I was able to boot Parted Magic, Memtest86+, Partition Wizard, and Seatools. Do they all just load on RAM? I already was able to get all my files with Parted Magic. I don't think I can open a command prompt. Can I use one of these bootable utilities to wipe the disk? Do I have to do a multi pass (secure wipe)?
Ok, i've wiped the drive. Do I now have to make it active? Do I have to create partions or will the Windows installation disk create them for me? I read the clean install directions and I think I want a separate partition for the operation system. Do I choose the size or does windows do it. If I choose how big should I make it?
Thanks Alot
Windows will create the partition for you, across the entire disk. You can resize it later on, and add a separate data partition using Partition Wizard. For now, choose the default options and proceed with the install.
I'm still in Partition Wizard now, for I used it to wipe the disk. Do I have to make it active or do I just close it then install windows?
Thanks
Since you're there Create a new Primary partition of the size you want, then rightclick to Modify>Set to Active, OK, Apply steps. This will hedge your bet.
What size do I want? Is this where windows would be installed? Or is this where my data would go?
You can create two partitions, one for Windows on the left side, then another for your data. You should have an idea of the size you need for Windows if you have a partition scheme in mind. Are you going to keep your User folders on it or link them from the data partition in order to keep the OS partition smaller for imaging purposes? If not then I'd make it at least 100gb.
Looking at my originaly snapshout, I had a system capacitypartition of 1.46 gig and 1.28 was used, then I had one that had a capacity of 453.89 gig, and then I had a recovery partition of 10.4 gig. Now I won't have the recovery any more or does windows still create this? Judging by this was my operating system in the smallest partition? how hard is it to link my folders?
Thanks
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