Windows 7: Odd Re-Installation Issue

Hiya. Brand new laptop, with Windows 7 installed already.

Plugged in a USB device which somehow corrupted my USB drivers. Cue much faffing around, then decide to re-install Windows 7 from the CD provided. (Attempting a repair with the drivers CD did nothing.)

Re-installation complete but I now have a partitioned hard drive, one is labelled as C: Recovered and the other is D: OS.

I can use my USB ports and everything just fine on my C: drive, but the space is minimal. Can't use USB ports on my D: drive boot up, but have loads of space.

All I want to do is re-install Windows 7 and just have ONE drive, with working USB drivers.

Any thoughts? Help is most appreciated. (Am connected via my parents wireless internet, figure I corrupted my USB drivers by attempting to install my USB modem which I later found out isn't supported by Windows 7 - epic fail.)

Hello, Welcome!

Can you try backing up everything to your D partition, then shrinking it as much as possible?

Then you can try a clean install onto your C partition.

If you reinstalled, I am assuming you have a Windows 7 DVD rather than recovery disks from your computer maker.

If so, back up your files and boot from the Windows 7 DVD, select Custom install, then use Drive Options (Advanced) to delete all partitions, Create new one(s) as you wish, then format at least the first partition before installing Windows 7 there.

Afterwards, find any favorite apps or driver missing in Device Manager via Windows Updates, drivers/apps disk or on the Support Downloads page for your model computer.

Looks like it's a Recovery CD from Dell, as the Custom Install wouldn't let me do anything except choose which Drive to install Windows 7 on.

I can't format either drive, Windows won't let me.

Further info - USB slots now work on both partitions of my harddrive.

Essentially all I want to do now is combine my 2 harddrive partitions and just have one Windows 7 OS at bootup (ie so I don't have to choose between them!)

2 free applications to change partitions is partition wizard and gparted. Google, find the website and give it a try. You can also type search in by the search, and then go to create new partitions. But that may not work because you will be using the partition in questiion.

You can use our tutorial section and get information on partitions. They are very good.


Partition or Volume - Create New

Partitions are all very well and good, but I don't want any - I just want one harddrive, no partitions at all! Thanks for your help thus far, it is most appreciated!

Yes, but as far as I know the programs that I suggested can remove partions making just one. I have never tried, but it is my understanding.

Ah ok - thank you very much Rich - I shall give it a go when I am actually sober - many thanks for your help

You need to delete the partition that you dont want, then expand the other to take up all the free space.