Delete/Format OEM Partition on Clean Install?

Hi everyone, I have a Gateway desktop with Windows Vista that I'm trying to upgrade (clean install) to Win 7.
During the installation process, when it asks which drive I want to install Windows 7 on, I notice that in addition to the main ~600GB C: drive, there's a ~14GB OEM partition.

Can I safely format/delete and merge the OEM partition without any consequences? Or are there some important system files in that partition that I need to keep? I don't want to run into a problem like this guy.

Thanks!

Follow Tews good advice.

Read your manual for the exact steps to creating the disks, or contact Gateway to see if they need to be mailed. You can also ask them then what exactly is on that OEM partition.

Once you have a path back to factory condition, I'd boot the Win7 installer and deep clean the HD before Custom installing with drive tools create and format your new partition(s). Just press Shift F10 as the DVD boots up, open a Command Line, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (confirm this is target HD #)
CLEAN ALL
EXIT

Now return to Install Now to do Custom install with Drive tools to create New and Format before install.

The installer is nearly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Any missing drivers or favorite apps can then be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer/device.

Thanks gregrocker, I followed your instructions but when I tried to install Windows 7 on the newly cleaned disk, I got Error 0x80300024 saying that Windows couldn't install on this drive.

I don't have multiple drives connected, only the main Disk 0. Any idea what I can do?

Did you deep clean the HD before install using DISKPART CLEAN ALL cmd? Create and format partition using installer?

More things to check here: Error (0x80300024)

Next: Does your BIOS need updating? What is the SATA controller setting? Try AHCI first, then IDE if necessary.

Reset the CMOS: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/tp/clearcmos.htm

Remove all but 2 gb of RAM, then try swapping sticks. Test your memory using memtest86 CD.

Test your HD using maker's diagnostics/repair CD full scan: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

Yes, I cleaned the drive using the cmd prompts, but I didn't create the partition. How much space should I allocate to the new partition?

Try a full clean & full format.
1) Boot DVD.
2) Press Shift+F10 (for command prompt)

Type in command line
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (win 7 HD)
CLEAN ALL
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT=NTFS
ASSIGN
EXIT
EXIT



Make your OS partition NO SMALLER THAN 100g.

Partition or Volume - Delete
Partition or Volume - Create New

I'm under the conclusion of wiping the whole drive. Although I have not tried it, a scratch box, ugly OEM version of WIN7 (not what came with your system) should be ok to use with a computer license. Therefore nuke the HDD.

The only time I had a hang up to upgrade was when I kept the OEM core. Why? Beats me. I did it on Saturday.