Reinstalling Windows 7 - Delete vs Format

[Pongsona]

Hello. I'm new to the forum, so I apologize if this question has been brought up. I got my new computer about 3 weeks ago, but because the video card I picked was out of stock (GTX 680) they installed a standard video card (GT 520) instead. I'll be getting my GTX 680 tomorrow, and I'm thinking about doing a clean installation with Windows 7. I've already installed Windows 7 once when I received my computer, and made a few registry changes 'cause I have an SSD.

I guess my question is, I'm not quite sure if I should delete or format my SSD and HDD when doing a clean installation. Also, I own an Intel SSD and I read online that it's better to use the Intel Solid-State Drive Toolbox when resetting the drive to its original rather than deleting/formatting. Here's a link to the toolbox: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18455

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[windude99]

Hello. I'm new to the forum, so I apologize if this question has been brought up. I got my new computer about 3 weeks ago, but because the video card I picked was out of stock (GTX 680) they installed a standard video card (GT 520) instead. I'll be getting my GTX 680 tomorrow, and I'm thinking about doing a clean installation with Windows 7. I've already installed Windows 7 once when I received my computer, and made a few registry changes 'cause I have an SSD.

I guess my question is, I'm not quite sure if I should delete or format my SSD and HDD when doing a clean installation. Also, I own an Intel SSD and I read online that it's better to use the Intel Solid-State Drive Toolbox when resetting the drive to its original rather than deleting/formatting. Here's a link to the toolbox: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18455

Any help would be appreciated.

You can format the drive. Be sure to delete all partitions in the Windows 7 setup and install it completely fresh.

 

[Pongsona]

Sorry for being such a computer noob, but what do you mean by "be sure to delete all partitions in the Windows 7 setup"? I didn't create extra partitions as I have my C drive - which is my SSD; and my D drive - which is my HDD. So, does that mean I should just click on format for both SSD and HDD when it gets to this screen?

Thanks.

 

[pbcopter]

For the SSD it is better to secure erase it with the Intel tools and then install the operating system. You do not need to format it first.

If you use the SSD for data and not the operating system, then just quick format the drive. A full format just wears it out quicker and is unnecessary.

 

[Pongsona]

For the SSD it is better to secure erase it with the Intel tools and then install the operating system. You do not need to format it first.

If you use the SSD for data and not the operating system, then just quick format the drive. A full format just wears it out quicker and is unnecessary.

I tried doing Secure Erase with the Intel SSD Toolbox, but I was getting "the selected drive has a partition. The partition must be removed in order to execute this feature." So I went to my Disk Management and here's the SS:

Does this mean I have to remove "System Reserve" if I want to perform Secure Erase?

Thank you.

 

[karlsnooks]

Hello. I'm new to the forum, so I apologize if this question has been brought up. I got my new computer about 3 weeks ago, but because the video card I picked was out of stock (GTX 680) they installed a standard video card (GT 520) instead. I'll be getting my GTX 680 tomorrow, and I'm thinking about doing a clean installation with Windows 7. I've already installed Windows 7 once when I received my computer, and made a few registry changes 'cause I have an SSD.

I guess my question is, I'm not quite sure if I should delete or format my SSD and HDD when doing a clean installation. Also, I own an Intel SSD and I read online that it's better to use the Intel Solid-State Drive Toolbox when resetting the drive to its original rather than deleting/formatting. Here's a link to the toolbox: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18455

Any help would be appreciated.

The simple, straight-forward answer: FORMAT.

Now with that said, it is may very, very strong recommendation that you read this tutorisl:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

Don't let that title mislead you. This one is the motherlode that covers or points to all possible situations.

My personal approach:
using a system repair disc, I use diskpart and clean all to wipe the disk 100% clean.http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html
then I install Win 7.

don't muck around with or use any of the special ssd software. That's only for those Unix/Liinux people. Win 7 is very smart and correctly handles every aspect of a SSD.

 

[kegobeer]

I agree with Karl - don't bother with the SSD tools because for normal stuff (like an OS install) they are not necessary. The only time they might be necessary is if there's a serious issue with getting any OS to see and utilize the drive, IMHO.

I've been installing various Windows OSs on SSDs for quite a while and I've never done anything other than delete and re-create the system reserved and "C" partitions during the install process.

 

[Pongsona]

I agree with Karl - don't bother with the SSD tools because for normal stuff (like an OS install) they are not necessary. The only time they might be necessary is if there's a serious issue with getting any OS to see and utilize the drive, IMHO.

I've been installing various Windows OSs on SSDs for quite a while and I've never done anything other than delete and re-create the system reserved and "C" partitions during the install process.

Hm. Okay. If I format rather than delete, will it reset the drive to its original, out-of-the-box state?

 

[karlsnooks]

Define : original, out-of-the-box state.

 

[pparks1]

I don't see a reason to reinstall the OS simply to go from a 520 video card to a 680GTX. Maybe I am missing something.

 

[Pongsona]

Define : original, out-of-the-box state.

Well, I purchased my computer from cyberpowerpc and because I was able to get a huge discount for Windows 7, the computer came with just SSD and HDD installed. I guess that would be original, out-of-the-fox state in my case.

 

[kegobeer]

I don't see a reason to reinstall the OS simply to go from a 520 video card to a 680GTX. Maybe I am missing something.

Definitely not a reason IMHO.

To the OP: when your new card arrives, go to the device manager and uninstall the card, shut down, install the new card, turn it on, and install the new drivers.

 

[karlsnooks]

Pongsona,

You stated in your first post:

I guess my question is, I'm not quite sure if I should delete or format my SSD and HDD when doing a clean installation.

Do you desire make a clean installation or are you simply desiring to update a driver?

 

[Pongsona]

Pongsona,

You stated in your first post:

I guess my question is, I'm not quite sure if I should delete or format my SSD and HDD when doing a clean installation.

Do you desire make a clean installation or are you simply desiring to update a driver?

I want to make a clean installation.

 

[karlsnooks]

Excellent.

Do I understand correctly that you would like to make the clean install of Win 7 to the SSD ( a wise decision)?

Do you have a Win 7 DVD?

 

[Pongsona]

Excellent.

Do I understand correctly that you would like to make the clean install of Win 7 to the SSD ( a wise decision)?

Do you have a Win 7 DVD?

That's correct. And yes, I do have a Win 7 DVD.

 

[karlsnooks]

Wonderful.

Here's the approach I follow:

Disconnect the HDD.

Boot up from the Win 7 DVD.

Wipe the SSD clean using the procedure I give.

Install Win 7.

==============================

When you boot up from the DVD, you want to go to a command prompt and then issue some commands followed by an exit back to the Win 7 install routine.

GO TO A COMMAND PROMPT USING YOUR WIN 7 DVD


Booting from a DVD/CD
On some computers, immediately after pushing the Power ON button, start tapping the F12 key and choose the option to boot from DVD/CD.

On some computers, this capability is assigned to another function key.

This is a one-time boot and doesn’t change your normal boot sequence.

If your computer doesn’t offer this capability, then you will need to boot into the bios and change the boot order there so that Boot from DVD/CD is the first choice.

You will need to consult your computer manufacturer’s documentation.

STEPS TO BOOT TO A COMMAND PROMPT USING A WIN 7 DVD
Ø Insert your Win 7 DVD into the optical reader
Ø Power down your computer.
Ø Power up your computer.
Ø Boot from the Win 7 DVD using the procedure applicable to your computer.
Ø When the following is displayed on your screen,
press the key combo of SHIFT + F10.

Do NOT click on Next.
Press the SHIFT + F10 key combo.

You will have a X:\Sources> command prompt.
X: is a ram drive created by Windows 7.
X: contains a mini-version of Windows 7 called a PE (pre-execution environment).

If you do not plan on installing windows at this time, you may now remove the DVD.

If you plan on continuing with an install, then do not remove the DVD.

Execute the desired commands.
Use the EXIT command to return to the Win 7 installation procedure.

==========================================================

Here's the commands you want to execute to wipe your ssd clean:

BOOT FROM YOUR WINDOWS 7 DVD AND GO TO A COMMAND PROMPT
Ø Insert the Windows 7 DVD and close the DVD door.
Ø Power on your computer.
Ø When that very first dialog appears where you would normally push the NEXT button, then use the SHIFT + F10 key combo to get to a command prompt.
Ø The command prompt will be X:>


USE THE DISKPART PROGRAM TO “CLEAN” THE HARD DISK
Type the commands shown, hitting the Enter key after each.

Do not proceed to the next command until the current command is finished.

· DISKPART (the command prompt will change to DISKPART>)
· LIST DISK (this will list the disks present)
· SELECT DISK 0 (assuming disk zero is the desired hard disk)
· DETAIL DISK (this will show you info regarding the disk you selected)
· CLEAN ALL (this is the command to write zeros to entire disk)
This can take half a day for a 2 Terabyte disk.
· EXIT(this will exit you from the DiskPart program)
· EXIT(this will exit you back to the Windows 7 install program)

======================================================

 

[pparks1]

And I would never do a clean all when reinstalling my OS. I've installed OS's on 100's of PC's over many many years and always just do a quick format.

I'm not saying that anybody that does it another way is wrong...but I'm just saying that it's certainly not required for success.

I cannot imagine a performance boost would account for more than 1/2 a day to make up for the 1/2 a day you lose on a 2TB drive for a "clean all"

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I've already installed Windows 7 once when I received my computer, and made a few registry changes 'cause I have an SSD.

What were these registry changes and why do you believe they were necessary?

 

[gregrocker]

Just delete and create new the Partition using the Drive options during install. Win7 wiill format it for you.

No need to wipe the HD unless there are installation problems in which case we may suggest that step.

Get a perfect install following the steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.