How to wipe out everything on computer for reinstallation of Windows 7

If it's still a bit unclear what to do the just get rid of the 'old windows'. Then over time do a bit more research into it.

dynamite140 said:

So right now what is the best option. Just reinstall it again? If i just delete the old windows folder... that wouldn't make it as clean right?

sonic... I have no idea. Is that what i need to do? What i want right now is to clean my computer and wipe it fully. Is deleting the partition then what i need to do? I remembered there was 3 or 4 partititions. So you want me to delete all of them? Or just leave the big one out? Are you 100% sure i can delete it? When i was at the screen... all i remembered was it told me to pick one and thats it.

If you delete them all, your entire hard drive will be "unallocated space"--without any partitions.

If you then continue after deleting all partitions, Windows will automatically create a new large partition for you and put Windows on it.

You will end up with 2 partitions: 1 tiny tiny one that contains your boot files and another large one that contains Windows itself.

But I have no idea if that is what you want to do.

I'm assuming you have a valid Windows installation disc and a proper Product Key.

Diskpart CAN be used to make partitions, but it is NOT required.

Yes i have the valid windows installation disc. That is how i did the installation.

So right now i should do it again... but this time make sure i delete the other partitions? There were 3-4 partitiions. So you are positive that the moment i hit that screen, then i delete all of the partitiions or all but 1?

Again, i want to wipe out everything on computer fresh.

I'd urge you to make backup disks so you can restore your Dell to factory condition before you do anything.

This Windows disk you have---did you get it from Dell or did you buy it somewhere?

What exactly does it say on it?

Do you have a product key?

if you clean all the partitions make sure you don't need anything on them cause once you clean it it's gone. you'll have a hard time getting them back. in short make sure you no what your doing before doing it.


scrooge

dynamite140 said:

Yes i have the valid windows installation disc. That is how i did the installation.

So right now i should do it again... but this time make sure i delete the other partitions? There were 3-4 partitiions. So you are positive that the moment i hit that screen, then i delete all of the partitiions or all but 1?

Again, i want to wipe out everything on computer fresh.

Can you post Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums

Of your disk management window maximized,

I got the disk from dell. Actually i requested it like 1 year before my warranty so they sent it to me free of charge.

Okay so i just installed the cd again. Now it says

Where do you want to install windows
Total Size Free Space Type
Disk 0 Partition 1 39MB 30Mb OEM Reserved
Disk 0 Partition 2 Recovery I Drive 14.6GB 9.2gb System
Disk 0 Partition 3 OS C Drive 451.1GB 388.8gb Primary


I picked Partition 3 last time. So what am i suppose to do now? You want me to highlight partition 1 and 2 and delete it?

I can't do that right now... im posting from my laptop at the moment while doing trying to clean my windows 7 on desktop computer...

You should do what Derekimo asked you to do in post 26: post a screen shot of Disk Management so we know exactly what is going on.

If you have already done a reinstall, I'm not sure if that 14.6 gig "recovery" partition will ever help you.

Repeat: do you have a product key? Do you have a set of "recovery disks"?

Okay so right now what should i do then? I have those 3 options. Can i delete one of these partitions? That is what someone else said I'm suppose to do earlier when i was at that screen. But all i did was select partition 3 because it was the biggest partition.

I'm at that screen at the moment.