Formatting Windows 7 Questions

[dynamite140]

hey guys. I have a desktop that was bought from dell brand new last year. Its an i5-750m processor 4gb ram 7200rpm hard drive. I noticed that the day i got it, it was really slow. Takes a while for programs to load and firefox always frozed. Even when i use explorer, it takes so long and my computer lags so much.

I want to format my desktop now. I just want to make sure that under my circumstances, just follow the tutorial correct? My windows 7 is 64 bit. I don't mind erasing everything from my computer and starting brand new with nothing in it. How would i be able to do this if i cannot find my windows 7 cd? I am not sure but i dont think dell gave me a format cd for windows 7. I will look for it later today but i am positive i didn't get one.

Can someone answer my questions? And about how long would it take to do the format? I also have an asus laptop that i bought last year and bought the recovery cd for it that allow you to format windows 7. Would i be able to use that cd on my dell desktop?

 

[Bill2]

The asus recovery CD will not work on the dell computer. But you can restore the dell to factory state (the way it came out of the box) using the recovery partition. Make sure you back up any critical data beforehand.

Restoring Your Dell Computer to Original Factory Installation with Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 - KB Article - 353562 | Dell

If you want to clean install windows, you'll need a regular win7 install disk. You can borrow it from a friend or google to find a clean iso online. Install the same edition as the one that came preinstalled on your computer, then activate using the sticker key.

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

Make sure you create recovery disks first using the dell datasafe program, you can restore to factory state at any time using these disks.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello.


Here's some other information to expand on what Bill has suggested and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.


After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media; if you can find an exact Windows version that the PC shipped with you can do a clean install using the activation key on the COA sticker attached to the PC though it may require a robo-call to MS to sort the OEM batch-key.

How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone


If you can't find an exact same version, you could use the info in this tutorial to create an "all versions" installer of any version Windows installer, to install using the same method I posted above.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create


After you have made backups of everything you care to save, the best method is to do a complete wipe (secure erase) of the entire Hard Disk Drive first, it over-writes everything, all the old Windows code including all the old drivers/programs, giving you the best possible space to install Windows to.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

 

[theog]

How to use Dell Recovery, & how to order Recovery Disks.
Dell - Support

 

[gregrocker]

I would make the Dell Recovery Disks so you have a backup method, then run the Recovery Partition using the steps given by Bill2. See if this improves performance after cleaning up the factory bloatware a bit following these steps: http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...p-all-four-primary-partitions.html#post952573

If not find a Win7 installer for your version and clean reinstall Win7 to wiped HD following these tips to get a purrfect reinstall of factory OEM: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

 

[dynamite140]

Hey guys. I checked and the cd i got is Dell Drivers and Utilities CD. How can i format my desktop since i didn't receive a windows 7 cd from dell? Or is this the cd?

It shows at the bottom For reinstalling Dell studio xps 8100 computer software but I'm pretty sure this isn't the format cd right?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again.


That CD will not install Windows at all; if you need to reinstall see my post #3 above for the relevant information.

 

[theog]

The asus recovery CD will not work on the dell computer. But you can restore the dell to factory state (the way it came out of the box) using the recovery partition. Make sure you back up any critical data beforehand.

Restoring Your Dell Computer to Original Factory Installation with Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 - KB Article - 353562 | Dell

If you want to clean install windows, you'll need a regular win7 install disk. You can borrow it from a friend or google to find a clean iso online. Install the same edition as the one that came preinstalled on your computer, then activate using the sticker key.

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

Make sure you create recovery disks first using the dell datasafe program, you can restore to factory state at any time using these disks.

How to use Dell Recovery, & how to order Recovery Disks.
Dell - Support

Have you read the Dell information?

 

[gregrocker]

Hey guys. I checked and the cd i got is Dell Drivers and Utilities CD. How can i format my desktop since i didn't receive a windows 7 cd from dell? Or is this the cd?

It shows at the bottom For reinstalling Dell studio xps 8100 computer software but I'm pretty sure this isn't the format cd right?

Please read and follow the steps which we took the time to write out for you here, don't just ignore them.

Dell Factory Recovery is quite good and may solve your problems. If not find a clean copy installation DVD for your version to clean reinstall following the steps posted.

Back up your files first.

 

[dynamite140]

hey guys thanks. I asked this on another forum and they told me all i had to do was this if i don't have the cd.

Windows 7 Recovery Partition - Windows 7

Would this method be a lot easier? The steps seem to be very simple.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I just had a cursory look at the link you posted and a
couple of the recovery methods they list are incorrect. :roflmao:


Here are the newer instructions for a Dell, this will over-write the data on the machine so back-up anything you do not want to lose first.

   Information

New Dell
Turn on the computer.

2 As the computer starts, press <F8> on the keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.

Note:
You must press <F8> before the Windows logo appears on the screen. If you press <F8> after the Windows logo appears on the screen, the Advanced Boot Options menu will not appear on the screen. If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.

3 Press the <Down Arrow> on the keyboard to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press <Enter>.

4 Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.

5 Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.

6 Click Dell Factory Image Restore.

7 In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.

8 Click to select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.

9 Click Next.
The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.

10 When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.

 

[dynamite140]

hey. So after i do all this, it will take about 1 hour or so and then everything should be good to go? Is there going to be some options that will confuse me a bit like which partitioin drive to choose?

 

[dynamite140]

Hey guys.

I haven't tried this yet because it sounds too simple. I asked my friend who knows computers and he said he didn't think it was possible to reformat a computer without a CD. Do you know if this is true or not? I also don't want to risk doing all this and then my computer not working. Can someone else confirm that doing those 10 steps would work?

Thanks!

 

[gregrocker]

Dell Factory Recovery is a stable way to reinstall your OS, although along with it will come the preinstalled bloatware and useless factory utilities which have better versions built into Win7. If you're going to run Recovery, it's most stable to run it from the partition as the Recovery Disks can fail and should be used only to reinstall to a new HD.

If you're not confident in Factory Recovery you can always save a Win7 backup image so you can easily reimage the HD exactly to where it is now from the Win7 Repair CD which you should have on hands to repair the OS if it doesn't boot anyway: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

Many tech enthusiasts find a clean copy Installation DVD for their Win7 version to get a cleaner reinstall of just Win7. Here are tips for getting a purrfect install based on hundreds done here: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

Other options are to troubleshoot the problems you're having now with these steps.

If you decide to run Factory Recovery, here are tips to clean up factory bloatware.

 

[dynamite140]

okay i burned the system repair disc. It only took about 5 minutes. Is that the back up cd?

I'm confused. Should i just do the dell factory restore now or plug this cd to restore it? also, i'm confused. If i do the factory restore, it would have the bloatware but if i use the cd, it won't?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

If you're going to follow your friend's advice, why are you asking us?


Have you even tried the steps in my post#11 above to see if it will work for you?

 

[Golden]

Can someone else confirm that doing those 10 steps would work?

Hi Dynamite,

If BFK says the 10 steps will work, then it will work.

My suggestions is to follow his advice - he doesn't have 20,000 odd posts and a huge reputation for nothing.

Have a go at that and post back here if you need more help

Regards,
Golden

 

[dynamite140]

bare foot kid, my friend is okay with computers. He isn't really smart. I didn't want to try that method yet because he said if somehow it screws up and i don't have a recovery cd, i'm screwed. Is that true?

I just burned the recovery disc folllowing the steps in gregrocker's system repair disc he posted.. However, it only took 5 minutes. But i hear online that people say its suppose to take 3 hours?? I am confused because when i check the recovery disc info, it shows 3 folders and just shows my desktop but that is ONLY 1KB. Did that mean i burned the recovery cd wrong?

Does this mean right now i have the option of doing the 10 steps you posted and or just booting the cd i burned?


Thanks!

 

[theog]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html
Is only Startup Repair Disk would only take 5 minutes to burn.

Dell Recovery Disks, may take 3 hours to burn.

You can do the the 10 steps from F8, if you have not made the Dell Recovery Disks.

 

[gregrocker]

I gave you the link to burn a Repair CD which is used to Repair or reimage Win7. You need to have one in case Win7 becomes unbootable, and to make a Win7 Backup Image so that you have a path back if Recovery fails and you have no Recovery Disks as a backup, or they fail also.

Here is how to save a Win7 backup image: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
Here is how to reimage the HD from the saved image by booting the Repair CD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

Now make your Recovery Disk set so you have a backup method to Factory Recover, then run Recovery using the steps which were given.

If you have any questions, ask back so that you fully understand the difference between Repair CD, Recovery Disks, or finding a Win7 Installation DVD to clean http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729.