Reformat or installation of windows 7 on laptop - no disc

dtemple89 · 24 Aug 2012

I have a Sony Vaio laptop and I have been hit with several virus' which has generally slowed my laptop down and permanently changed some of the settings.

I was hoping to reinstall windows 7 on it to start again but it came pre-installed on the laptop and I have no disc

I was wondering if anyone could help at all, even if i didn't have to reinstall windows and there was another way of doing it

I just really want to start fresh

All important documents and files are already backed up on a removable hard drive

Thanks, Dan

Golden · 24 Aug 2012

Welcome to SevenForums Dan.

Indeed, the best option is to format and then install Windows 7 from fresh, and its easier to do than you think :)

Please follow the suggestions in the tutorial - it explains the preparatory steps you should take, where you get a legitimate Windows ISO (when you don't have a disk) and other tips and tricks:

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Post back here if you need more help, or wish to check anything before you start.

Regards,
Golden

dtemple89 · 24 Aug 2012

Thank you very much for your help, first problem.....

do i want English x86 or x64

on sticker on battery it just says... Windows 7 Home Premium OA

Golden · 24 Aug 2012

Hi,

Either will work - it depends what you had before. 32 bit or 64 bit?

x86 = 32 bit
x64 = 64 bit

If you have 4GB or more of RAM, I recommend x64.

To check what you currently have installed : Start > Control Panel > System and Security > System

Reformat or installation of windows 7 on laptop - no disc-capture.jpg

Regards,
Golden

dtemple89 · 24 Aug 2012

hey, im pretty confused by all this, the dowloaded file wont burn to disc, can i put it on my external hard drive?

also do i need to make a recovery disc or should it all be fine after install??

sorry im being pretty useless

Golden · 24 Aug 2012

Hi,

If you have the option to make recovery disks, then I would do so first.

Try burning the ISO at 4x speed suing IMGBURN, or use the USB method. Note that the entire USB will be formatted, so do NOT use your backup external USB device.

Regards,
Golden

ignatzatsonic · 24 Aug 2012

dtemple89 said:

the dowloaded file wont burn to disc

What file did you download from this list?

Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life

dtemple89 · 24 Aug 2012

It's not the file, more that my cd drive is pretty nackered. I now have a mem stick for it though

I don't have anything for a back up disc tho, I've saved all the stuff I need on an external hard drive so can I just do it with the memory stick??

Golden · 24 Aug 2012

dtemple89 said:

I've saved all the stuff I need on an external hard drive so can I just do it with the memory stick??

By memory stick, do you mean your external backup drive? If yes, then do NOT use that since the Windows ISO tool WILL format that drive.

Get yourself a different USB thumb-drive/memory stick for this - a minimum of 4GB is required.

Regards,
Golden