Windows 7: Uninstall Win7 & Reinstall XP then Reinstall Win7?

Hello,

I have Dell XPS M1710 and installed Windows 7 on it a few weeks ago. I have had several issues with the program and would like to uninstall it and then use my Dell Reinstallation DVD to put my computer back the way it was when I bought it. Then I want to try to install Windows 7 again and see if it fixes any of my issues.

Or, I would like to simple formate my hard drive and install Windows 7 form a blank hard drive.

I've tried putting the Reinstallation DVD in but the option to install is blanked out. I went into Safe Mode and the option to install was there but when I tried it I was told that Windows 7 won't allow the system to install an earlier version.

Does anyone know how to formate my hard drive completely and then either install Windows 7 from scratch or how to install XP back on my computer and then reinstall Windows 7?

Keep in mind I'm not a computer head so speak in stupid person terms. Thanks,

Hi mod9k,

Are you booting from the DVD?

You have to do a Clean install when going from/to XP and Windows 7.

Take a look at this Seven Forums tutorial Clean Installation with Windows 7
These tutorials are easy to follow.

You might tell us what issues you're having and maybe someone could help with that?

Is your Win 7 on a DVD? And is it an up grade or full version?
There are several tutorials on this site to do a clean inatall.
Ken

I purchased the 3 pack upgrade because I have two desktops and one laptop. One of the desktops seems to work fine but the laptop and second desktop have issues with briefcases and network printers. Because I use these computers for work, printing and using briefcases from my laptop to my desktop is very important.

When I installed the upgrade from XP I was given two choices, one was the recommended install and the other was a custom install. I read that because I was going from XP to Windows 7 I had to do the custom install which would clean everything off and start over so this was the option I choose.

I also read that even an upgrade cd is the full version and can be used on a blank hard drive. Is this correct? See Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version under the Option One notes.

I spent about three hours on the phone with Microsoft last night and the guy gave up and said that they would call me back in a couple of days. I'm not holding my breath. I then asked him if he could help with another problem and he said that he had to get a new case number and the department that generated the numbers was closed so I was out of luck.....great customer service if you ask me.

update on my attempt to formate the hard drive:

1) I started Safe Mode with Command Prompt and typed "format c:" (it looked like this: C:\Windows\system32>format c

2) It said the following:

The type of the file system is NTFS

WARNING, ALL DATE ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE C: WILL BE LOST!
Proceed with Format (Y/N)?

3) I typed "Y"

4) It said:

Formatting 55749M
System Partition is not allowed to be formatted.

5) It kicked me back out to the C:\Windows\system32>


So how am I supposed to format a drive when I doesn't allow me too?

I just changed my BIOS to boot to the CD and insterted the Reinstallation DVD (that is what it says, DVD) and the followed the instructions in this link:

How to Format and Reinstall Windows xp Tech Support Video | Performing a Clean Installation of Windows XP | Windows XP Format and Partition a New Hard drive Video. Web Tech Support Page. Web Tech Geek.com

The hard drive is formating as I type......... I'll let you know

Well the uninstall and install when off without a hitch.....BUT.....all the problems I had before are still there. I still cannot get the network printer to work nor can I get breifcases to work properly.

Lost track of what you did.

Did you clean install 7 - and that is the only o/s you now have?

Might be better to do that, if you don't need XP.

Just boot the 7 install dvd - when you get a screen asking where you want to install - click Drive Options ( advanced) and you get a new screen , where you can format, delete, create partitions.

Do whatever you want ther - then continue to install 7 - to whichever partition you like.

I tried booting to the Window 7 CD but nothing happened. When I inserted the XP CD I was able to format the hard drive and but my computer back the way I bought it. Then I installed Windows 7 again. I wasn't sure if I could stop the XP install and it didn't give me an option to quit once the hard drive was formatted.

I've already spent a few hours loading all my programs back on an downloading all the drivers (still can't get the sound to work though).

To solve the problem I considering buying a wireless printer which should bypass the network printing issue. I've also bought an pocket hard drive which I'm hoping will solve the briefcase issue. It sucks that I have to spend an extra couple hundred just to fix something that wasn't broke before installing Windows 7.

I just put in the Windows 7 CD and booted to it and did not see an option on where to install it. I'm guessing you post, SIW2, was booting to a formatted hard drive right?