The Clean Reinstall is a much better install, your chance to get it totally perfect so you can then save a backup image and never have to reinstall again.
If the Diagnostics don't run from boot then I'd delete all partitions during Custom install, then just click Next to let the installer create and format your install partition (unless you want to create more than one).
I didn't format over the entire hard drive btw, just the partition that windows was installed on, and another partition where ubuntu failed to install. Hopefully I can merge it back when everything is running correctly.
btw, the dell hardware diagnostics does work.
How can I mark it as active without an OS, do you mean to wait till I have installed the OS?
Ok, to be clear, you want me to download the bootable CD. Put it on a USB flashdrive to boot, and mark the recovery partition as active?
No, but I'm downloading the windows 7 home premium DVD now, but I want to try the partition mark as active tool. Im downloading a bootable ISO, and going to burn it to a USB flashdrive to try to set the recovery partition as active.
You can mark it active with any partitioning software (bootable cd). For example Free download Magic Partition Manager Software, partition magic alternative, free partition magic, partition magic Windows 7 and server partition software - Partition Wizard Online (the last listed download).
But maybe you have to reinstall anyway.
I'll give it a quick try while windows 7 downloads.
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