install problems

[DirtyElf]

ok i have at least two good sticks of ram and one good mobo slot. does it matter what configuration my sticks of ram are in when i run memtest? if i know i have two good sticks and put them in two other slots that i have not tested and then that runs clean for 6-7 passes then that confirms that both of those slots are good? or do i need to do each slot one at a time with one good known stick?

 

[gregrocker]

I think you're good. Test the other slots if you want. Have you tried install yet?

 

[DirtyElf]

have not tried the install again, just got back from my trip, bad news about the dolphins...

should i run the hard drive test before i try the install? i have at least two good sticks, so i'll do the install with the one known good one, then once it installs put in the other one for a total of 4 gigs, and RMA my other two sticks.. then when they come back i can have all 8 gigs.. this time ill run memtest on the memory first

 

[gregrocker]

If you found that a RAM stick you were trying to install with is bad, then I'd try install again with good expectations. Catch up with the rest of your hardware testing later from Win7.

 

[DirtyElf]

alright, ill try the install after dinner... i should be ok without doing another clean all on the HDD right?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes. Use current partitioning. If it fails, boot in again to use Drive Tools to delete partitioning, create new then format again before install.

 

[DirtyElf]

installing now, with known good stick of ram in known good mobo slot... i cant watch

 

[DirtyElf]

ok i made it to the desktop!

what should i do first to keep this install as clean as possible... at the moment i only have my wired ps/2 keyboard plugged in, should i plug in my wireless receiver for my keyboard and mouse?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again Bryan.





Glad to see you got it running and thanks for keeping us updated.



Just make 1 change at a time to see if it'll cause issues and then go on to the next one.

 

[eldinv]

Create a system image, quickly. It can be use to restore to the current state if anything comes up in the future.

How to Create a System Image in Windows 7

I prefer Macrium and many others do too. Checkout WHS video tutorial its life savor! LOL

Imaging with free Macrium

 

[DirtyElf]

create the system image before installing drivers and other things? .. i can create system images as i go.. keeping it stable, is that the idea?

 

[DocBrown]

Here is a FREE (Today only) backup software program to add to you collection for your Windows Toolbox items

http://www.sevenforums.com/software/88827-give-away-day-21.html#post985229

 

[DirtyElf]

ok so after i make an image, then what should i begin installing first?

1. drivers (video, and any other ones in device manager with a !)
2. windows updates
3. if all is well create another image?
4. programs

5. enjoy..

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

That sounds like a plan!

 

[DirtyElf]

i have a 250gig external hard drive that i want to put my system image on... but win7 wont let me because its not NTFS.. when i try to format the drive to NTFS its not an option.. only FAT32


why is that, and is there a way to format it to NTFS anyways?

google is my friend, i apologize.... http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/tips/advanced/ntfs.mspx

 

[eldinv]

What kind of error message you got?

Go to computer, located the drive you want to format, right click over the drive and choose format.

The default file system is probably something else like FAT32, it can be changed to NTFS.

If still having issues, maybe someone knows how to do it under command, or you can always use a bootable partition manager to create partitions, format, etc..

Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

 

[DirtyElf]

i was doing it in winxp, i figured it out.. i found the link i posted... creating my system image now on my win7 machine

 

[eldinv]

ok so after i make an image, then what should i begin installing first?

1. drivers (video, and any other ones in device manager with a !)
2. windows updates
3. if all is well create another image?
4. programs

5. enjoy..

I'd create image like this:

1st- Immediately after installation; pre-activation!

**At this point I would probably create my DATA partition, and change the location for the user folders.
Data Partition
User Folders - Change Default Location

2nd- After activation, installation of antivirus program and all Windows updates.

3rd- Install all applications needed, then do a full virus scan and a system defrag, then the last system image.

**REMEMBER** this isn't XP, don't go crazy installing crappy outdated application. That goes for registry cleaners, optimization and system defrag tools.

Just have fun with it, this is the part I love, installation, LOL % remember to Image at least Monthly.

 

[eldinv]

i was doing it in winxp, i figured it out.. i found the link i posted... creating my system image now on my win7 machine

So you ended up going with Windows 7 built-in imaging process?

 

[DirtyElf]

yes i did, seemed the easiest for me. anything to watch out for when doing it this way?

now im not so sure what im doing with these user folders.. i created my data partition Z: and i want to move the data to them... do i need to move all of the folders? which and where are they?


edit: only thing i installed so far is asus pc probe II to check my temps... was worried about high temps in the bios.. pc probe says 36C so i think im ok with the heatsink.. was worried