Think I've reinstalled to Recovery drive in error


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #1

    Think I've reinstalled to Recovery drive in error


    Hi,

    I had some kind of virus on my pc yesterday that wouldn't allow a system restore or to run windows so I tried to clean reinstall windows 7 using the Dell reinstallation DVD.

    However, I think by mistake I reinstalled to the recovery drive/partition which now only has 762 MB free of 14.6 GB. Strangley, after the reinstall the recovery drive was (C) and the OS was (D).

    I tried to correct the issue by clean reinstalling again, this time choosing to reinstall to the OS. Now, the OS is (C) and the recovery is (D) but the recovery still has a red 'bar' beneath it stating only 762 MB is free of 14.6 GB (the OS has 259 GB free of 283 GB).

    When I turn on the computer it now goes to windows boot manager with two Windows 7 options (I think this is because I've reinstalled it twice, once to the recovery partition and once to the OS? Is this right?) and asks me to choose. It then takes ages to load the windows configurations before bringing me to the screen to enter my password. One other issue is the built-in speakers now don't work, but headphones do, the error message states 'the peripheral does not appear to be plugged in. Check the connection. Proceed to next step to finish', then 'The speaker, headset or headphone is unplugged' - there's nothing to plug though, they're internal!

    It would be great if anyone knew how to fix this (especially the issue with Windows 7 being reinstalled to the recovery drive, I can live without the built-in speakers if need be).

    Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give.
      My Computer

  2.    #2

    Confirm you have overwritten your Recovery partition by attempting to run Dell Recovery: Dell Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings

    If so, you no longer have any need for it or for any OEM/tools partitions since you have chosen to clean reinstall with the DVD which applies only a pristine copy of the OS without any of the preinstalled factory bloatware in the Recovery image.

    Now start over with the Reinstallation DVD (a valuable asset no longer included by makers) and follow these steps to get a perfect reinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7

    If there are any problems with the install, wipe the HD to clean the boot sector of any corrupt code: SSD Tweaks and Optimizations in Windows 7
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5,056
    Windows 7 x64 pro/ Windows 7 x86 Pro/ XP SP3 x86
       #3

    1) Its possible the recovery partition has been written to either by the wrong install or system restore points using that space in the past. If that has indeed happened, the recovery partition would be unusable. But since you have a working reinstallation dvd, that shouldnt be an issue.

    2) I suggest that you do away with the recovery partition and reclaim that space by deleting it and formatting it.

    3) After deleting the recovery partition, you can remove its entry in the boot menu.

    https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...list-boot.html

    In case theres a startup issue, run startup repair.

    Startup Repair

    4) The speaker problem is unrelated and probably just needs the right drivers.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7,730
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
       #4

    A couple of questions for you:

    What did Dell give you, if anything? Was it a recovery disc or a Windows 7 disc?

    Can you upload a screenshot of your disk management setup making sure the title bars are at full width so we can see exactly what's going on.

    It would appear you've installed Windows twice so we do need to know how you're set up at the moment.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hi guys,

    Really appreciate the responses.

    The disk I have from Dell came with the PC seavixen32 when I purchased it around 18 months ago, it's a green disc that says 'Operating System' at the top and beneath this says Reinstallation DVD Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit. I've tried to attach a screen shot of what I think is the disk management set up but I'm not the most technically savvy of guys so apologies if it's wrong!

    Think I've reinstalled to Recovery drive in error-screen-shot.png
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7,730
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
       #6

    What you have is a Windows DVD rather than a recovery disc.

    If you use it to re-install Windows you will lose your recovery partition and you will need to re-install all your drivers.

    Windows 7 Manual Reinstall | Dell
      My Computer

  7.    #7

    As stated before since you have the valuable Win7 Installation DVD which contains a pristine copy of the OS without the corrupting bloatware which weighs Win7 down, you will no longer need the OEM tools partition or the Recovery which you have overwritten with your new install anyway.

    Your best approach now is to follow these steps to get a perfect reinstall to the whole HD, deleting all partitions during install to create new ones as you desire: Reinstalling Windows 7

    This is not XP: Win7 is driver complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Any drivers then missing can be found on the Dell Support Downloads webpage for your tag number. I would not change out drivers given by the installer unless performance problems point to them.
    Last edited by gregrocker; 14 Jun 2011 at 13:39.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #8

    showandgo said:
    Hi,

    I had some kind of virus on my pc yesterday that wouldn't allow a system restore or to run windows so I tried to clean reinstall windows 7 using the Dell reinstallation DVD.

    However, I think by mistake I reinstalled to the recovery drive/partition which now only has 762 MB free of 14.6 GB. Strangley, after the reinstall the recovery drive was (C) and the OS was (D).

    I tried to correct the issue by clean reinstalling again, this time choosing to reinstall to the OS. Now, the OS is (C) and the recovery is (D) but the recovery still has a red 'bar' beneath it stating only 762 MB is free of 14.6 GB (the OS has 259 GB free of 283 GB).

    When I turn on the computer it now goes to windows boot manager with two Windows 7 options (I think this is because I've reinstalled it twice, once to the recovery partition and once to the OS? Is this right?) and asks me to choose. It then takes ages to load the windows configurations before bringing me to the screen to enter my password. One other issue is the built-in speakers now don't work, but headphones do, the error message states 'the peripheral does not appear to be plugged in. Check the connection. Proceed to next step to finish', then 'The speaker, headset or headphone is unplugged' - there's nothing to plug though, they're internal!

    It would be great if anyone knew how to fix this (especially the issue with Windows 7 being reinstalled to the recovery drive, I can live without the built-in speakers if need be).

    Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give.
    Bill2 said:
    1) Its possible the recovery partition has been written to either by the wrong install or system restore points using that space in the past. If that has indeed happened, the recovery partition would be unusable. But since you have a working reinstallation dvd, that shouldnt be an issue.

    2) I suggest that you do away with the recovery partition and reclaim that space by deleting it and formatting it.

    3) After deleting the recovery partition, you can remove its entry in the boot menu.

    https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...list-boot.html

    In case theres a startup issue, run startup repair.

    Startup Repair

    4) The speaker problem is unrelated and probably just needs the right drivers.

    You are now Dual booting with the Recovery Partition & Windodws 7.

    Can you post a screen shot of the contents in D: drive?
      My Computer


 

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