Loading Win7 on two separate HDD drives, same computer.

[gregrocker]

We're here to help if you need us.

 

[Glidercj]

Greg,

I have a few questions regarding the installation and image backup, etc..

First your comment regarding the update - "On Windows Updates, I have had no problems selecting all of the Recommended and Optional Updates as a batch to install, however you can install them in smaller groups if you have been having problems with your particular machine's reaction to Updates before. I always go first to the Optional Updates to see what drivers are updated from the ones in the installer since it is more than a year old now. Those drivers are important."

My question - How do I control the up and downloading of these updates after 7 is installed. How do I view these so I know which ones to install?

Second question regarding Image backup - Once I've created the image backup (hopefully I won't need to) impliment this feature/program/utility (which ever name applies) if needed? Also is it better to create a disc or use the HD?

Third question regarding program start ups - When I begin downloading my software how to address the start up issue and avoid having the program load itself to to the start up list?

Glidercj

 

[1Bowtie]

Morning Glidercj

In control panel/Windows update/ left column/ change settings i have the first 3 boxes checked/ and you can set how often and what time to check for updates
Next Q backups should be put on a different drive just in case your os drive crashes, when you get the comp up and running the way you want we can discuss the value of keeping a current image
Next Q program startups are a matter of preferrence, it doesn't hurt to uncheck them at startup because there still there when you need them

 

[Lunarpancake]

not sure if this has been mentioned but you could always use Acronis or Macrium or another program to create an image of your C: hard drive. Install the image on the spare hard drive and if the first one fails you have a spare that you can instantly swap to.

This may be helpful for you too:

How I setup my pc's:

1) install OS onto single hard drive and fully update the OS
2) install all applications that i NEED (not games and other stuff I dont need)
3) create image of that hard drive and save to external hard drive.
4) plug-in second internal hard drive and use it as my program files location for all non needed applications and storage alternative for my NAS.

Note: you dont need to use second hard drive for program files stuff I do it because my SSD is only 64gb.

 

[Glidercj]

Thanx again for all the info 1Bowtie and Lunarpancake!

Back to you 1Bowtie regarding the updates, what my Q pertained to was at the end of the install windows automatically begins to search for updates - how do I control this - can I decline to upload at that time?
I don't believe I can open the control panel at this point during the install, can I???

Regarding your joke about "get to work/only joking" my skin is three inches thick from doing field service work 20+ yrs. I have all the scares to prove it from being thrown to the lions when management could answer their questions. So feel free to bust balls! Mine are cast iron at this point in time. Man do I miss the years without people being offended! Life was a laugh!!!

Glidercj

 

[gregrocker]

The install will ask you if you want to Update Automatically. If you choose that it will start Updating before you open Windows Update. Either way, open it right after install, select all the Updates including optional to install - or select them in small groups if you want. Win7 is not like XP where you need to worry about Updates malfunctioning - the process is totally interactive with your OS so it provides only what you need except in the rarest case. You most certainly want any Drivers given in optional Update unless Win7 rejects them.

You do want to use Win7 Backup Imaging which is built into Win7. This is the modern way to back up your OS and programs once you set it up so that you never have to reinstall again, just reimage from backup using your DVD/Repair CD and the stored image in 15 minutes and you're back up and running.

Here is how to save a backup image to another HD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
This is how the image is restored: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html
If you want more flexibility as to what is imaged and where it's restored, use free Macrium Reflect or Paragon Backup 10. Win7 Backup imaging is new and will only restore the partitions selected for backup to exactly where they were on the HD or its replacement.

To avoid allowing a program to startup with Windows, watch closely for that choice (as well as spyware toolbars they like to sneak by you) during program install - don't allow updaters or checking for newer versions since they'll do that when you use the program anyway. If you find that or any other program has still snuck into your msconfig>Startup list then follow these steps to remove it: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1401-startup-programs-change.html

Be aware that may persistent programs that spy to sell your consumer information like RealPlayer will continue to sneak into your Startup list unless you find the near-hidden Setting in the Program itself to turn off. It takes some searching for "Preferences," "Updates," "Settings," etc to find the listing to turn off its Updater but you will get the knack of it after awhile. For example, Adobe Reader will keep turning back on its Updater after updates in msconfig unless you open it and turn off that option under Edit>Preferences.

 

[Glidercj]

Greg,
Last night the install commenced, it would appear all went well! Although it took quite a while for it complete. When it was finished it looked for the updates, all two of them!? I did notice that windows did another update while I was setting up my desk top, screen backdrop and gadgets. I got the balloon for a brief moment stating windows updates but that only took a few seconds as it seemed. I want to make sure I have all of those that are required. I guess the best way to do this to perform a manual update?
Also when I activated the eval for the Wei score the graphics score was 4.3 - I did a google regarding what I thought was a low score (found out it is the next one down for the highest) I'm going to try updating the driver to see if I can get this into the high 4's or 5's. My Graphics card is EVGA GeForce 9500 GT 1GB PCIe w/Dual Link DVI. When I bought it I thought it was a kick a** card.
Going back the install - it seemed to take longer that the initial install but that was with a 500GB drive, this time it is a 1TB drive. Is that the difference in install time?

Glidercj

 

[1Bowtie]

Hi Glidercj

That WEI score means nothing in real world computing and looks about right for your computer. The real test is it stable and do the things i need to do. Now since you installed on a 1tb drive i would partition it say 150 gig OS and the rest for Programs, Junk, Pic's, Music, etc or you may want to format one of the other smaller drives or both and after you get it completely updated make an image and put it on one of the smaller drives. Let us know and we'll help any way we can

 

[gregrocker]

Did you open Windows Updates, select all Recommended and Optional Updates and install them?

One of the most important steps is to update your drivers from Optional Windows Updates, as I've mentioned several times.

Here are some other tips to make sure you get a perfect install: re-install windows 7

 

[Glidercj]

Greg,

No I did not, ran out of time last night to complete all of your instructions (please keep in mind that when I'm working it's a 17 - 18 hour day/night before I have free time).
I wanted to get the Avast on there before roaming around the net.
As for partitioning the HD - what are the advantages of making smaller drives out of one big drive.
Is it to keep data away from the OS? Faster search time on the partitions ?????
Doesn't 150 GB seem quite big for OS (C drive) if that's all it's going to be allocated for?

The computer now starts up lightening quick and shut down fast as well. Although I don't have programs installed yet it appears to be stable.
As I install the programs I will reboot after each one and see how the system functions. Can I check the performance log/print out to create a base line for performance?

Glidercj

 

[gregrocker]

Install your Updates first, including the critical Security Updates to fortify your firewall and important driver updates cued in Optional.

It's a good idea to monitor the Performance log and Event Viewer>Custom Views>Admin to google repeat errors text and ID# to resolution.

Partitioning is up to your personal preference. Some like to keep the User folders on a separate data partition so that the OS/Programs partition image is lean, and so if Win7 becomes irreparable it can be reimaged to its partition while the data is current and waiting in its partition. Including the data in the OS partition means it won't be current when reimaged, unless you back it up separately.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I would not let all the WU updates try to install all at one time, you're just asking for trouble.


In the Windows start menu, all programs, Windows update, upper left pane change settings, choose "never check" so you can install updates one or two at a time so you can see which may be causing issues.

 

[Glidercj]

Okay,
The install went just great! I now all of the updates loaded to include the optional items as well. Most were security updates and a few system. The optional was one security, Graphics driver, mouse driver and I don't remember the last one -but it was very small.
I've loaded most of my software and rebooted after each one (did the same on the updates for the most part and for the security issues I selected 8 - 10 at a time).
The machine is fast and responsive, shuts down correctly also rebooting is pretty quick too.
Greg, just for you so you don't think I'm slacking - I stayed up until 11pm to finish all of this. I'm sure you're saying WOW 11pm, however I have to get up at 3am and drive forty miles to work. LOL
I want to upload the CCleaner and the others you've recommended. So I'll get to that on my day off Friday.
There are a lot of items you recommended that I have to shift through because our plan of action has changed constantly over the last few weeks, so what is relevent with the current situation I'll address.

I do have two questions:
Revo is a third party utility program?
Second, I partitioned the "C:" drive but it was done after the installation, I missed that during the install process. When I did it last night the OS system (from device mgr) would not allow me to shrink the drive any smaller than about half of the remaining drive size (467 MB of the 1TB drive). No matter what I tried it would not go smaller. 1Bowtie suggested 150MB for "C:", best I could do was the 467MB.

Glidercj

 

[1Bowtie]

Morning Glidercj

Just a heads up, Revo some people use it but be very careful if you decide too, for me i have never needed it, i use add/remove built right into Windows, next CCCleaner be very careful useing it, i've never needed it i run disk cleanup regularly. There may be a time for 3rd party prog's but wait till you actually need them. Sound like you have a smooth running comp time to keep it that way.

The partitioning is ok if it suits you 467Gig is better than 1TB, i think you can go in and shrink C: again that will give you another 230Gig of unallocated space which you can extend to D: if you desire. Other than that sounds like everything went your way. If you have any more questions just ask we're always around.

 

[Glidercj]

Good morning 1Bowtie,
I thought of doing that last night, spliting the new partition - it won't let me do it!
Unless there is another way to reduce the size it looks that's it.
Gregrocker recommended those 3rd party utilities, I've used ccleaner in XP. So you say disk cleanup will do the same I'll go that way. I'm of the OEM type guy then using aftermarket stuff unless I have no other choice.
While I'm on the subject - what is the best way(s) to keep the system running smooth using the OEM programs?
Glidercj

 

[gregrocker]

You can wait to install Revo until you have a major program that needs uninstall. It can finds hundreds of dead leftover Registry Keys and files which otherwise would clog the registry.

CCleaner works fine for Win7, both the disk and registry cleaner. It has never given me an issue on hundreds of installs representing thousands of uses.

Another outstanding tool for Win7 is free Partition Wizard bootable CD, which can do any partitioning operation that Disk Mgmt can't. Boot it, rightclick C to Resize to see how much it will allow you to shrink it. It has DataSafe so it won't fail during resizing, only reboot to start over again until you bail out if it can't complete.

 

[1Bowtie]

When you say OEM programs what prog are we talking about, name's. As far as the third party prog's some people worry about reg entries, if there not causeing any problems why worry about them. If you want problems just out the wrong thing in the registry, unless you know what your doing stay out of the registry. More people come in here with problem with BSOD and then you find out they outed some reg entry or change this value and now the comp won't boot, it's just a word of warning.

 

[Glidercj]

1Bowtie,
I was referring to the Windows OS with these features, uninstall, disk cleanup etc..

 

[1Bowtie]

1Bowtie,
I was referring to the Windows OS with these features, uninstall, disk cleanup etc..

If you'll do those things on a regular basis, get those Windows updates, do regular backups, use Microsoft Security Essentales for AV, and safe computeing, you will have a smooth running computer

 

[Glidercj]

Greetings Gregrocker,

Well I'm done with all we've talked about to including the "Partition Wizard", worked like a charm. I was able to reduce (shrink) the "C" drive down to a nice 150GB. All was going good until this afternoon until I was investigating how to transfer files from one comuter to the other. When I clicked on the X to close the "My Computer" window (while another window was closing) the computer locked up. After a few minutes I decided to take a peek to see what the MoBo was doing code wize and the code there was FF. When I looked that up it referenced "Boot" and the hard drive lite was on steady.
I elected to hit the start button to end the stalemate (I hit the Ctl, Alt, Delete numerous times but to no end). Can you think of anything to check, look for?? I still haven't connected the other drives yet.

Glidercj