How to wipe out everything on computer for reinstallation of Windows 7

[dynamite140]

I just want to make sure im doing this right. I have my computer on, put my windows 7 cd in, then run it. Then select english langugage. then the screen pops up to install windows... the blue one... then i clicked shift and f10 and the cmd comes.

Then enter everything... still error. I didn't need to restart my computer right?

 

[dynamite140]

Okay what do i do now assuming i did it correctly? I still see the error message.

 

[derekimo]

I just want to make sure im doing this right. I have my computer on, put my windows 7 cd in, then run it. Then select english langugage. then the screen pops up to install windows... the blue one... then i clicked shift and f10 and the cmd comes.

Then enter everything... still error.I didn't need to restart my computer right?[/QUOTE]


No, you do need to restart your computer with the disc in the optical drive.

You should see a prompt to press a certain key to boot from CD/DVD, do so.

That is what is meant by "booting" from the disc, by doing that you are actually using the disc and not the hard drive, you should then be able to follow the rest of the instructions.

 

[dynamite140]

Okay so you want me to restart computer while the cd is there. Then press f12 to boot?

 

[derekimo]

Okay so you want me to restart computer while the cd is there. Then press f12 to boot?

Yes.

 

[dynamite140]

okay i did that part. Then i typed exit and clicked enter.

Now i close this box and just install windows 7 ?

 

[derekimo]

okay heres my problem. I'm at that windows blue screen where im suppose to go to start menu to do the command prompt. But now i can't do this as the whole screen is like this and pressing start button doesn't work.

What start menu?

Are you getting a screen similar to this?

 

[dynamite140]

Hi yes my mistake. I forgot i had to do shift and f10 but got it to work. I cleaned it and it took like 5 seconds.

After i type exit and enter, i just close the box and install windows 7?

 

[derekimo]

Hi yes my mistake. I forgot i had to do shift and f10 but got it to work. I cleaned it and it took like 5 seconds.

After i type exit and enter, i just close the box and install windows 7?

Yes. Lets slow down a bit too, you're editing your posts in the middle of a response.

We'll get there, post back before you start your install.

 

[dynamite140]

Okay. I see the thing that ask me where to install windows and all i see is disk 0. I clicked on drivers advanced. I also see option to click on NEW. The options for delete, format and extend are in gray and i cant click it.

Do i just click next? Or click on New?

 

[dynamite140]

By the way disk 0 says unallocated space. Total size 465.8 gb and free size 465.8gb.

 

[derekimo]

Okay. I see the thing that ask me where to install windows and all i see is disk 0. I clicked on drivers advanced. I also see option to click on NEW. The options for delete, format and extend are in gray and i cant click it.

Do i just click next? Or click on New?

Just click next.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Below are the the set of steps you needed to do in Diskpart.

Did you do all of these steps, including format?

Boot from your install disk and then:

1. Once Windows 7 Setup is loaded, press Shift + F10 keys at the first setup screen (which allows selection of language, keyboard and locale). A Command Prompt window will be opened.

2. Run Diskpart, the built-in disk partitioning tool of Windows 7, with the following command:

diskpart

3. Type in the following commands one by one, followed by the Enter key to create a partition (text in brackets are comments only):

list disk (to show the ID number of the hard disk to partition, normally Disk 0)

select disk 0 (change 0 to another number if applicable)

clean

create partition primary

select partition 1

active

format fs=ntfs quick

exit

4. Type exit at command prompt to close Command Prompt window.

You will be returned to the Windows installation disk interface and continue as normal. When you get to the screen that asks where you want to install Windows, direct it to the partition you just made in Diskpart.

 

[dynamite140]

Okay right now its still installing. So after i install it. I have to do it over again but with the partition?

​

Below are the the set of steps you needed to do in Diskpart.

Did you do all of these steps, including format?

Boot from your install disk and then:

1. Once Windows 7 Setup is loaded, press Shift + F10 keys at the first setup screen (which allows selection of language, keyboard and locale). A Command Prompt window will be opened.

2. Run Diskpart, the built-in disk partitioning tool of Windows 7, with the following command:

diskpart

3. Type in the following commands one by one, followed by the Enter key to create a partition (text in brackets are comments only):

list disk (to show the ID number of the hard disk to partition, normally Disk 0)

select disk 0 (change 0 to another number if applicable)

clean


Didn't i just do this earlier?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Didn't i just do this earlier?

I just got online today and am not sure exactly what you did in Diskpart.

There is more than 1 way to skin a cat.

You can make your partitions and format in Diskpart if you want to, or do that later in Windows installation.

If you are installing now, it looks like Derekimo got you straightened out.

When the install finishes, post another picture of Disk Management so we can see what you have done.

Good luck.

 

[dynamite140]

Okay windows is installed. So right now you want me to do those things first before installing the drivers right? And yes, i have the application cd for the drivers.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Okay windows is installed. So right now you want me to do those things first before installing the drivers right? And yes, i have the application cd for the drivers.

No.

Don't do those things. That is what you COULD have done, but it looks like you are OK now.

Post a picture of Disk Management.

 

[dynamite140]

Hi. In order for me to actually post the picture, i need internet on my desktop. So i would first need to install the applications on my desktop first.

I'm posting on a laptop now...

So you want me to install the drivers then? I could just type it out what i see on the disk management.

 

[gregrocker]

If you are not getting the Drive Options (Advanced) choice on the Drives Selection screen:

it means you are not booting the installer but running it from Windows. You should always boot the installer. How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD

Then follow these steps to get a perfect clean reinstall of factory OEM: Reinstalling Windows 7

In your case with the Dell, I would leave the OEM and Recovery partitions as OEM contains the onboard Dell Diagnostics which you can run from Win7 or from boot to check your hardware if there are problems, and the Dell factory Recovery can be made to run if you ever want to restore your computer to factory condition to sell it or return it for warranty service, etc.

However if you don't want the Recovery partition, or have made the disks already and feel they are sufficient, then you can delete Recovery partition along with C when booted into installer, create a New partition(s) as you wish, then choose the first empty partition to format and install.

The last partition listings you posted look correct so if you want to keep it, fine.

Total Size Free Space Type
Disk 0 Partition 1 39MB 30Mb OEM Reserved
Disk 0 Partition 2 Recovery I Drive 14.6GB 9.2gb System
Disk 0 Partition 3 OS C Drive 451.1GB 388.8gb Primary

If you want to get the cleaner install by correctly booting the installer then follow the steps I have repeatedly linked for Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[dynamite140]

Greg, yes i had that picture. I then clicked next instead of new because derikimo said clicked new.