Clean install from Vista, but forgot to format

[Hazarrd]

Hi, I was having issues getting Windows 7 onto a fresh SSD (problems with partitioning and formatting drive) so, as recommended in another forum, I did a clean install of Vista on the drive and then did a clean install of Windows 7. The only problem is that I forgot to format the drive prior to doing the clean install of Windows 7. There are a few questions I have now that I'm in this position:

(1) I see that there is a second Windows folder called Windows.old (or something to that effect; I'm not in front of the box right now). Did Vista leave a bunch of files behind even though I did a clean install? Can/should I manually remove these, and maybe other, files? What other files might exist that I should get rid of?

(2) I now have a dualboot option screen. There are two options: Vista and some non-OS option (I want to say Ramdisk, but I know that's wrong. It's something strange like that). What exactly is this option and how do I get rid of it?

(3) Would I be better suited to just re-do the entire process, but this time with a format before the Windows 7 install? I'm concerned that if I did the format, I might run into the problems I was having before with installing Windows 7 (the installation was unable to format the drive).

(4) Is there a standard partition size for the partition needed for system files? I did not readjust the partition after Vista created what it needed to. It's something over 1GB. Should I make any adjustments or just leave it?

Thanks!

 

[jfar]

Hi, if you did not want anything on the Vista drive that you forgot to format, then just delete the Windows Old file.

 

[The Sly Assassin]

welcome to the forums, now.
1. this windows.old contains all your old files and such from vista install. If you forgot to back up any files, now would be a good time to move them to an external HD, or thumbdrive.
2. Yes, Formatting then installing windows 7 would be the easy way out.
3. As stated somewhere in the forums here, 20gb should cover system files, if you intend to install programs onto the SSD with the OS, then you will need to make the system partition bigger, depending on how many programs you intend to install.
Hope it helps.