Doing a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

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  1.    #141

    SilverGator said:
    OK, so I took a few days off from here because my Windows 7 STILL has not arrived. (Fist pumping to Best Buy!!!)

    Here are my remaining questions:

    gregrocker said:
    That recovery partition will be disabled (if it is factory installed) when you install Windows 7 so you can delete it, but you might want to make your recovery disk set if you haven't yet since those disks are generated from that partition. You would only need them if you wanted to restore the computer to factory condition so you can sell it, but want to migrate your WIndows 7 to your next computer.

    THen delete them both after booting from the installer, create one big partition (that's what it's called even if it's one) and format it.
    Because I have the DELL, I have the recovery disks. But I don't really care about that anyway - I never want to go back to Windows Vista (I am assuming).

    When I load Windows 7 from boot, before I delete the Recovery partition - does it *already* recognize that I have Vista on the computer? Meaning - does deleting that partition do anything to hurt the "upgrade" in recognizing that I had Vista on my system before I reformat and install 7 on the new full partition?

    zrtom said:
    If your system is a Dell, installing Windows 7 does not disable your recovery partition. And Dells do not have a "create recovery disk set" process. The recovery is all contained in the D:\RECOVERY\Dell\Factory.wim file which is run through the F8 Windows Recovery enviroment by the files in the D:\RECOVERY\Tools folder. Again, that is if your system is a Dell.

    Additionally, early reports indicate the mere existence of the D:\RECOVERY partition (which contains a Windows Preinstallation Environment besides the Factory.wim file and the Tools folder) obviates the need for tweaks or hacks to get an upgrade version of Windows 7 to clean install and activate on the first try.
    Tom
    I DO have DELL, actually. I understand that does not disable the Recovery partition - but would I have any use for it after installing Windows 7? Would Windows 7 utilize it? Otherwise, I think it would be obsolete for me? (Pointing to the second paragraph) would deleting said partition make doing the clean install/activate more difficult? Sorry, not very knowledgeable about partitions and their uses.

    Not at all, just boot from your Win7 install disk, choose Custom and delete all the partitions, create new ones you want, then format and install Win7 to the first one.

    Recovery partition has no bearing on the new OS, just wastes space and won't work anyway in most cases after new OS is installed.

    Plenty of reports in this thread that clean installs were done from boot without any traces of previous O.S., so it can be done, and if necessary the workarounds to get activated.are right here.
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  2. Posts : 24
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
       #142

    I would really prefer NOT to use a workaround. I just want it to work how it is supposed to. :) Just want to make sure that deleting the partition won't affect it working.

    Also, I keep seeing how I should NOT register it at first but do it later. Why is that? I mean, I am 100% legit about it - so what is the danger? I almost feel like I would prefer to register it during installation rather than after. I need a good reason (or two) not to.
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  3.    #143

    I put my key in when it first asked and it took it, then I installed from boot to a formatted drive and it activated as soon as I got online. So there should be no problem giving your key because it is able to somehow detect the previous O.S. even after formatting.

    However I just tried to zero the drive which wipes all traces from it, and that would not activate without doing the second Upgrade (repair) install over the installation.

    So I've confirmed here I believe that it is somehow reading a previous OS before installing from boot.

    But if it won't take your key and you want, you can restart and run the installer from your XP/Vista desktop and still get a clean install (just not format) which will immediately detect your qualifying OS. A shortcut to do this is a registry edit here: http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/cle...rade_media.asp
    Last edited by gregrocker; 27 Oct 2009 at 08:50.
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  4. Posts : 415
    W8 Pro, W7 Ultimate, XP Pro x64, Vista x64, Ubuntu
       #144

    Dell Factory Image Restoration


    Before this gets out of hand with speculation as to whether the Dell Factory Image Restoration process works or does not work after installing Windows 7, I thought I'd drop in to say it works; it's no longer "automated" but it works. The file Factory.wim is a windows image file. If you know anything about windows imaging you'll know that just that one file is all you need to restore the computer the way it shipped from Dell.

    I'm working on a tutorial for Dell owners but for the time being, here is how to restore a Dell to factory-shipped conditions when the option is no longer present in the F8 "Repair your computer" Windows Recovery Environment. This is for Vista Operating Systems.

    1. Boot Vista DVD that was shipped with computer. 2. Work your way to the command prompt. 3. Navigate to D:\Tools. 4. Type PCRestore.exe. 5. Authorize reformatting, sit back and 10-15 minutes later you'll be at the OOBE like the first time the computer was turned on.

    If for some reason the above doesn't work....
    1. Boot Vista disk. 2. From command prompt navigate to d:\Tools. 3. Type the following:
    imagex /apply D:\Dell\Image\Factory.wim 1 C:\

    There you have it. Back to factory shipped conditions in about 10 minutes. The key thing about "factory shipped" conditions is not so much to actually use Vista but for troubleshooting those real tough problems. The computer worked when it left the factory and if it doesn't work after restoring the factory image, it is almost definately a hardware problem.

    By the way, Dells generally don't ship with trialware or bloatware. I think the only thing you might find besides the Operating System itself is Dell Support Center and maybe Windows Live Essentials. I don't think they even put Google Desktop on anymore; at least not on my Mini 10 from May.

    Lastly, the redeployed factory image makes an excellent base with which to do an inplace upgrade to Windows 7. I generally advocate clean installs only. However there is a time and a place for everything. Before everyone gets on my case, think about it. It is a clean install of Vista with all the drivers that work; it's not an upgrade of a system that has been botched and hacked for two years; there's no data nor user (sometimes incorrectly) installed software.
    The upgrade goes very quickly and frankly, I've tried upgrade from Vista (fresh factory image) vs. fresh install on two high-end Dell Laptops side-by-side. I cannot see any difference at all with both subjective observations and objective benchmarks.

    What I have been doing on a couple of client's Dell computers is run the Factory Image Restoration process, upgrade it to W7 and dual boot that with a fresh W7 installation. The client has 30 days (more with rearming the software licensing manager) to decide which one they like better. Once they've decided, pick one, get rid of the other and activate. Why dual boot this way? Some W7 drivers aren't quite ready and Vista with good drivers upgraded to W7 is smoother than W7 with "green" drivers. That should all change in the upcoming months as more and more W7 drivers are refined.
    Tom
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  5. Posts : 12,177
    Windows 7 Ult x64 - SP1/ Windows 8 Pro x64
       #145

    + Rep


    Thanks for the info zrtom,

    I think everyone with a Dell (any OEM) should keep the recovery partition.

    If for some reason you can't keep it on your HD then keep a backup image of it or burn it to DVD.
    Your reasons for keeping it are valid.

    Looking forward to reading the tutorial.
    Can you extract the WIM file and run it?
    Would you need the WAIK file (6001.18000...kb3aikl_en.iso) to do that?

    Dell has a clause in the Hardware Warranty that you may have to install the original OS for hardware warranty issues.
    Even if you dual boot just for the warranty issue, having them replace hardware would make the recovery partition worth keeping.
    Last edited by Dave76; 27 Oct 2009 at 05:59.
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  6. Posts : 1,939
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit Steve Ballmer Signature Edition
       #146

    gregrocker said:
    However I just tried to zero the drive which wipes all traces from it, and that would not activate without doing the second Upgrade (repair) install over the installation.

    So I've confirmed here I believe that it is somehow reading code revealing a previous OS from formatted drive when installing from boot.
    SWEET! So the old Vista (Install twice) trick still works also! Cool!
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  7. Posts : 207
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Steve Ballmer Edition
       #147

    Sweet. My OEM Upgrade DVD Worked! It activated and is running great!!

    OEM software, gotta love it. dirt cheap.
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  8. Posts : 415
    W8 Pro, W7 Ultimate, XP Pro x64, Vista x64, Ubuntu
       #148

    Dave76 said:
    Thanks for the info zrtom,

    I think everyone with a Dell (any OEM) should keep the recovery partition.

    If for some reason you can't keep it on your HD then keep a backup image of it or burn it to DVD.
    Your reasons for keeping it are valid.

    Looking forward to reading the tutorial.
    Can you extract the WIM file and run it?
    Would you need the WAIK file (6001.18000...kb3aikl_en.iso) to do that?

    Dell has a clause in the Hardware Warranty that you may have to install the original OS for hardware warranty issues.
    Even if you dual boot just for the warranty issue, having them replace hardware would make the recovery partition worth keeping.
    Thanks Dave,
    The Tools folder in Dell recovery partitions has everything you need, including imagex, to mount the factory image. None of this is "disabled" by installing Windows 7, only the WinRE option to run PCRestore.exe (that's why it has to be done manually).
    Doing a  Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version-dell-tools-folder.jpg

    I've even gone as far as doing this:
    • Custom (clean) install the Operating System (Vista, W7, it doesn't matter).
    • Add tweaks
    • Add software (whatever... Adobe PS, Office, AV, Sling Player, etc., etc.)
    • Use the tool FacImg.exe to capture the new system and replace the file Factory.wim in the D:\RECOVERY\Image\ folder with my custom image. (The Dell tool FacImg.exe isn't part of the regular Tools folder..... I "obtained" it)
    I did that more before I switched to Vista Ultimate and, now, W7 Ultimate with it's own imaging. What I don't have and need to get my hands on is a copy of the Tools folder from someone who has Vista (or now W7) x64 'cause I only have 32-bit tools and I no longer use 32-bit OS's. I can still do this process, only not with FacImg.exe; I have to use imagex x64 from the WAIK.

    So, anyway, I should be writing a tutorial and not this....LOL
    Tom
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 39
    Vista
       #149

    gregrocker said:
    Howard Kaikow said:
    gregrocker said:

    I have not read that here. Most advice I've read here is to make your recovery disks and then delete the partition since it is disabled anyway if/when Vista is deleted. It was also pointed out recently that Dell's recovery partition is different and should likely be kept since it has important tools and can still later recover the Vista if Vista is wiped. But I have not verified this.
    I will be creating a dual boot Vista/Win 7 system, so I dare not delete the recovery partition, and certainly not before the warranty expires.

    In any case, I would restore from most recent image backup, not from recovery disks.
    Smart approach. Imaging ends reinstalls if saved externally in case of HDD failure.

    Since you are concerned about preserving your recovery partition, which will most likely be disabled by Win7 install, be sure to make the recovery disks from it (or order them) to have as backup. These disks normally restore eveything including the recovery partition to factory condition.

    But they also contain the bloatware, which is a good reason to dual boot with a fresh install of Win7, then copy your files between partitions via Explorer, even find drivers by browsing to the Vista partition's Windows>System32>Driverstore>File Repository.
    A Win 7 install has no business deleting/disabling a recovery partition.

    And I would not copy ANY OS files from Vista to Win 7.

    If Win 7 needs drivers for the notebook, and I doubt that, they are likely available at HP's web site.
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  10. Posts : 23
    Windows 7 Ultimate
       #150

    I'm confused with all the "upgrade" discs available. There's Full, Upgrade and Upgrade from XXXX.

    I'm on Build 7100 right now and want to upgrade. According to this thread, you can do a full clean install using an upgrade disc. Does that mean I can purchase an "upgrade from Home" Ultimate disc and successfully do a clean full install of W7 Ultimate?
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