New Win 7 install on machine with Vista

[thewolfe]

New Win 7 install on machine with Vista - clean install
Dell 1525 Inspiron
It's asking where do you want to install.

Disk 0 Part 1 OEM (Reserved)
Disk 0 Part 2 Recovery Primary
Disk 0 Part 3 OS System
Disk 0 Part 4 Mediadirect Logical

What do I want to "Delete" or "Format"?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello thewolfe, welcome to Seven Forums!





It would not be advisable to delete any of that; post a snip/screen-shot of disk management so we can better advise you on the next step. What is "Disk 0 Part 4 "Mediadirect" Logical?



How to Post a Screenshot in Seven Forums

 

[ccatlett1984]

MediaDirect is a small embedded linux distro that you can boot into by pressing a button on your dell laptop, its for viewing media quickly without windows booting up. Install on the "OS System" partiton.

 

[theog]

Have made the Dell Recovery DVD's?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

MediaDirect is a small embedded linux distro that you can boot into by pressing a button on your dell laptop, its for viewing media quickly without windows booting up. Install on the "OS System" partiton.

Thank you!

 

[whs]

It would really help if you posted a picture of your Disk Management. From your list, there are not many options. You will probably have to create a new partition first.
Further, are you aware of all the possible pains with double booting. In other words, do you want to keep Vista on that system.

 

[strollin]

On my Dell 1520, I deleted all of the partitions then installed Win 7. If you leave the MediaDirect partition and install Win 7 on the OS partition, I've heard (but can't verify) that it can cause problems. Supposedly, if the MediaDirect button is pushed when the power is off the machine will load MediaDirect from that partition but it will mess up the Win 7 partition.

Since I deleted the MD partition, if I press the MD button with the machine powered off, it will display a "Dell Media Direct" splash screen for 1-2 secs then, since it can't find the MD partition, it boots Win 7. If the machine is booted and I press the MD button, nothing happens. You can use a program such as AutoHotkey to reassign the MD key to do something else if you want.

Edit: Just for the heck of it, I installed AutoHotkey and used it to reassign the MD key to bring up WMP when pressed. Works fine, now when the machine is powered off the MD key acts like the Power button, once the machine is booted pressing the MD button brings up WMP.

 

[thewolfe]

When I get back to the machine, I'll see if I can get on so I can show disk management.
Haven't made a recovery disk, don't plan to go back to Vista.
Media direct doesn't seem to be a problem.
I want to delete VIsta permanently, no double booting

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

So you have a Windows 7 install disk and you want to do-away with everything currently on the PC and just have Windows 7 installed? If the answer to these questions is yes, then have a look at the tutorials below.

Be advised: using the info in the first tutorial will over-write everything, all the data on the entire Hard Disk Drive (HDD) so make any backups of any data you don't want to lose before you get started.


SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7

 

[theog]

Would be worth running your PC with the Upgrade Advisor:

Download details: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Check for Dell drivers.

There no Windows 7 drivers on the Dell site, only Vista.
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...ID=INS_PNT_PM_1525&os=WLH&osl=en&catid=&impid=

 

[thewolfe]

Bare foot Kid I'll ck out the links when I get back to that computer.

And yes I have nothing on the machine I want to save. I'm going for brand new.

Thanks for the posts, everyone. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions after I read the tutorials.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Would be worth running your PC with the Upgrade Advisor:

Download details: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Check for Dell drivers.

There no Windows 7 drivers on the Dell site, only Vista.
Drivers & Downloads

Thanks Ray.



@thewolfe, if you need to you can run/install needed drivers in, compatibility mode though Windows 7 is pretty much driver complete, install it and see how it sorts out; yes, be sure to post back with updates as we'll be interested.

 

[thewolfe]

Here is shot of Disk Mgt, I think.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

If a Windows 7 clean install is what you want then you should have no issues at all, just take your time and follow the tutorials linked earlier and be sure to keep us informed as to your progress.

 

[gregrocker]

The OEM partition enables Dell utilities which may or may not work when you clean reinstall. Most of these utilities have better options built into Win7.

The REcovery partition works quite well in Dell to restore to factory condition from boot, which you might want to do if you should decide to sell the computer but keep Win7 for yourself. Hence it would be wise to at least make the Recovery disks, although they can always be ordered from Dell, or a Vista installer for your version can be located to clean reinstall your version with Product Key on COA.

With these things in mind, decide if you want to delete those partitions. If so the best method is to wipe the HD using the tutorial BarefootKid wrote and linked. This gives you the cleanest possible slate for new install: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

 

[thewolfe]

OK, I understand you to say delete every partition. Then will it auto format C or will I have to do that? I'm also going to follow the tutorials that hopefully won't leave any gaps in the re-install process.

Thanks for your posts. I'm about to begin.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Be advised: using the info in the first tutorial will over-write everything, all the data on the entire Hard Disk Drive (HDD) so make any backups of any data you don't want to lose before you get started.


SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7

Just follow these tutorials, they work in unison and will show you every step you need to take to have a clean fresh install of Windows 7 on the PC; take your time and study the tutorials well before you get started and you should have no problems, if you have further questions or need help someone here will be glad to assist you, just post back in this same thread.

 

[gregrocker]

OK, I understand you to say delete every partition. Then will it auto format C or will I have to do that? I'm also going to follow the tutorials that hopefully won't leave any gaps in the re-install process.

No, actually I said that you need to make that decision based on the information we provided, after asking any questions to be sure.

And if you are going to do away with those partitions, the best and cleanest method is to use the tutorials provided by BareFootKid.

 

[thewolfe]

Well, I'm up and running on Win7. Just finished the install so questions will be forth coming, I'm sure.
Ops! That didn't take long.

On Disk 0 I have 9.80 Unallocated, (C) 220.58 Healthy..., and 2.50 Unallocated.

Can I add the unallocated to the (C) partition?


Thanks to all.

 

[theog]

Can you post a screen shot Disk management?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-how-post-screenshot-seven-forums.html

Screenshot tools.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9717-screenshot-paint.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/51160-screenshot-upload-using-mwsnap.html
Fscapture free download