How to "start over" with PC. XP updated to 7 Pro - Clean Slate?

[Dumb]

How to "start over" with PC. XP updated to 7 Pro - Clean Slate?

Forgive me. New to the forum, read some threads, searched... but I do not feel I understand everything I need to know.

Background:
Old IBM desktop PC was running XP. Over a year ago I updated to Windows 7 Pro when I was in college... there was a promotion for college students I took advantage of. I was able to download something and upgrade (no install disk or retail image). I should note this was a legit download from an officiate with Microsoft... not some torrent thing. I have old emails from it saved, wonder if I could download it again?? Doubtful.

I have a lot of important files on my PC of my child. I want to get an external, move EVERYTHING to it (in the best way possible to me is a copy and paste to it).

Then I would like to completely format my PC and start over with a fresh clean hard drive, no software, nada.....

but, being my PC was XP and I downloaded the 7 pro upgrade I am really at a loss on how to do this.

1 - better method to backup evertything to an external?
2 - how do I completely wipe the pc
3 - how do I book up a fresh install of windows 7?

I am a "dumb" and broke recent college grad girl... this is way out of my element. Any help is greatly appreciated!!!

Thank you guys,
C -

 

[zigzag3143]

You are going to need a win 7 dvd which can be downloaded if you have a valid (legit) key/serial

1-I would do 2 things. First a backup of your data, and second a full backup/image. My personal choice for this is Acronis.

2-Boot from the win 7 dvd and when installing do a custom install (and check format drive)

3- Continue with the win 7 installation

You will have to re-install all your applications so you should have the applications original installers.

let us know if we can help

 

[theog]

Did you download the Windows 7 ISO & burn to DVD?


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html?ltr=C
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

 

[Dumb]

I got the promotion from Digital River something.... it seemed legit/Windows.

How do I download a Windows DVD... I also do not have a dvd burner, just a cd burner.

Can one be made from my current setup, or is there somewhere on windows site for putting in info to verify legit copy, then they allow me to dowload something I can burn?

Sounds like this wont be too bad then if I can figure out how to get the DVD. Thanks for the help hon!!

 

[Dumb]

Did you download the Windows 7 ISO & burn to DVD?


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html?ltr=C
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

on my external drive I have a ISO file for windows 7.....may be what I downloaded. Can this reinstall windows?

 

[rchris]

What you need is your Windows 7 Serial Number/Key, which you can find using a program like Piriform's Speccy or Belarc (both free). Then you could just borrow someone's Windows 7 DVD (same version, e.g., Win7 Pro--whatever you have now), install, and activate with your key.

As mentioned above, you can also make an image (as a safety factor), but that will just get you back to where you are now. And you can make that system image using Windows 7's built-in backup tools.

And, yes, if you have that ISO file, you can burn a DVD with a program like Imgburn (or others), but you'll still need the Serial Number/key to activate your new installation. *EDIT: Oops, just noted that you said you had no DVD burner, so that option is out. Maybe someone else can burn it for you.

 

[theog]

You can install with a USB Pen Drive.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html?ltr=U

You can download a ISO from here:
Windows 7 Professional SP1 ISO
English x86: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59183.iso

 

[Dumb]

I feel confident I have an ISO file.... can this be burned to a blank CD as a data disc and used to wipe / install Windows 7 again?

EDIT

okay, read closer.... I can use the program to find the product key....

I can use a 4GB flash drive with the extracted ISO on it to install....

how do I get my PC to boot from the flash and not like normal??

 

[1Bowtie]

I feel confident I have an ISO file.... can this be burned to a blank CD as a data disc and used to wipe / install Windows 7 again?

It can but will take multible CD's, if you could find someway to burn to DVD it will only take one. Yes it will wipe the HDD clean and have a fresh install.

 

[rchris]

I can use a 4GB flash drive with the extracted ISO on it to install....

how do I get my PC to boot from the flash and not like normal??

Enter the BIOS prior to Windows starting (usually the DEL or F2 key), and change the boot order so that USB is first.

 

[Dumb]

I can use a 4GB flash drive with the extracted ISO on it to install....

how do I get my PC to boot from the flash and not like normal??

Enter the BIOS prior to Windows starting (usually the DEL or F2 key), and change the boot order so that USB is first.

You guys are so great.

The ISO needs to be extracted, all moved to a flash drive, and then have the bios boot from the flash drive... so I guess it needs to be plugged in when i try to reboot into bios.

does the pc just run everything or will i need to tell it to run something....

before doing any of this i need to locate the product key and backup the HD....

that does not sound too bad. Am I missing anything?

Thank you guys!! I'm going to be feeling like a tech geek doing this (probably crazy easy for yall).

 

[rchris]

does the pc just run everything or will i need to tell it to run something....

before doing any of this i need to locate the product key and backup the HD....

that does not sound too bad. Am I missing anything?

Here is a link to screen shots that will walk you through the installation:
Windows 7 Clean Install Screens

Or, check out the tutorials on this site for "Windows 7 Installation."

 

[gregrocker]

You said you saved the emails from Digital River so search for the Product Key which should have been emailed. If it's not there then run Belarc Advisor to audit the Product Key from the HD before you reinstall.

Burn whichever bit version of your licensed version to DVD or write to flash stick using Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool:
Official ISO Downloads

Clean Install Windows 7