Solved How to combine two primary partitions into one.

[gregrocker]

I think the slmgr commands can be run from disk Command Line. Will check to see.

 

[Raul]

Thanks, I think ill go with Belarc

I'm still unsure about doing a clean install or not. I don't plan on going back to Vista, so if there is a way I can delete the OEM partitions now I can try it, or should I really just leave them as is in case they do contain important files like you say.

If all is good, I think the issue should be solved now? Should I go ahead with marking it solved?

 

[gregrocker]

I explained above that on Acer they have no important files that can be used.

 

[whs]

Why are you picking on those small OEM partitions. They don't hurt anything. Just leave them alone.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I just ran the command mentioned by Urth from the command line:

slmgr -xpr | slmgr -dlv

It reveals if your current Product Key is OEM or Retail, but it doesn't provide the key itself. It also tells you if the installation is permanently activated.

Raul: all I meant by my comment is that I was afraid you were about to go ahead with a clean install without having the Product Key in hand. If you don't have it, you won't be able to reactivate your clean install.

It sounded to me like you were about to leap into the process without having the key.

 

[gregrocker]

Because on Acer these have nothing that can still run and are wasted space. I just explained that above. This is no longer guess work after one deals with it thousands of times.

 

[Raul]

@ ignatzatsonic Ah I see Sorry if my answer came of as crude.

Ok I'm confused because I'm getting different answers, do I leave them or do I delete them? If they are wasted space and unimportant I'd like to remove them.

Is there any other way beside link you provided, gregrocker? Because it looked a bit too much for me, I'm not too comfortable with my IT knowledge.

 

[gregrocker]

Most of the steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 are preparatory so you don't forget anything which is discovered after it's too late, and the tools and methods which work best for Win7 based on tens of thousands of installs we've helped with here.

The actual illustrated steps are in Clean Install Windows 7 which will get you through the install itself. I would use the Drive Options pictured in Steps 7/8 to delete all partitions to get the cleanest install.

If there is any reason to keep any OEM partition it would be in a Special Note to Acer Owners at the end of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 but there isn't one because there are none.

 

[whs]

@ ignatzatsonic Ah I see Sorry if my answer came of as crude.

Ok I'm confused because I'm getting different answers, do I leave them or do I delete them? If they are wasted space and unimportant I'd like to remove them.

Is there any other way beside link you provided, gregrocker? Because it looked a bit too much for me, I'm not too comfortable with my IT knowledge.

It is really up to you. If you need that bit of diskspace, delete the partitions. For making use of that space you will need the Partition Wizard - preferably the bootable CD or stick.

Gregs procedure is good, but you need a valid product ky. It may sound a bit complicated but it really is only a clean install with an iso you get from Digital River.

 

[Raul]

I think that settles it then. I don't want to make it worse and I can go without those 13GB.

The issue should be solved now? If there isn't anything else should I go ahead with marking the thread solved?

 

[Urthboundmisfit]

I can personally vouch for Greg's superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 method having done more than a half dozen or so OEM bloated installations for myself, family & friends.

 

[whs]

Good decision. You are not starving for disk space. And if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If you are all done, mark the thread as solved.

 

[AddRAM]

Why is your C partition labeled Data ?

 

[gregrocker]

He apparently installed Win7 on the Data partition, thinking he was upgrading native Vista on D.

 

[Raul]

I will be marking the thread as solved then. Thanks for the help