Solved Format question

[WolfSoul]

In the past Windows gave you options of quick and full format at setup
Now Win 7 only gives the quick option as far as I know
Would full be better or not.. and is it possible to do a full format without reverting to old Windows versions setup disks

 

[richc46]

When you get to the screen asking for custom or Clean, click advanced, you can make a full format.
Step 6
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html?filter[2]=General Tips
You can make a clean install with an upgrade version, if you have the underlying supporting OS.

 

[Solarstarshines]

Because of the bandwidth available a fast erase is a better option either way it go they are about the same

even after a full erase still some of the hdd space is dedicated to the os so there is nothing to worry about plus 7 is more workable then previous windows

and yes i do concur richc46

 

[WolfSoul]

Seems only difference between both is a full format checks bad sectors, which you can also apparently do from within windows
But I will check into the options.. next time I decide to reinstall

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello.



A format does nothing, you may care to have a look at this tutorial at the link below for future use.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

   Note

Contrary to popular belief, formatting does not remove any data at all, it just checks for sector errors and marks the space to be over-written as needed, all the data is still there including all the code from previous/failed installation attempts.

​

 

[richc46]

Hello.



A format does nothing, you may care to have a look at this tutorial at the link below for future use.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

   Note

Contrary to popular belief, formatting does not remove any data at all, it just checks for sector errors and marks the space to be over-written as needed, all the data is still there including all the code from previous/failed installation attempts.

​

I agree with this suggestion. I have helped many using this tutorial. You may want to benefit, too.

 

[WolfSoul]

Yea Ive checked tghat out.. looks a bit complex but anyhow, will read it a bit more thorough
Actually my only "concern" if you can call it that is if you reinstall Windows if the old Windows would leave some traces behind, weather hidden or not

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

If you only run a format and do the install, then remints are definitely left behind.

A "clean all" is not too complicated, here's a tutorial that shows how to boot the PC to diskpart.

DISKPART : At PC Startup

 

[WolfSoul]

I will be trying to follow those tutortials (they made more sense after a couple more look throughs).. when I reinstall.. and have the time.. you see my disks are all 1 TB and reading those instructions.. your way predicts 4 hrs, although it probably depends on all hardware?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Using this and after the wipe, be sure to create the 100GB partition to install Windows to and in future if/when you reinstall it will only be necessary to wipe the 100GB Windows partition instead of the entire HDD using the "partition specific" wipe method outlined in Option Three of this tutorial.


Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

 

[WolfSoul]

That sounds handy... although I used to dislike that whole system partition thing

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Methods/ideas change and evolve; some are now having serious issues getting Windows 7 to install to such large 'partitions' as 1 & 2TB and it's much easier to create just a single 100GB partition to do the installation to and after it's finished create the other partitions needed for data and storage and in a reinstallation there's no need to move the data elsewhere to safe-guard it from the installer.

 

[WolfSoul]

is kinda handy too with dual boots isn't it?

 

[WolfSoul]

Er.. 100 GB.. this isn't related to the 100 MB one right?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Er.. 100 GB.. this isn't related to the 100 MB one right?

No have a look at Step Two #s 2 & 3 in this tutorial to see the difference between the two.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation



We're now seeing that the new default of 100MB for the Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition can be too small for everything that can have access to it, so we're now suggesting that the SysResv partition be created at 200MB if one chooses to use it.

 

[WolfSoul]

Ok I just need to create the C at 100 GB and the rest of the disk at 900 GB (+- on 1 TB)
Im about to test your method very soon..

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Well remember to post back to this same thread so we'll know how it sorts out for you.

 

[WolfSoul]

Just one thing Im confused about.. do you format or not?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

If you use the method outlined in Step Two #2 do not use the Windows 7 installer to format, you use diskpart to do a full format after the wipe as part of the complete process; just click next when presented with this dialog box during the install.

click to enlarge

​

 

[WolfSoul]

Alrighty got it.. I will try this and let know what happened