Solved Clean installation of Windows 7 did not delete my files/programs

[win7masterrace]

Installation was successful, but I wanted the new install to delete everything in my hard drive and free up space. However I still see remnants of files and folders, and Windows Explorer shows my hard drive to be over half full.

Does this mean I should manually wipe the hard drive and then reinstall Windows again? If so, how would I go about doing it? Note that I can't access the internet on the 'broken' computer, or use a CD/DVD because my current laptop doesn't have a CD drive so I can't burn one.

On a slightly related note, I had trouble installing (using a flash drive) a chipset driver and network driver, the chipset one stating that my computer did not meet minimum requirements, and the network one outright failing. Does this have anything to do with the hard drive being too full, or is this a deeper problem that some housecleaning won't fix?

One last thing - my computer is able to boot to XP, which I don't use. I'm not too interested in keeping it on my computer if there is a simple way of getting rid of it without risk.

Thanks!

 

[Layback Bear]

First off you must not of done a Clean Install or nothing but Windows 7 would be on the computer with one drive installed.

If your computer is working properly now, I would recommend you do not do a Clean Install at this time.

Read these tutorials by Brink and will explain what is and how to do a Clean Install using USB.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Things you must do first before trying a Clean Install.

1. Make sure you have the proper activation COA key.
2. Make sure you have the proper copy of the exact Windows 7 that matches the COA key.

I'm not quite sure what you have done but maybe you tried using the Recovery method offered by the computer manufacture.

Could you exactly complete this tutorial by Golden so we can see some things.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

If all you are trying to clean up the crapware and junk from your computer we have guidelines we can recommend.

 

[win7masterrace]

Interesting... Those two tutorials you posted are in fact the ones I used. Here is the screencap.

 

[Layback Bear]

Then I don't understand how you ended up with a OEM partition before the (C) partition on disk (0).

**Where and how did you get your copy of Windows 7?

You state you have XP installed. I don't see it.

I think what you did was wipe XP on disk (1) and Windows 7 is booting off the (C) partition on disk (0). Which is okay.

NOW so we don't go off on tangents could you just state
what problems you are having with your computer?

Without writing a book what are you trying to do?

 

[win7masterrace]

Both Windows 7 and XP came installed on the computer. I just tested it again and I am mysteriously still able to boot to XP.

I just want to 1. clean out my old leftover junk and 2. get the necessary drivers successfully installed. Thanks.

 

[Layback Bear]

Windows 7 pretty much come with need drivers. If more are needed Windows 7 Update normally picks them up.

What drivers do you need?
We have a member that can hunt down drivers for most anything.
I doubt that you need drivers. If the ones you have work just leave them along.

Their are many tools and methods for cleaning your system. Here are a few I found in the forum Tutorial. Like any other cleaning you must be careful and make it done properly.

By Brink:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/818-disk-cleanup-open-use.html


By gregrocker:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219576-clean-up-factory-bloatware.html

By Andrew 129260:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/306648-ccleaner-delete-junk-files.html

 

[win7masterrace]

Thanks for the links! Windows Update can't work its magic yet since I can't connect to the internet, I'm assuming it's because I'm missing a network driver. Dell's website has drivers on it so looking for one is not a problem. I haven't had success running the .exe file from a flash drive (not sure if that's the right way to do it).

 

[maxie]

Hi ... Can you please Post the Model Number of your Dell Laptop ...

 

[Layback Bear]

Thanks Maxie for coming to help.

 

[win7masterrace]

Hi, the model is Latitude E6410.

 

[maxie]

Install the following Drivers from the Link below ...


1 Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility


2 Intel Unified AMT6 HECI Driver



3 Intel 825xx Gigabit Platform LAN Network Device Diagnostics Utility



As for the Wireless Card select it right click select Property's / Details Tab

Post any Info you see there ...


Product Support | Dell US

 

[win7masterrace]

I installed the first one, but couldn't complete the second - it says "This computer does not meet the minimum requirements for installing the software".

 

[maxie]

What about the the Third one ? ...

Did you read the rest of my Post ? ...

 

[win7masterrace]

Third one installed successfully, I initially didn't install it because I was concerned installing out of order might cause issues, my bad. As for the second part, I can't locate the wireless card in Device Manager:

 

[maxie]

Install the following Driver .... Dell ControlPoint Security Device Driver Pack ...


Select the Network Controller right click select Property's / Details Tab ...

Post any info you see there please ...

As for the other Devices the first Driver should fix that ...

 

[win7masterrace]

Driver installed successfully.

When I open Properties to the Details tab, it is by default on "Device Description", where there is not much of value. Which properties would you like to look at? I can't post them all right now since there are quite a few.

 

[maxie]

It is the Network Controller we need to get sorted ... Unless you can remember which one was Installed it is any ones guess ...


There is quite a lot of Drivers on the Dell Website for Wireless ...

Apart from Opening the Machine do not know what else to suggest ...

 

[win7masterrace]

Looks like I got lucky, internet now works after trying 2 drivers. Thanks for the help.

 

[maxie]

Most welcome glad you got it sorted ...

 

[Layback Bear]

Glad things are now working for you win7masterrace.

Thank you maxie for coming to help with the driver problem.