Windows 7: Reinstalling Windows 7 - Delete vs Format

Hello. I'm new to the forum, so I apologize if this question has been brought up. I got my new computer about 3 weeks ago, but because the video card I picked was out of stock (GTX 680) they installed a standard video card (GT 520) instead. I'll be getting my GTX 680 tomorrow, and I'm thinking about doing a clean installation with Windows 7. I've already installed Windows 7 once when I received my computer, and made a few registry changes 'cause I have an SSD.



I guess my question is, I'm not quite sure if I should delete or format my SSD and HDD when doing a clean installation. Also, I own an Intel SSD and I read online that it's better to use the Intel Solid-State Drive Toolbox when resetting the drive to its original rather than deleting/formatting. Here's a link to the toolbox: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...&DwnldID=18455

Any help would be appreciated.

You can format the drive. Be sure to delete all partitions in the Windows 7 setup and install it completely fresh.

Sorry for being such a computer noob, but what do you mean by "be sure to delete all partitions in the Windows 7 setup"? I didn't create extra partitions as I have my C drive - which is my SSD; and my D drive - which is my HDD. So, does that mean I should just click on format for both SSD and HDD when it gets to this screen?



Thanks.

For the SSD it is better to secure erase it with the Intel tools and then install the operating system. You do not need to format it first.

If you use the SSD for data and not the operating system, then just quick format the drive. A full format just wears it out quicker and is unnecessary.

I tried doing Secure Erase with the Intel SSD Toolbox, but I was getting "the selected drive has a partition. The partition must be removed in order to execute this feature." So I went to my Disk Management and here's the SS:

Does this mean I have to remove "System Reserve" if I want to perform Secure Erase?

Thank you.

The simple, straight-forward answer: FORMAT.

Now with that said, it is may very, very strong recommendation that you read this tutorisl:
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Don't let that title mislead you. This one is the motherlode that covers or points to all possible situations.

My personal approach:
using a system repair disc, I use diskpart and clean all to wipe the disk 100% clean.Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command
then I install Win 7.

don't muck around with or use any of the special ssd software. That's only for those Unix/Liinux people. Win 7 is very smart and correctly handles every aspect of a SSD.

I agree with Karl - don't bother with the SSD tools because for normal stuff (like an OS install) they are not necessary. The only time they might be necessary is if there's a serious issue with getting any OS to see and utilize the drive, IMHO.

I've been installing various Windows OSs on SSDs for quite a while and I've never done anything other than delete and re-create the system reserved and "C" partitions during the install process.

Hm. Okay. If I format rather than delete, will it reset the drive to its original, out-of-the-box state?

Define : original, out-of-the-box state.

I don't see a reason to reinstall the OS simply to go from a 520 video card to a 680GTX. Maybe I am missing something.