Want clean install on new HDD

Miskonduct said:

ignatzatsonic said:

Miskonduct said:

How would you suggest to set System Restore to utilize space?

The default amount is quite high and it can eat into your occupied space, so you may want to restrain it. There is a slider in the configuration. You can figure maybe allot 1 GB for each restore point. Something like that. I use about 7 GB, which gives me a couple of weeks worth of restore points.

I'm looking and can't seem to find where I can adjust the system restore points. I got to control panel>Backup and Restore. Not seeing where I can adjust the allotment.

control panel/system/system protection/configure. It has nothing to do with backup and restore.

Another question: What is the best way to go about partitioning this new HDD?

Depends on how many programs you have and whether you want to keep your User folders on the same partition or link them to a separate data partition so it keeps the System image smaller. User Folders - Change Default Location

You can decide this later if you want, starting with a 100gb OS partition created by the installer's Custom>Drive options as shown in this tutorial: Clean Install Windows 7

Using Upgrade version you'll need to leave the Product Key blank during install then afterwards do the quick registry workaround given here to activate Upgrade version on a cleaned HD: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version .

Once again here are tips to get a perfect install so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage using DVD from stored image: Reinstalling Windows 7

gregrocker said:

Depends on how many programs you have and whether you want to keep your User folders on the same partition or link them to a separate data partition so it keeps the System image smaller. User Folders - Change Default Location

You can decide this later if you want, starting with a 100gb OS partition created by the installer's Custom>Drive options as shown in this tutorial: Clean Install Windows 7

Using Upgrade version you'll need to leave the Product Key blank during install then afterwards do the quick registry workaround given here to activate Upgrade version on a cleaned HD: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version .

Once again here are tips to get a perfect install so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage using DVD from stored image: Reinstalling Windows 7

So if I'm understanding this correctly when I reach this point: https://www.sevenforums.com/attachmen...s-7-step13.jpg

I am to not input the product key and ensure that the Automatically update box is unchecked and then click next. From there do the workaround registration where I use the MediaBootInstall.reg?

Also, as far as the partitioning. Currently my recovery partition D: drive is only 10GB and I use about 4GB of that.

You'll need to make your Recovery Disks as the new HD will not have the Recovery partition and it's not really worth trying to copy it over since it will not run from Win7 after reinstall and is likely to lose it's hotkey to run from boot. Dell Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings

These disks would be used if you ever want to recovery your Inspiron to factory condition to sell or migrate your retail Win7 to another machine. You can also use a Vista installer to clean reinstall much as you're doing now with Win7.

Of course you can keep the old HD to replace in the machine if you ever decide to get rid of it, run the Recov Disks or Partition or just leave it as is.

The new HD with your Win7 can be SysPrepped on the current machine to move to any other hardware using this method: SysPrep to move HD to another computer. Otherwise Win7 would likely not start on another machine by moving it's HD or image.

And also, is there anything I should do with my current 160GB internal HDD before I replace it for the new one? I was going to use it as an external now.

gregrocker said:

You'll need to make your Recovery Disks as the new HD will not have the Recovery partition and it's not really worth trying to copy it over since it will not run from Win7 after reinstall and is likely lose it's hotkey to run from boot.

These disks would be used if you ever want to recovery your Inspiron to factory condition to sell or migrate your retail Win7 to another machine. You can also use a Vista installer to clean reinstall much as you're doing now with Win7.

In essence I can just make a 10GB Recovery Disk to act as my recovery partition if I wanted?

You mentioned that partitioning the new HDD will depend on how many programs I'll have. I'll probably mainly use it for user folders to help save space on the C drive. If that is the case, how should I partition the HDD?

Start with 50gb for Win7, 100gb for User folders linked from Win7 using the tutorial I linked earlier, then you can Resize later if needed using Disk Mgmt, or free Partition Wizard bootable CD when you need to Resize to the left.

The backup image will only be the used partition size.

What 10gb Recovery Disk are you referring to - is this the size Dell Recovery wants for your Vista Recov Disks?

gregrocker said:

Start with 100gb for Win7, 100gb for User folders then you can Resize later if needed using Disk Mgmt or free Partition Wizard bootable CD when you need to Resize to the left.

I'm not sure why you would make a Recovery partition on the same HD. The smartest way is to save a Win7 backup image (the last step in my Perfect Install steps) to an external or another HD - you might plug back in your other HD for this purpose. This way you can still reimage your Win7 to a new HD if the HD dies.

Did you have another idea for the Recovery Partition?

Okay, I see. I also have an 160GB external aside from my 160GB internal that will be replaced with the 500GB. These back up images of W7 are quite large, so I'm trying to see what I can delete in order to save the image.

And for the 100GB for win7 and 100GB for user folders, that is done when installing win7 correct? This part - https://www.sevenforums.com/attachmen...ws-7-step8.jpg