Reinstall on new HD

hello people · 19 Oct 2010

I have installed W7 HE 64 on a 1TB HD then had some problems with my x58A-UD3R mobo...9 days of rebooting and bios tweaking...anyway, I think it would be wise to reinstall and I would like to reinstall on a smaller, different HD.

So what is the procedure? Can I just power down, unplug the main drive and plug in the new HD, put the W7 dvd in and reinstall?

In the end would like to have the main HD 500g for OS and then 2x1TB HD's as backup HD's for data etc.

Can I do this?

thanks

gregrocker · 19 Oct 2010

Sure, just boot and reinstall. Wise to keep other HD's unplugged while doing so.

hello people · 19 Oct 2010

Really? And they will be detected once plugged in later? Why is is wise to not have other HD's plugged in during an install?

Also...you know when I installed the first time I never got asked anything about my serial key...but it just says 'Windows is activated' in Control Panel 'system'

One other thing....if I reinstall...then I will have W7 installed on 2 HD's right....if I have major problems (which I wont) can I just power off and plug in the original HD and it will still recognise the install on that HD?

gregrocker · 19 Oct 2010

If you keep two activated copies and connect both to the internet, it's likely it will deactivate one since you have two installs for the same Key.

If you want to keep the old install, I would remove the key by opening an elevated Command Line and typing slmgr -upk which will set it back to 30 day trial. And don't activate again until you are sure which you want to keep.

hello people · 19 Oct 2010

I suppose I won't want to keep the old install...but I just wanna confirm that a new install on a new HD...the activation will work and not tell me that another HD already is using this key.........am I good to go?

gregrocker · 19 Oct 2010

I'd back up a Win7 backup image of the old install as a fallback. Then wipe that HD.

hello people · 19 Oct 2010

You would back it up for your data?

Or back it up because you are worried about having the same activation key on 2 different HD's?

I'm just going to reinstall on a new HD. he data is fine...backed up. I just want a clean install because I had a nightmare with my mobo after the 1st install...

I'm just going to do it

By the way...is there a tutorial on this site that explains:

What programs/ devices to install and in what order after a new OS install?

Know what I mean? Mobo drivers first? gfx card drivers first?

Any particular 'best case scenario' order for all this?

gregrocker · 19 Oct 2010

Clean Install Windows 7

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

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. https://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-d...-msconfig.html

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner then Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers monthly. CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
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Then save a Win7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or replacement using DVD or Repair CD. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

kword88 · 19 Oct 2010

you might want to reset you BIOS back to defaults since you say you did a lot of tweaking.
the first driver to install is the chipset driver. you can either use the driver disc that came with the motherboard, or download them from the gigabyte website.

gregrocker · 19 Oct 2010

I would not change out drivers given by the WIn7 installer or optional Windows Updates unless performance dictates you do so.

This is not XP or Vista. MS spent a fortune getting the drivers into the WIn7 installer or quickly available by Windows Update. You only need to supply drivers missing in Device Manager unless performance requires changing one.