Help with Downloading Win 7 into what partition...

I was given a computer from a friend. I do not have an OS on this computer so I bought windows 7 32-bit. I am at the point of where to download windows. I have 3 partitions: Partition 1: OEM (Reserved) 94MB, Partition 2: Recovery - Primary 10GB, Partition 3: OS - System 220.3GB and Unallocated space 2.5 GB.

Can I delete any or all of these and have one partition? (I do not have any other os discs so there is no worry about losing any information or anything.) I am pretty good with computers but this partition thing is causing headaches!

And then I've read how you need to format the partition as NTsomething or other or FAT32....I'm lost. Thanks for any info!

If you think you might ever want to restore the original OS which came with the computer, perhaps to move your Win7 elsewhere (retail copies can migrate for life) then make your Recovery Disks now and/or consider keeping the Recovery Partition which may still run after installing Win7.

Boot the Windows 7 installer: How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD

Choose Custom Install, then Drive Options (Advanced) to Delete all partitions not needed. Create a 100gb Win7 partition and Format before install, following illustrated steps given here: Clean Install Windows 7

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Just in case, have your Wireless driver on flash stick or CD so you can get online quickly. Then enable hardware driver auto-updating and check for optional Updates several times.

Any drivers still missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Driver Install - Device Manager

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance changes after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they slow startup, become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. Startup Programs - Change

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 Disk and Registry tabs, then Puran boot-time defragger after adding it's Intelligent Optimizer on Additional Operations tab.
CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
http://download.cnet.com/Puran-Defra...-75115626.html

Finally save a Windows 7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD (or replacement) using DVD/Repair CD with the stored image. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

What OS is on the PC?

If you have the Recovery Partition on there, you can try running it first to see if it will restore Vista. Here are the steps: Dell Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings

Then you can make the full Recovery Disk set from Vista so you have it if you ever decide to move your Win7 elsewhere - a retail copy can migrate for life.

I gave you the steps earlier to get a perfect install of Win7. The illustrated tutorial linked shows how to delete the partitions you don't want, then create new ones as desired and format, install Win7.

It's best to keep your Music, Documents, Videos, etc in the User folders under your named User Account. You can link those folders to another partition or Hard Drive if you want to keep the OS/Programs partition leaner for imaging purposes. Then if Win7 ever becomes irreparable, you can reimage it and the User files are safe and intact in their own partition "vault."

Feel free to ask back any questions before making any other possibly bad moves.

f8 does not work. I hit f12 for the boot options and it comes up with: Internal HDD, CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive, Onboard NIC, BIOS Setup, Diagnostics.

I also tried f2 but that just does the Setup Screen.

Try F8 again tapping it vigorously as soon as you power on.

If it won't boot, then you've lost the ability to run the Recovery Partition and can go ahead and delete all partitions on the HD using the Drive Options from the booted installer's Custom install.

All of the steps needed to get a perfect install are in my first post with illustrated tutorial links. Be sure to ask back if you have any questions.

I tried the dell restore previously before i used that restore disc and it wouldn't work then either. That is why I used her restore disc that she made for this computer, which she only found the one disc and against my better judgement went ahead and tried it. But it was worth a try. Thanks for your help! I appreciate it.

What do you mean "Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition"? Should I do this?