New
#1
Questions Regarding HDD Wipe of Dell Studio laptop and W7 Installation
Good Evening Everyone,
This is Chris again and a few months back this community was a great help in resolving a number of issues in regards to a new computer that I had built. That computer has done nothing but run wonderfully since the assistance that you all provided for me. I have a new project on my hands and I trust that your expertise in regards to everything computer related would be of invaluable assistance.
I have an old Dell Studio 1747 Laptop (from 2008-9) that I want to wipe and do a clean install of windows on. When I bought the computer it was running Windows Vista (unfortunately) and I upgraded it to Windows 7 Home Premium when it was released. I have the Windows Vista installation disk (I believe its somewhere in the house, I would just have to find it following my recent move). Additionally I should also have the upgrade disk that I bought for Windows 7. My question isn't so much in regards to how I should wipe the computer. I intend on using (Wiping Hard Drive Clean to Install Windows 7) the Wiping Hard Drive Clean to Install Windows 7 forum post to assist with that process. My question is in regards to the installation portion of the process. How would I go about that? Should I reinstall Vista and then run the upgrade disk again? If I am unable to locate the disk is there an alternative method? Can I just install Windows 7 right away and if so where would I locate a product key for the verification? Someone was saying that the motherboard of the laptop is forever connected to the product keys that I used. Is that the actual case? Would a product key be necessary than?
I know this is quite a wall of text and I apologize, I just prefer full explanations than quick questions. To aid in providing as much detail as I possibly can. I want to wipe my laptop because it has been bogged down and I have never done it over the five or so years that I have owned the machine. Additionally, for my norton antivirus that I have for the computer. Will it be lost in the wipe? Just a side question there if anyone knows. Thank you so much to anyone who offers assistance and advice. I appreciate your help so much and I am sorry for taking up anyone's time.
Best Regards,
Chris