Windows 7 - Clean install of windows 7 on new PC

[ETechNewbie]

I just purchased a new Lenovo PC with Windows 7 (no operating disk). I want to transfer my OS and its Programs to my SSD which is 64GB. Its a new PC with a 1TB HDD, and I haven't made any custom settings so there's no need for me to go the migrating route. My question is where do I start? I have read other posts that tells me that I need to backup my programs to an external HDD. Do I need to do that even though its a new PC and I suppose all the programs come standard with this PC?

 

[whs]

Did this new PC come with Windows 7 or Windows 8 and do you have an OS installtion disk.

 

[ETechNewbie]

Did this new PC come with Windows 7 or Windows 8 and do you have an OS installtion disk.

Windows 7 and no operating disk

 

[maxie]

You should be able to make recovery discs most Lenovos have one key recovery you can also use Windows to make backup which would be best done on an external drive

 

[whs]

I would get a clean Windows 7 SP1 .iso from this site, burn it to DVD and install with that. Then you do not get all that bloatware. For activation use the product key that is on the COA sticker. That sticker is on the bottom of your Laptop.

But first you have to align the SSD and define an active primary partition. Use Command Prompt with these commands:

Diskpart
List disk
Select disk n (where n is the number that was given for your SSD in List disk)
Clean
Create partition primary align=1024
Format fs=ntfs quick
Active
Exit

Then install Windows 7 into this partition. That way you also do not get the dreaded 100MB system partition.


PS: make sure you get the .iso for the same Win7 edition hat is currently on the laptop - e.g. Home Premium 64bit. Your COA key will only work with the same edition.

 

[theog]

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create
​

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?


Lenovo Recovery
Lenovo Support - Home (US)

You can Order Lenovo Recovery Disks from here:
Lenovo Support - Home (US)

 

[gregrocker]

Follow these steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

If you have an EFI BIOS you'll need to do the extra steps here for UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums or Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7

Be sure to unplug all other HD's and peripherals before beginning.

After install you can plug back in the old OS HD, browse into Windows/System 32 for any drivers missing after all IMportant and Optional Updates are installed, even boot it if necessary to check out anything. Once you're finished with it completely wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command then repartition for storage or data. Partition or Volume - Create New. Activate the SSD Win7 once you've deleted the old one.

 

[theog]

I would get a clean Windows 7 SP1 .iso from this site, burn it to DVD and install with that. Then you do not get all that bloatware. For activation use the product key that is on the COA sticker. That sticker is on the bottom of your Laptop.

But first you have to align the SSD and define an active primary partition. Use Command Prompt with these commands:

Diskpart
List disk
Select disk n (where n is the number that was given for your SSD in List disk)
Clean
Create partition primary align=1024
Format fs=ntfs quick
Active
Exit

Then install Windows 7 into this partition. That way you also do not get the dreaded 100MB system partition.


PS: make sure you get the .iso for the same Win7 edition hat is currently on the laptop - e.g. Home Premium 64bit. Your COA key will only work with the same edition.

The OP would need to reset the uEFI/BIOS firmware.

Windows 8 - Downgrade Instructions

Performing the recovery process for Windows 7


6. If you install the Windows 7 (64–bit) operating system, read the messages on the
screen and then select GPT partition style or MBR partition style as you desire.

 

[whs]

Ray, it is a Windows 7 PC so I assume it came with a BIOS - not EFI.

 

[theog]

Ray, it is a Windows 7 PC so I assume it came with a BIOS - not EFI.

Lenovo have been using uEFI/BIOS firmware for some years.
This tutorial was publisted using Lenovo by arkhi, 15 Sep 2011.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-7-a.html
The screenshots have been update.

 

[ETechNewbie]

I would get a clean Windows 7 SP1 .iso from this site, burn it to DVD and install with that. Then you do not get all that bloatware. For activation use the product key that is on the COA sticker. That sticker is on the bottom of your Laptop.

But first you have to align the SSD and define an active primary partition. Use Command Prompt with these commands:

Diskpart
List disk
Select disk n (where n is the number that was given for your SSD in List disk)
Clean
Create partition primary align=1024
Format fs=ntfs quick
Active
Exit

Then install Windows 7 into this partition. That way you also do not get the dreaded 100MB system partition.


PS: make sure you get the .iso for the same Win7 edition hat is currently on the laptop - e.g. Home Premium 64bit. Your COA key will only work with the same edition.

This probably should be a no-brainer. I have prepared my recovery disks, now I am ready to align the SSD. Where do I start? Do I attach the SSD after detaching my HDD and boot up my system to do the alignment? Or do I attach my SSD with an enclosure to my PC now to do the alignment before I do the clean install?

 

[whs]

I would do it with an enclosure. Then you have command prompt under your hand ==> Start > Accessories > right click on cmd > run as Admin

 

[ETechNewbie]

I would do it with an enclosure. Then you have command prompt under your hand ==> Start > Accessories > right click on cmd > run as Admin

i have attached my SSD via the USB enclosure. I followed the steps in the command prompt. I encountered this error: There is no disk selected. Please select a disk and try again.

I entered diskpart, then disk list (my ssd and hdd showed up), i entered 1 (ssd #) a list of data showed up: merge, online, etc, DISKPART showed up again and I entered clean and I encountered this error: There is no disk selected. Please select a disk and try again.

 

[ETechNewbie]

I fixed the problem, I left out the word select. Everything went well. So now do I shut down my PC and detach the HDD and attach the SSD then reboot for clean install? Do I need to do any BIOS changes?

 

[whs]

When you are done with the installation, set the SSD as boot device #2 (the CD/DVD reader should be #1).

 

[ETechNewbie]

When you are done with the installation, set the SSD as boot device #2 (the CD/DVD reader should be #1).

How would I do that? I just received BOOTMGR is missing error?

 

[VistaKing]

ETechNewbie

TO change the BOOT order on your Lenovo . When you come up to the Lenovo splash screeen hit F1 or F2 on your keyboard. That will take you to your BIOS . Inside your BIOS you should see an option for Startup then BOOT. Make sure the First device to boot to is CD/DVD ( OPTICAL DRIVE ) and 2nd your SSD drive ( ADATA ) as per whs post.

 

[AddRAM]

I have to ask, why would you want all the factory garbage on your new ssd ?

Your thread title is " clean install of windows 7 on new pc "

Your 2nd sentence reads "I want to transfer my OS and its Programs to my SSD which is 64GB."

Did you actually do what you wanted to do ?

 

[gregrocker]

Did you unplug all other HD's during install? If not it wrote the new install's System boot files to the old OS so you'll need to do it over.

If so then make sure the SSD is set first to boot in BIOS setup. Does it boot now?

 

[ETechNewbie]

all clear now. Thanks for everyone's help. Clean Install accomplished. Since I will be using this PC as a HTPC I opted to not re install the programs that it came with to reduce bloatware.