boot Time Defrag button and select Defrag + Full DIsk Check, restart, takes about an hour or more depending upon the size of HD.

Okay done that.

I just checked if W7 was activated and it said 2 more days until auto-activation so I clicked activate now and it tells me my product key isn't vallide... It was for the install that was on here before, I don't get it.


Thx

I did the pro install and the key didn't work so I did the Ultimate install. I got the Ultimate to activate fine over the phone so I guess all is well.

I might make a second image after I put my iTunes and everything on the computer, but what would be the best way to do that as my iTunes library is over 200GB with my Movies? I would need to compress it a good amount to make it worth it...

I had another point in posting this as I thought of another question, but I completely forget what it is now!

~EDIT~ I thought of it! Before I reinstalled Windows when I would adjust the volume with the keys next to the power button and a little volume bar would come up on the screen, same for brightness and if I turned the wificard on/off, what Lneovo software do you think I need to reinstall to get that back? THX!

-Mike

Hi Mike -

You'll need to check the Lenovo Support Downloads webpage for your model for software which provides the extra keyboard functions. You'll need to put in a more exact model number than the one given in your first post to get a refined list of drivers for Win7, but I'd start with the Keyboard Hotkeys software and it's Patch both in the general list. http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/default.page?

Further, I would study each software listing for your exact model to see what features are offered which might be missing and/or needed with the driver you have installed now, or need to be added on top of the driver.

Are there any drivers missing in Device Manager?

Did you save your Music folder, which is where ITunes stores the actual music files? The Itunes install is just for it's software interface to the music.