No clean install possible on new Dell?

[81sc]

Hi everyone,

I apologize if this has been asked before, but through all my searching I haven't found the exact answer I'm looking for. I just took delivery of a Dell (xps 9000, w7 64) and it's the first system I've had that didn't come with an OS disc. So, I'm new to all this recovery/diagnostic partition stuff. I'd like to be able to do a clean install of w7 so I don't have the bloatware that came pre-installed. But, from what I've read it seems like my only option is to create a system image to restore to (which would have all the pre-installed stuff anyway)?

Is my only option to uninstall anything I don't want and then do the system image? I know that would leave some registry files and whatnot, but ideally I'd like a completely clean install.

Thanks for the help!

P.S. I wasn't ready to dive into the "build it yourself" pool. I realize I probably could have avoided this because I would have the OS disc in hand. Live and learn I guess.

 

[theog]

If you call Dell there will send some install DVD's. (may be a postage fee)

 

[81sc]

Ok, I did the online request form so hopefully that works.

 

[theog]

You are wecome. We are here 24/7 to help.

 

[whs]

When you get the installation CD, you can taylor it with vLite. But in my book that is an overkill. If you uninstall the programs that you do not want with e.g. the REVO uninstaller, you can get rid of all the registry entries and additional files you are worried about. Unfortunately Revo is freeware only for 32bit - not 64bit.

 

[81sc]

Thanks theog and whs. So it sounds like I have to hope Dell will send the OS disc and not just refer me to the "create a system backup" route.

Do you know of an uninstaller program for 64 bit machines that could help me get to the point that I would if I did a clean re-install with the OS disc? If there isn't one, maybe I should just suck it up and uninstall what I don't want and do a system image. I know the leftover stuff from uninstalling programs doesn't take up a lot of space, I'm just kind of anal about it.

 

[Loki]

You might check this program out:
Welcome | The PC Decrapifier

 

[whs]

There is one that was rcommended the other day called Advanced Uninstaller. I am not sure to what extent it is free but they seem to have at least a free trial. I myself have never used it, but the specs say that it supports Win7 64 bit.

 

[81sc]

Thanks guys. I had seen the PC Decrapifier but didn't know it was compatible with W7. It does get rid of some Roxio stuff, but that's ok because I could download a different burning program for the purposes of making my system images, right?

Just got a reply from Dell saying they no longer ship the OS and gave me the instructions for creating the recovery disk.

 

[pparks1]

Just got a reply from Dell saying they no longer ship the OS and gave me the instructions for creating the recovery disk.

Call up and speak to a manager. You aren't asking them to ship you recovery cd's that you can simply make yourself...you are asking them to ship the OEM provided operating system installation disk that I think they have to provide if asked.

 

[gregrocker]

After uninstalling with Revo in Advanced mode, cleaning up using CCLeaner "Run Cleaner" then Registry tab, then Auslogics Disk and Registry Defraggers, run sfc /scannow to see if the uninstalls caused any permanent System File Damage as often happens. Bloatware is insidious in its removal, too.

If you still need a clean reinstall and Dell won't any longer send a clean copy of the OS, then it has become the last maker to succumb to bloatware enforcement, which all manufacturer's are adopting to protect their thin profit margin. You can only avoid it by buying a business computer, it seems.

But you can still get a clean install by borrowing or locating a retail Win7 DVD for your version, then installing it using the Product Key stickered to your machine. If necessary all versions can be unlocked in any installer by extracting the ISO then googling/running the ei.cfg removal tool, then burn an all-versions DVD to use with your key.

 

[81sc]

Ok, I'll do that. In the meantime since I want to get started would you guys suggest this course of action?

1. Create a system recovery disk when I boot up the PC.

2. After that, go through and uninstall what I don't want and then burn an image of the drive.

3. After doing that, just burn more images whenever I feel like it.

 

[whs]

Ok, I'll do that. In the meantime since I want to get started would you guys suggest this course of action?

1. Create a system recovery disk when I boot up the PC.

2. After that, go through and uninstall what I don't want and then burn an image of the drive.

3. After doing that, just burn more images whenever I feel like it.

I make an image every morning when the system starts (automatically scheduled) of both my system partition and my data partition. That way I never loose a lot when disaster strikes. In addition I make a weekly image to an external (normally) disconnected disk that the nasties cannot touch. Plus a monthly image to another disk. Thus I have images all the way back to the very beginning.

 

[81sc]

Just got a reply from Dell saying they no longer ship the OS and gave me the instructions for creating the recovery disk.

Call up and speak to a manager. You aren't asking them to ship you recovery cd's that you can simply make yourself...you are asking them to ship the OEM provided operating system installation disk that I think they have to provide if asked.

So I replied and asked if the recovery disc would contain just the OS because I wanted to keep the OS and other programs separate and the dell tech replied that they are going to ship an OS disc and program discs after all! Should have it in 3 to 5 days.

 

[gregrocker]

You are a lucky Dell dude(tte).

PParks: are you aware of MS OEM licensing requirements that manfacturers must supply a clean-copy of OS if requested? I haven't heard of this except in the case of the Upgrade Kits in which case an Acer supervisor told me they were required to provide the DVD as well as driver/apps disk in order to qualify for MS Upgrade Kit OEM licensing scheme. So maybe MS is moving to pressure manu's into a more consumer friendly posture just as most are starting to enforce bloatware shamelessly? Meanwhile the Norton bloatmonster CEO buys another yacht, mansion and a bigger Rolls to bloat in.

 

[81sc]

Just got a reply from Dell saying they no longer ship the OS and gave me the instructions for creating the recovery disk.

Call up and speak to a manager. You aren't asking them to ship you recovery cd's that you can simply make yourself...you are asking them to ship the OEM provided operating system installation disk that I think they have to provide if asked.

So I replied and asked if the recovery disc would contain just the OS because I wanted to keep the OS and other programs separate and the dell tech replied that they are going to ship an OS disc and program discs after all! Should have it in 3 to 5 days.

 

[81sc]

Oops. Sorry for the double post. Doing this on my phone. I guess I am a lucky dude. I had thought they were required to send it but their first reply seemed like they might put up a fight.

 

[pparks1]

I think they are required to supply it (if requested...and they can charge a nominal fee)...however I think they try to persuade people to accept the recovery disks as being equivalent since you can make them yourself.

 

[81sc]

Yeah, makes sense. I'll create ISOs for backups to keep on my external drive, but I feel a little better knowing I'll have just the OS disc to reinstall if I need to.

 

[gregrocker]

A clean install is vastly superior to any factory installation even if bloatware is successfully deleted.

Save a Win7 Backup image of your HD as it exists now, back up your files and Windows/System32/drivers and driverstore files, then wipe the HD and clean reinstall to see the difference yourself.