Installing windows 7 after wiping hard drive?

newbiegirl said:

AddRAM said:

If you replace the hard drive, you will not have a recovery partition/image unless you saved it externally or have the discs.

I would not even consider using a system image unless it is an out of box/factory image.

Data can always be retrieved from a hard drive. If you are worried, replace it.

It's a system image that I have of when I first bought the laptop. If I do replace the HD, can I use these system images to reinstall the OS onto the new HD?

That`s what system images are for, what program did you use to create it ?

Windows native imaging does not always work to restore an image to a new or different hard drive.

AddRam it's a Disk (set?) provided by the store selling the system but not sure if it's a samsung recovery set or one they created at the store - the op mentioned this in one of the early posts :)

I'm not exactly sure what newbiegirl is looking for but here is a tutorial by Kari worth reading.

Prepare PC to be Sold



Windows 7 Installation - Prepare PC to be Sold

I do not know why not. Be sure that you have a valid key number and all your stuff is backed up.

The key on the bottom of the laptop should work.

I would copy that key and save it some place safe. This is done just in case the one on the laptop gets damaged.
I keep my keys in the little plastic case I keep the DVD in.

If there is more than one disk in the Recovery set they gave you, and the other one is not labeled Drivers, then it is most likely for Recovery to Factory condition. A single Win7 Reinstallation DVD would normally be labeled that and a second disk would only be for drivers. What does it say on the disks?

If you have data which must be protected then wipe the HD using Diskpart Clean All Command which makes data unrecoverable by all but forensics means.

To access the Command Line from System Recovery Options use the System Repair Disc - Create
or Win7 disk provided in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Then run the Recovery Disks to see if they will complete factory recovery, or result in a Clean Reinstall if they are Reinstallation disks. As stated, Recovery disks will self-activate and include the preinstalled programs which came with PC. If these disks are unsatisfactory or fail then do the Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which results in a perfect install of Win7.