Deleting Everything Starting From Scratch

[AGame20]

Hey Guys,

New to this forum so sorry if this sounds like an uber newb thread, but yeah.

My girl asked me to look at her PC and check some stuff out, she said it wasn't working properly and took forever to start up, than forever to load up IE, so I did the basic stuff, installed Norton, did a dsk cleanup, dsk dfrag and all those lovely things, but still she is having problems. I am not sure what it is and she said, "just wipe it clean, i dont need anything saved just want it like i just bouight it". So I THOUGHT I go back and isntall XP on it, but i don't know if that wuold work, the PC came with windows 7 and i've read up that if it already came installed you can't revert back to it. Fair enough, but can I just clear the entire HD without having the windows 7 CD to reinstall? Please any suggestions would be lovely, I'm open to all and any good ideas, thanks!

 

[theog]

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create
​

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?


For better help with problems, Can you post your specs.
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/22550-filling-out-system-specs.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/6936-dont-know-what-hardware-you-have.html
VistaForums SysInfo Tool - Vista Forums

Make & model would be nice.

 

[AGame20]

Unfortunetaly she did not create a recovery disk or anything of that sort, I am filling out my system specs as we speak, sorry for the lack of information but the basics are the CPU is AMD Athlon(tm) Processor TF-20 and the motherboard is Acer Aspire 5532, hope that helps for now

 

[gregrocker]

If the PC came with Win7 then the licensed version on the COA sticker on the PC is yours for it's life to reinstall any way you like.

Many tech enthusiasts find a clean-copy DVD of their OS version and reinstall using the OEM Product Key on the COA sticker on machine. Any retail installer can also have all versions unlocked by extracting the ISO using ImgBurn, then run the ei.cfg removal tool, burn an all-versions DVD or write ISO to flash stick using this tool.

Back up your files externally, make your Recovery Disks so you have a path back to factory condition, or save a Backup Image of the entire HD first. Back up installed drivers from windows/system32/drivers, run an audit of installed hardware and software including keys using Belarc Advisor. Gather your program installers.

Boot the Windows 7 installer, choose Custom Install, then Drive Options (Advanced) to Delete all partitions not needed, following illustrated steps given here: Clean Install Windows 7.

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 frequently.

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 changes 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 Disk and Registry tabs, then Puran boot-time defragger + full Disk Check after adding Intelligent Optimizer on Additional Operations tab:
CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
http://download.cnet.com/Puran-Defra...-75115626.html

Finally 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

 

[AGame20]

I have to admit, I am a bit puzzled, it was alot of info for someone who has never done something like this but I'll def take a look at it and let it all settle in. Lol, I was looking at just doing this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

Would this work without a copy of Windows 7?

 

[theog]

Acer Empowering Technology > Acer eRecovery Management.
Acer Support - Answers, E-Mail, Chat - How can I restore my computer with the backup discs I created?

Manual how to use Acer eRecovery Management here:
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/empowering_technology/NB%20ET2%20user's%20guide/Acer%20eRecovery%20Management%20English.pdf

Have you tried pressing <Alt+F10> at boot up, to goto the Acer eRecovery Management.
Acer Support: Frequently Asked Questions list for How to use Acer eRecovery

You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:
https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer

 

[gregrocker]

No, you need to order the Recovery DIsks if you want the preinstalled factory bloatware programs, or find a Win7 installer if you want the cleanest possible install - either borrow one or if you must download it search for official Win7 ISO download at My Digital Life to get a safe copy.

 

[AGame20]

I guess I'll check online and try and get a Windows 7 Copy, burn the ISO or throw it on my flash ya?

 

[gregrocker]

Best choice. Tool to write to flash stick is in the steps I gave above.

 

[theog]

I would make drivers disk with Acer eRecovery Management first.

 

[AGame20]

anybody know where i can get a clean version of windows 7 to boot from?

 

[gregrocker]

Best is to borrow one from a friend, if necessary unlock all versions in ISO if necessary.

If you must download it then search for official Win7 ISO downloads from My Digital Life to get a safe copy.

Follow these steps to get a Perfect Reinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[karlsnooks]

I have to admit, I am a bit puzzled, it was alot of info for someone who has never done something like this but I'll def take a look at it and let it all settle in. Lol, I was looking at just doing this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

Would this work without a copy of Windows 7?

Work through the list given by our resident expert, GregRocker.

Follow his advice, precisely, to the letter, and completely.

You will be giving her a very sound and stable system.