New laptop, changing partition disks?

[NicoleUK]

The disk says System Recovery Media. Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 for distribution only with a new Samsung PC.
This media is provided to recover your operating system if you have an operating system error.

I wish the laptop just arrived blank....It's been the third day I've had it and I've already had enough lol.

Here is the backup I did with the Samsung Recovery, it mentions that image thing.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Tentatively, that disk sounds like a Windows 7 disk that contains only Windows 7 and not a bunch of other stuff. It might (?) be a way to a clean uncluttered fresh install.

Since it is a Samsung disk, it presumably would work only with your current hardware (motherboard) and not on another system.

The "Recovery Solution" thing appears to be an imaging program like Macrium or Acronis. I have heard nothing of it on these forums. I suggest you make an image with it after you have gotten your system trimmed down a bit and in proper working order. Also---Google "Samsung Recovery Solution" to try to find out if it is problematic.

It's entirely possibly it is a Samsung version of a well-known imaging product such as Acronis.

Ultimately, you may want to replace it---depending on your experience with it and what your Googling reveals. It may be perfectly fine.

You should certainly find out if it requires you to burn a separate recovery disk and if the image it makes can be independently "mounted" so you can recover individual files from within the image file---without actually "restoring" the image.

 

[gregrocker]

I agree completely. You have the very valuable Win7 Reinstallation DVD of just the OS for when you're ready for Clean Reinstalling Windows 7.

And the backup is an imaging program, which is also built into Win7: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

 

[NicoleUK]

Oh really? this is why you guys are great!
I'd be quite happy to start over with a clean install as everything is still on my external and old laptop...if you don't mind baring with me? Surely me having a clean install will be better and anything I need I can download over time.

But does that mean I will lose the Samsung programs (like the recovery) and others like Windows Media Player..and everything else in my programs list that I need.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Oh really? this is why you guys are great!
I'd be quite happy to start over with a clean install as everything is still on my external and old laptop...if you don't mind baring with me? Surely me having a clean install will be better and anything I need I can download over time.

But does that mean I will lose the Samsung programs (like the recovery) and others like Windows Media Player..and everything else in my programs list that I need.

Windows Media Player would be included in your new clean install.

The Samsung programs likely would not. They can be replaced.

I vote for clean install--it shouldn't take you more than an hour or so.

Then get a web browser and anti-virus going.

Then download only the apps you need rather than those you are now dealing with.

Do you have another method (other than the new Samsung) to post on these forums if you get in a jam?

 

[gregrocker]

I do many clean reinstalls and users never miss the factory bloatware or utilities which have better versions built into Win7 - only programs they depend upon like Office, Works, or Itunes. Those are all available on the web.

As you have the factory image backed up externally you can always go back to it if you choose.

Here are the steps to get a perfect reinstall of factory OEM. Read them over and ask back any questions. Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[NicoleUK]

Ok I'm currently doing the clean install, I'm on step 8 of this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html
I'm not sure what to do from here..I can't do s/p so here's the details

Where do you want to install Windows?
Disk 0 Partition 1: system Size: 100.0MB Free:70.0MB Type:System
Disk 0 Partition 2: Size: 573.4GB Free:400.4GB Typerimary
Disk 0 Partition 3: Samsung_REC Size: 22.7mb Free:70.0MB Type:OEM Reserved

Then the options refresh, delete, format.


Edit: It's saying I can't install to P1 and P3 so I'm guessing I'd install on P2...but do I delete..format?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You should install to Disc 0 Partition 2.

I'd probably delete that partition, then recreate it.

But a simple choice to install there should work OK too.

I don't think you have to make a formal choice to "format"--it's done automatically in the background if needed.

If you deleted it, the space that it occupied would likely then appear as "unallocated space". And you would then make a new partition from that unoccupied space.

Leave those other 2 partitions alone.

Not sure what you mean by "can't do s/p".

 

[NicoleUK]

Sorry I meant I can't do a screen print as I'm on old laptop so I typed out the details instead.


You're both advising differently?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'll yield to Greg.

The little "system reserved" partition will be recreated.

The larger Samsung partition shouldn't be recreated if deleted. I don't know that you need it.

 

[NicoleUK]

Ok so I'm now left with

Disk 0 unallocated space 573.5 GB
Disk 0 Partition 1:Samsung_REC 22.7 GB

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You can also delete that Samsung partition. You may as well.

That will leave you with circa 595 unallocated.

Then install to that entire 595. There should be a choice to select next or otherwise install to that unallocated. It's been a while since I went through it.

If necessary, you could choose to format the entire 595, but I don't recall that you must--it's done automatically to the unallocated space.

The end result will be 2 partitions: a tiny 100 MB one that contains your boot files and then C for the entire remainder.

After it finishes: get antivirus going and then go to Windows Update. You should already have Service Pack 1 installed and so wouldn't need many updates.

Get those labeled critical or important at a minimum.

 

[NicoleUK]

Deleted the Samsung Partition, now left with Unallocated Space of 596.2GB, I now only have the option of clicking new or next so I think it's all good to continue!

(With this being a clean install do you think I should to go back to my original idea of having C for programs and D for files, just thought I'd check now)

 

[ignatzatsonic]

(With this being a clean install do you think I should to go back to my original idea of having C for programs and D for files, just thought I'd check now)

Yeah, good idea.

Most here would do just that, but you can do it in a few days after you get a better idea of how much space your installed apps will take.

If you already know how much space C would need, you can size C right now where you are.

No need to do it right now. You can always do it later---you might have to use Partition Wizard bootable disc, which is easy enough.

 

[gregrocker]

Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[NicoleUK]

Ok I'll think about that later. It's completed however it didn't ask me to enter the product ID (It already knew it) or ask me about internet connection. I can't connect to the internet at all, it won't show my wifi connection....it says I don't have the connection hardware.

 

[gregrocker]

This is why I include a step in Reinstalling Windows 7 to be sure to put your wifi driver on a stick or CD so you can get online quickly to get the latest drivers from optional WIndows Updates. Seems you still won't do your reading, even on something as critical as a reinstall when I provide the link five times.

The drivers should be included in the Reinstallation DVD so check now in Device Manager under Network Adapters to see if its installed. If not, go to the Samsung Support Downloads webpage for your exact model to download and install the Wireless driver, connect to network and get your latest drivers from optional Windows Updates.

But all of this in the link you should have read, again here: Reinstalling Windows 7 .

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Greg will probably have to help you here as I know nothing about wireless.

Look in control panel/device manager.

Do you see any yellow exclamation points or question marks?

In Device Manager, look under "Network Adapters". What is shown?

 

[NicoleUK]

I'm sorry you're right Greg, I didn't fully read that step as I thought the other backups I did was enough. All I see under the device manager for network is bluetooth but I'm downloading the driver from the website now then transferring, will update again in the morning.

 

[gregrocker]

Windows 7 has all the drivers for USB drives so just let it install one when you plug it in - might take a minute, watch the System Tray, then for an autoplay box to open Files or click on it in Start>Computer.

Rightclick on driver .exe to Run as Admin.

Good night, all.