Windows 7: Factory OEM Clean Install of Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit

I'm hoping all of my system info is displayed since I downloaded and installed System Specs...

I downloaded the correct .iso file from the Digital River list and have since burned a new DVD using imgburn set at 4x for an excellent copy. At this point I'm not sure if I must first reset the BIOS boot order in Setup or if just having the DVD in the drive will prompt me to press any key to continue. FWIW, I'm using a Liteon DVD-ROM drive Model eTDU108.

Anxious to get started...thanks!



sbuxman

You need to boot from that burned DVD.

You can do that by changing BIOS boot order OR by choosing the boot device from a menu accessible during the boot process.

If you choose the menu method, you have to know the F key that will bring up the menu. It varies, depending on your motherboard. It's F12 on my PC, it may be F8 or some other key on your PC.

Easiest method is to change in the BIOS.

Thank you...

Sitting here wondering why my response to your post #2 never appeared, I now realize on checking that I got distracted and never completed/posted it...let's see if I can recall:

I did not know about the accessible boot menu option, but I think I'll stick with the easiest method, as you say, which I've used often. FWIW, I wanted to mention that the boot DVD drive I'll use for the install from .iso is a USB Liteon model eTDU108, as this model Acer does not come with a drive built in. IDK if that could be a problem...just putting it out there.

So once I boot from the DVD, I believe I remember that I'm asked to choose from one of two options to proceed, and this time I want to be sure which way to go because of the lingering doubts I feel about understanding my most recent clean install on an older Compaq desktop when I was presented with those options, another thread in a different forum.

Any help with my next step is gratefully appreciated.

sbuxman

I don't recall the exact names of the choices.

Possibly something about a repair install, which you do not want.

If you do it wrong, start over and make another choice.

It should be fairly evident. If you want to do a clean install, you should make sure you have only 1 hard drive connected and when you come to a screen asking "where do you want to install Windows", you delete ALL partitions.

Your entire drive will then become "unallocated space". Windows will automatically format as necessary.

You will end up with 2 partitions: System Reserved (very small) and C, covering the entire remainder of the drive.

Then take a look at Windows Disk Management to confirm that's what you have.

Then immediately get an Internet connection going, install anti-virus, and go to Windows Update and get all critical and important updates.

I'd probably make sure I had an Ethernet driver or Wireless driver saved on a DVD or USB stick before I began. You may need it to get Internet going.