Dell M6500 & Win 7

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  1. alphanumeric
    Posts : 4,466
    Windows 10 Education 64 bit
       New #11

    Did that laptop come with windows 7 pre-installed? If it did, did you make a set of recovery disks for that PC yet? If you haven't you might want to before you go any further. If that PC did not come with a Windows 7 Install disk and relies on the recovery partition to re-install windows 7, you could break that functionality if you wipe out the boot sector. If this is the type of infection I think it is you will have to wipe out the boot sector to get ride of it. I'm no expert on this but I'm thinking when you do use the recovery/restore to factory settings option from the boot menu its not over writing the boot sector (system reserved partition), its just restoring the windows image to the second partition (c). If it was I would think that would wipe out any hidden nasties. So following that logic you would have to boot from some other media and erase the boot sector, maybe even wipe the whole drive, and start over.
    Last edited by alphanumeric; 10 Jul 2011 at 10:56.
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  3. bolster55
    Posts : 7
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #12

    Thanks for that reply, the system came with Windows Vista and an upgrade disk for Windows 7, which I installed.
    As it looks at the moment I would like to start again, I have backed up everything I need.
    What would be the best software or method to completely clean that hard drive?

    Regards
    Phil
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  4. alphanumeric
    Posts : 4,466
    Windows 10 Education 64 bit
       New #13

    If you just want to start over and do a clean install I would probably do this.
    Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
    During the install you can partition the drive, delete the current partitions and create new ones. I'm assuming you never intend to go back to windows vista. Deleting all the partitions will remove any factory Vista recovery option. You would have to use a recovery disk set, if you created one.
    Partition the Hard Drive in a Windows 7 Install
    If you wait a little while I'm sure some other members will post their suggestions or alternatives and then you can pick the option you like.
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  6. theog
    Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       New #14

    Did Dell send you a Upgrade installer Disk or a Recovery from Vista disk.
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  7. bolster55
    Posts : 7
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #15

    Yes, to the "theog", I have an installation disc for both XP and Win7, I'll format and start again.
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  8. wysiwyg49
    Posts : 30
    WINDOWS7 32BIT PROFESSIONAL
       New #16

    XP must go in first, then Vista, then seven
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  10. theog
    Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       New #17

    bolster55 said:
    Yes, to the "theog", I have an installation disc for both XP and Win7, I'll format and start again.
    Give your HD a clean first.
    SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
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  11. bolster55
    Posts : 7
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #18

    Hello All,
    Xp is now running on my laptop.
    Thank you all for your assistance, I hope I can help someone in the future.

    Regards
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  12. theog
    Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       New #19

    That is good news.
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