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

[dynamite140]

Greg... aren't i missing most drivers now? I have to put the application cd in to install the internet and other things. And yes when i was installing windows 7, i picked the install recommended updates as oppose to install only important updates or don't install any updates.

I can't go online now on desktop unless i install the application cd.

 

[gregrocker]

Repeating:

from Reinstalling Windows 7 :

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Just in case, have your Wireless driver on flash stick or CD so you can get online quickly. Then enable hardware driver auto-updating and check for optional Updates frequently.
Any drivers still missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Driver Install - Device Manager

You typed out last night listings which showed the Dell OEM partition and Recovery partition.

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

Had you kept those you would have likely retained the ability to run Dell Diagnostics and Factory Recovery from boot, but now you'll need to order Factory Recovery Disks if you ever have the need to run full Factory Recovery. However most users will not go back to Factory Image after running a Clean Reinstall which is a vastly superior install.

The Dell Diagnostics are available on the Dell Website for download to run from a stick if you should need them in the future. They are nothing special and we use better Hard Drive and Memory tests here anyway.

 

[dynamite140]

Greg, so what do you want me to do now?

So you want me to run the dell application cd and download all the drivers now? And thus i can start going online? Don't i still need to do this part?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html

A poster told me to do the clean disk 0 which is what i did earlier but it was wrong? I followed the instructions.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

A poster told me to do the clean disk 0 which is what i did earlier but it was wrong? I followed the instructions.

No, it wasn't wrong. You did OK.

Try to follow Greg's advice from here on out. Your partitions are fine.

 

[gregrocker]

You do not want to rely on the dated Drivers disk because there are newer drivers on the Dell Support Downloads webpage for your model after putting in your tag number from sticker. http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/DriversHome/NeedProductSelection

Put your Dell wireless driver download on a stick and install it to get online and get your drivers via optional Windows Updates.

Once online select all of the Important and Optional Updates and run them while you're setting up your desktop, then after Updates ask for a reboot, go back and continue installing as many Important and Optional Updates as you're given.

Only then check in Device Manager for any missing drivers and import them from the Dell Downloads webpage for your tag number.

There is a chance you won't have SP1 in the Dell Reinstallation DVD which is why I linked you to a newer Win7 ISO for your version. If so you'll need to run many Updates and eventually SP1 will appear to install. Do them all.

 

[dynamite140]

I just did and entered my desktop service tag and all i see are 3 downloads... one is removable storage and 2 others are nVidia Driver...

Are these what you want me to download and save to usb?

 

[dynamite140]

greg, im very slow with computers. I had asked someone else earlier in the thread and he told me just do the clean all which i did and then after that, follow the instructions to create partition.

Then after that, i just wanted to confirm and then you and sonic said i have to do something else, which is why im asking more questions.

 

[dynamite140]

Im downloading it now. I see 3 files for my service tag. And another 54 files. Do you want me to download all of them? And if not, which one is the internet? I assume its under network and called broadband driver? When i did it with my cd, i basically just installed and extracted every single thing.

 

[gregrocker]

Im downloading it now. I see 3 files for my service tag. And another 54 files. Do you want me to download all of them? And if not, which one is the internet? I assume its under network and called broadband driver? When i did it with my cd, i basically just installed and extracted every single thing.

What is your Service Tag and I'll help you find the correct driver.

 

[dynamite140]

Hi greg. I put CLEAN.... not CLEAN ALL.

On desktop when i go to device manager and update driver in ethernet controller , it gives me 2 options, one is search automiatcally for updated driver software and browse my computer for driver software.

Both methods don't work...

 

[dynamite140]

Service Tag is 2BFWRL1.

At the moment, im downloading those 3 files specifically for my desktop.

 

[gregrocker]

It appears Atheros is your wireless. Broadcom is likely your Ethernet.

Do you mainly use wireless or ethernet cable?

Ethernet is normally always provided by installer.

Are you sure you don't have either or both already installed in Device Manager? Do they show that they need a driver with an ! mark?

You may only need to connect to your network. Ethernet often starts up connected after install.

 

[dynamite140]

Hi. Sometimes i connect my cable modem to my desktop so i'm wired. But at this moment, i put my wireless router back on so i could go on the laptop.

 

[dynamite140]

Do you want me to unplug my router now and connect my internet wired ? Is that what you mean?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, it's likely you'd already be online had you been plugged into Ethernet.

Are there applications you want from the Applications disk? A lot of them are bloatware so if you don't rely on those programs I would hold off installing them until you need one.

Same with the drivers, use the ones given by optional Updates and only import those missing in Device manager.

There are some hotfixes and other downloads which help enable drivers to run better but I'd wait to see how performance pans out first while studying them to first realize exactly what they are for.

 

[dynamite140]

Yes they both have that Yellow Exclamation Point. I have those 2 exclamation point everytime i try to reinstall windows and only way to fix this was install the driver cd from dell..

 

[gregrocker]

Yes plug in the wire as it's likely you'd already be online since the installer delivers ethernet driver 90% of the time.

The drivers disk is just an outdated verson of the drivers posted online, with some applications which I'd only install if you rely on them. You can always add any later.

 

[dynamite140]

Greg, i basically install every program from that application CD so it would make my computer work. I have no clue what im installing. I just extract every program. Of course i rather not download and extract bloatware but i have no idea of the programs in the cd, so i just do every single one.

 

[gregrocker]

Why not only import that programs that you rely upon now? You can always add others later. All I ever want is Works, for example.

It defeats the purpose of a clean reinstall to replace all the bloatware. You might as well run Factory Recovery.

 

[dynamite140]

Okay i connected my desktop wired with my cable modem and internet doesn't work.