Windows 7 clean install - BIOS questions & system startup time

Hi RedLad,

RedLad said:

Also Paul, if needs be I do not mind going back and doing the reinstall again and not clicking on the 'New' option on the partition screen.

The screenshot looks OK.

Before we go down another re-install route let's try a couple of things!

[1] Did you disconnect all other drives before the clean install?
[2] Are there any yellow triangles in Device Manager?
[3] What do you mean you clicked on the New option?
[4] Did it try and setup a dual-boot configuration during install?

I don't understand why it has used 72GB?

I always disable the screesaver, hibernation and sleep modes after a clean install if I am going to run WU [Windows Update]!

I hope this helps!

Hi RedLad,

RedLad said:

Just before you read the below, please bear in mind I did not install any drivers, except for the one to get online, which was on a TP-Link disc I have.

I have answered this below.

RedLad said:

1. I disconnected the 4TB hard drive beforehand, leaving just the new SSD. - I am only remembering that I did have my secondary screen connected to the back of the PC, along with the mouse and keyboard. Would the screen being connected have caused any issues?

I doubt it very much but I always disconnect anything not relevant before I do a clean install. I just leave the keyboard and mouse attached.

RedLad said:

2. There are lots actually:

About 130 'Base System Device' ones.
2 'Ethernet Controlers' ones.
'PCI Device, Serial Port and Simple Communications Controller' (x3)
16 'Performance Connters'
'SAS Controller'
'SM Bus Controller'
'System Interrupt Controller' (x2)
'USB Controller'

(During checking this, the PC froze again. Something is definitely up! I just hope it is fixable, as I had some work to do over the holidays.)

This is where all your issues are.

RedLad said:

3. The New option. This was during setup - on the screen that lists the partitions/drives. It showed the SSD with just under 500GB. But I clicked on 'New' then clicked OK with the number it said to specify (I left that at default) Was this a bad idea? This then showed the 3 partions I mentioned earlier and after looking up online about it, I am nearly sure it said MSR in one of them as you can see in the attached screen example (this is not from mine)

The MSR partition [Microsoft Reserved Partition] reserves space on each disk drive for subsequent use by OS software. It's a placeholder invented by M$. It doesn't contain any meaningful data and it's there just in case you will ever need to create some additional partition for special uses. You don't really need it.

RedLad said:

4. I am not sure to be honest, I did not see or notice anything to do with dual-boot.

That's good!

[1] Right, have a very close look at the installation disk, are there any scratches on it?
[2] What does the label on the disk actually say?

When I do a clean install, I usually delete ALL the partitions leaving a single Unallocated space partition which Windows than gets installed on.

From what you have stated, it appears that the disk you got from Dell is missing most of the Windows 7 drivers!

What you could do, is download a Windows 7 SP1 ISO x64, burn it to a DVD or USB, and use that for a clean install. This might be the better option depending on whether we can get the OS working correctly!

Alternatively, go onto the Dell website and download the relevant drivers, put them onto a USB and install them on the LIVE OS. You will need drivers for the MOBO, Graphics/Video Card, Ethernet, Chipset, WLAN etc => Support for Precision Tower 7910.

Can you post a screenshot on the Device Manager!

I hope this helps!

Hi RedLad,

RedLad said:

1. Just checked the disc. No scratches, however I do notice a different shade/tone going across two parts of it...probably isn't good. I did use this before and it was fine though. I do have a second disk that from Dell that I will try, that hasn't been removed from the sleeve yet.

2. The label reads 'Reinstallation DVD Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-Bit.'

OK.

RedLad said:

Could you tell me Paul, once I go back and re-install and delete them partitions and install to the Unallocated space as you say - is it best to install drivers then all Windows Updates?
OR - updates then drivers?

I think in your case I would install the drivers [although the drivers should be on the installation disk from Dell as it is a Reinstallation DVD Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-Bit]. This is why I can't understand why you have so many errors in Device Manager!

RedLad said:

Reason I ask the above question is because I see two different opinions of order here:
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

and here:
Clean Install Windows 7

The thing is, an OEM [original equipment manufacturer] usually has a restore factory image [settings] on a recovery partition!

I hope this helps!

Hi RedLad,

RedLad said:

OK, thanks I will try installing the drivers from their site. Hope I get this sorted, and sooner rather than later!

If that doesn't work, then you will need to decide how you want to move forward. By that I mean, either using the other Dell disk, or downloading a Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-Bit ISO and using that. If you need instructions for the latter, I can walk you through it!