repair install

Thanks for the link for WD. It came up clean also.

The inside of the computer is clean.

"Clean boot ... what's the delay?" If memory serves me correctly after all various tasks I have performed, I began a clean boot and canceled the process when I reached a message stating that the operation is irreversible. I did not want to trap myself into a position where I could not revert to the previous settings if I did not like the results.

I am now convinced that the clean install is the solution. I have always wondered why independent repair shops don't perform repair installations. Now I know. There is no way they can be profitable while charging a price the average customer will pay.

I need to take time to inventory all programs and product keys not included in Belarc, sift through files to see which ones I want to keep, backup browser settings, and recover information (password, etc. I think. I will ask a question about that below.) to renew Internet and Homegroup connections.

I do have a few questions that the tutorials and research have not left me with a clear understanding of.

Is the bootable ISO file on my flash drive reusable?

Since I have deleted/expanded C:, is that good enough; or do I need to use DBAN (or something similar) to start with a blank slate (drive)? I have read the Recover Space Used by an Older OS tutorial and don't know if my previous work will leave me with some non-contiguous space which will be impossible to use.

The tip section of the How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7 tutorial says to save all device drivers. Are these all in one directory, or do I need to export registry keys?

Why would I want to have a 100MB System Reserved partition?

Where do I find files or registry keys to establish my Internet connection or recover my router password without going back through my notes to find it? Is there a down and dirty procedure to join the Homegroup again? --OR-- Do I need to perform these tasks manually?

There are two Lenovo programs that I would like to keep or replace with equivalent free programs, finger print biometrics and port locker. Do you have a recommendation?

From here I will begin the preliminary tasks and pose questions if anything is unclear.

Thanks for your patience.
drpepper

For the fifth time here are the steps to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. Everything you need is in tutorial.

Please read over the steps and then ask questions which are mostly answered within.

The 100mb is so insignificant it is not worth commenting upon. Just ignore it.

You can reuse the ISO file to burn DVD or write flash stick as often as you want.

I would wipe your HD with Diskpart Clean Command from the installer just before reinstall accessing DISKPART At PC Startup.

Check the Lenovo Support Downloads webpage for your model to see if they have the software available for the two programs you want to keep. If not google them to see how others have dealt with it. Be sure to make your Lenovo Recovery disks in case you need to go back to factory Install.

Please understand that I have only been using a computer for about two and a half years. This is the causes of my many questions. Following link to link to link to ... within the tutorials amounts to reading what is probably well over 100 pages of printed material. The steep learning curve over the short period of time does not qualify me as an expert -- yet. I am attempting to fully understand all of the tasks I am performing so I can repeat them unassisted at a later date.

re: Lenovo programs-- I just wanted to check with you to see if you knew of better options for use when away from home. Google did not show me better options. I have no problem with replacing the Lenovo programs.

I just want to clarify before I temporarily loses use of this machine. In the Open Windows DISKPART at System Startup tutorial > Method One >Windows 7 Full Installer -- The "Windows 7 Installation DVD is the flash drive with the ISO which I used previously, correct?

I have another RAM stick on order. Would the entire process be easier if I install the extra RAM before performing the clean install, or does it make no difference?

thanks,
drpepper

It's up to you on when you upgrade RAM.

I am innately suuspicious of any OEM crapware because I've not found one which is worth keeping myself. However there are various reasons why users want, say, a cam software which gives extra display features, or a battery tender which provides more feedback. However be prepared because OEM's can make it hard to get these functioning properly even if they provide a download. Everything they do is aimed at coercing you to keep the sponsored bloatware and self-important factory utilities which second guess Win7.

Yes, access a Command Line to run diskpart from the USB installer using DISKPART At PC Startup.

Feel free to ask back any other questions, I just wanted to make sure you were focused on the correct tutorial. You are correct that it is a collection of tutorials - more of a compendium - which is why I linked it as a post for several years before formalizing it into a tutorial.

Thanks for keeping me focused. Juggling open tabs and/or windows does not support a well focused attack for me.

I believe I will use the time between now and when the RAM arrives to make sure I have not eliminated anything I want or included anything I don't want. More tme spent in studying all the steps won't hurt me either.

A special note is prudent first. I am red/green color blind. I cannot distinguish the difference between these two colors. When references are made to red or green I have to revert to a few tricks I have learned or make an intuitive decision to point me to the correct color. This is even more difficult when I run into red or green text. Depending upon the background color I may have to click+drag across the text to highlight it for legibility.

Let me see if I understand Diskpart options. Since the clean command leaves the data intact until it is overwritten, the data is still recoverable. Only forensics or a program which points to a given memory address will reveal the contents which have not been overwritten. The OS will not point to any memory address which it has not already allocated and initialized for its use. For this reason the clean all command is of no use to me for the clean install. I have no reason to try to hide the previously stored data prior to the clean install. Did I connect all the dots right?

Yes, you'd really only need the Clean command if there is an install problem which requires the boot sector to be overwritten so code there cannot interfere. In the rarest cases this can also solve performance problems but they are mainly related to boot and disk behavior.

OK, good

Now that I am sure that I understand that I would like to move on to a step-wise procedural question. To prevent pushing my poor typing skills too far I am going to refer to your two linked Diskpart tutorials as "how to clean" and "at pc startup".

Step#11 of how to clean states that a new partition or volume will have to be created. A link to a tutorial explaining how to do this is included. At pc startup under Method One, step#2 the command window opens and diskpart is to be typed. Is this where I perform the steps in the tutorial which is linked in step #11 of how to clean, or do I create the new partition at the end of how to clean?

If I am understanding the process, the clean command will leave me with the equivalent of a blank (empty) disk. That would make it impossible to create the new disk at the end of step#11. The only way to create the new volume or partition would be through booting from the ISO on my flash drive. Am I missing anything?

You must access a Command Box to type in the commands given for Clean in tutorial.

You can create a partition during install using Custom Drive Options, or just click Next at the drive selection screen and the installer will do it for you: Clean Install Windows 7

How to clean step#2: Use elevated command prompt or command prompt at boot since I am attempting to gain all the available memory on the HDD? Or does it make no difference?

It looks like you are referring to step#7 for the custom drive options or next choice.

That would make the step-wise process:

1. how to clean -- ignore step#11, create a new partition
2. at pc startup -- to boot from the ISO
3. choose next in step#7 and Windows creates the partition(s)

Am I misunderstanding anything?