Cant get w7 on laptop

[pablo70]

my 2nd hand laptop has vista on it and has 60 gig of its hard drive used up out of a possible 120gb hd , i want to put windows 7 on it so i wanted to do a full clean as the laptop is for my child , i tried using dban on the laptop and it would not work , the laptop is a e-system , anybody any thoughts ? thanks

 

[gregrocker]

Use the Win7 DVD to wipe the HD if you don't want Vista:

Back up your files externally, make your Recovery DIsks or save a backup image of the entire HD first so you have a path back to factory condition. Then wipe the HD of all code to get cleanest install: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

If you install to wiped HD, the installer will issue a 100mb System Reserved boot partition which conveniently places the Repair Console (normally only on the DVD or Repair CD) on the F8 Advanced Boot Tools menu. So boot the installer, choose Custom Install and then Drive Options to partition as you wish and format: Clean Install Windows 7

If you're using Upgrade version, leave the Product key box blank during install then afterwards do the quick registry workaround given here to activate Upgrade version on a cleaned HD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Just in case, have your Wireless driver on flash stick or CD so you can get online quickly. Then enable hardware driver auto-updating and check for optional Updates.

Any drivers still missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Driver Install - Device Manager

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they slow startup, become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. Startup Programs - Change

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner then Auslogics Disk Defragger monthly.
CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
http://download.cnet.com/Auslogics-D...-10567503.html

Then save a Windows 7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD (or replacement) using DVD/Repair CD with the stored image. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Pablo.


I would advise against the use of DBan as it's not reliable, the Windows in-built diskpart is a much more trustworthy way to do a secure erase of the entire HDD during the installation process and it can also be used to set-up partitions as needed, have a look through this information below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.


After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media, use Step One of this tutorial at the link below to do a wipe (secure erase) to the entire Hard Disk Drive / Solid State Drive.

• Then if you do not want to create the new Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #2 to create, format and mark Active a single 100GB partition to do the installation to.
• If you do want to create the "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #3 to create, format and mark Active the System Reserved partition and then create and format the 100GB partition to do the installation to.

Either way, running the "clean all" then creating and formatting the partition(s) using diskpart will get you the best possible space to do a clean install of Windows 7 to; you can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional Primary partitions or an Extended partition after the installation completes if you choose.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

 

[theog]

I personally always use the CLEAN ALL; it is well worth the time.