Confirm "clean" vs "repair" install from .iso?

[SJesMe]

Installed Win 7 SP1 with media refresh from heidoc.net (X17-58997). Made it a bootable dvd with MS USB/DVD Download Tool. Booted from dvd and used "custom" install option. I did not reformat nor set partitions (this is where I maybe goofed?).

My disk mgmt ended up looking like this:



BUT, I also have a windows.old file which I understand only appears after a repair. Also, I thought System Reserved was supposed to be 100 MB and mine is 350??

So do I have a clean install or a repair install? There have been a couple of glitches (display adapter acting up and WMP initially not playing any files until I reinstalled mf.dll file).

Any comments? Help? Suggestions? Thank you in advance.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

With Windows.old, doesn't look like a clean install to me.

You didn't have to "format" or "set partitions", but you should have deleted ALL existing partitions on disc 0----if you wanted a clean install. Deleting all partitions turns the entire disc 0 into "unallocated space" and you then install directly to the unallocated space---without directly partitioning it.

Was your E drive disconnected when you did the install to C? E should not be "active".

I know next to nothing about Windows.old--maybe you can just delete it instead of a re-do, but a clean install is not going to have it.

I've seen System Reserved vary in size, but not sure I ever saw 350. But you should have deleted it as well.

 

[SJesMe]

Thank you for your response ignatzatsonic. I did NOT have the E drive (external HD) connected when I did the installation, only when I took the screenshot afterwards. I've been told I can delete windows.old without issue ... I guess I'm just not understanding why I didn't get a clean install but for the fact that I did NOT delete all partitions.

That being the case, perhaps the System Reserved is now holding the boot info for the "old" installation, as well as the (not-so) "clean" installation? Thus accounting for it's size? If true, would that be potentially a problem?

 

[NoN]

Looks it did a repair install instead as you didn't used the Drive options (advanced) in the Customs install during the first process to have an unallocated space within the entire drive.

I will save my datas and redo the entire install process while you're freshly there, just to have the cleanest install.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

That being the case, perhaps the System Reserved is now holding the boot info for the "old" installation, as well as the (not-so) "clean" installation? Thus accounting for it's size? If true, would that be potentially a problem?

I'd guess you are right about that. Not sure I've ever heard of it being a problem, but....................

If you don't have a lot of apps already installed and time invested, I'd just do it over, deleting ALL partitions, with the E drive disconnected.

Shouldn't take over a half hour, plus whatever time it takes to re-download Windows Updates---I'm assuming you've already done that?

I'd expect System Reserved to then be more like 200 MB or less.

 

[SJesMe]

My thanks to you Non and ignatzatsonic. In light of the fact that there is not much to re-do, I'd rather know I have a clean install upon which to build than take a chance for weird conflicts down the road. I had already installed all but optional updates ... *shrug* no biggie. One more time ... !

Two last questions, (1) do you recommend installing machine specific Lan, chipset, video and audio drivers first, before allowing "recommended settings" to download Windows Updates? and (2) is a reformat necessary?

 

[gregrocker]

Always boot the installer and not run it from an OS, use the Drive Options shown in Clean Install Windows 7 to delete all partitions, then create new as you wish, format, choose the first large partition, then click Next to install.

Other tips same as here to get and keep a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. Pay special attention to how drivers are best handled in the first driver-complete OS.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Two last questions, (1) do you recommend installing machine specific Lan, chipset, video and audio drivers first, before allowing "recommended settings" to download Windows Updates? and (2) is a reformat necessary?

Windows should install necessary drivers, BUT, I'd nonetheless download the LAN driver from motherboard manufacturer site in case Windows doesn't supply it---you have to be sure of Internet connectivity.

Get Windows Updates. If you subsequently develop problems, then perhaps investigate other drivers. If not, stay with those drivers supplied by Windows and Windows Update.

A re-format per se is not necessary. What is necessary is deletion of all existing partitions. You could make partitions if you want, but if you don't, the installer will install directly to the "unallocated space" that remains after all partitions have been deleted and will format as required with no direct command to do so.

If you don't make specific partitions during the install process, you could later modify their size after Windows is installed. Or continue to accept default partition sizes (100 or 200 mb System Reserved; all else on C). That's personal choice. Most here would tell you to keep data on its own partition, not on C---but that's up to you. If you in fact want a data partition, you may as well make it during the installation process immediately after deleting all existing partitions.

 

[SJesMe]

Thank you Gregrocker and ignatzatsonic. I have followed your tutorials Gregrocker and they are extremely helpful ... any mess ups are on me as I stopped considering myself computer savvy when XP was declared Dead.

I understand that the OS should be on it's own partition for ease of reinstalling at any future date. It is something I will consider this next go-round.

With respect to drivers, I know for an absolute fact that nVidia drivers are purely flakey and hesitate to install anything from anywhere that don't play nicely. Finding a stable one is nearly an exercise in futility. LAN driver is a must of course but as for chipset and audio, perhaps I'll see whether Windows / Windows Updates will supply what works. Today's the day so, in the words of Terminator ... I'll be back!

Many thanks again.