Solved Want clean install on new HDD

[ignatzatsonic]

How would you suggest to set System Restore to utilize space?

The default amount is quite high and it can eat into your occupied space, so you may want to restrain it. There is a slider in the configuration. You can figure maybe allot 1 GB for each restore point. Something like that. I use about 7 GB, which gives me a couple of weeks worth of restore points.

I'm looking and can't seem to find where I can adjust the system restore points. I got to control panel>Backup and Restore. Not seeing where I can adjust the allotment.

control panel/system/system protection/configure. It has nothing to do with backup and restore.

 

[Miskonduct]

Another question: What is the best way to go about partitioning this new HDD?

 

[gregrocker]

Depends on how many programs you have and whether you want to keep your User folders on the same partition or link them to a separate data partition so it keeps the System image smaller. User Folders - Change Default Location

You can decide this later if you want, starting with a 100gb OS partition created by the installer's Custom>Drive options as shown in this tutorial: Clean Install Windows 7

Using Upgrade version you'll need to leave the Product Key blank during install then afterwards do the quick registry workaround given here to activate Upgrade version on a cleaned HD: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version .

Once again here are tips to get a perfect install so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage using DVD from stored image: Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[Miskonduct]

Depends on how many programs you have and whether you want to keep your User folders on the same partition or link them to a separate data partition so it keeps the System image smaller. User Folders - Change Default Location

You can decide this later if you want, starting with a 100gb OS partition created by the installer's Custom>Drive options as shown in this tutorial: Clean Install Windows 7

Using Upgrade version you'll need to leave the Product Key blank during install then afterwards do the quick registry workaround given here to activate Upgrade version on a cleaned HD: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version .

Once again here are tips to get a perfect install so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage using DVD from stored image: Reinstalling Windows 7

So if I'm understanding this correctly when I reach this point: http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/2447d1236872724-clean-install-windows-7-step13.jpg

I am to not input the product key and ensure that the Automatically update box is unchecked and then click next. From there do the workaround registration where I use the MediaBootInstall.reg?

Also, as far as the partitioning. Currently my recovery partition D: drive is only 10GB and I use about 4GB of that.

 

[gregrocker]

You'll need to make your Recovery Disks as the new HD will not have the Recovery partition and it's not really worth trying to copy it over since it will not run from Win7 after reinstall and is likely to lose it's hotkey to run from boot. Dell Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings

These disks would be used if you ever want to recovery your Inspiron to factory condition to sell or migrate your retail Win7 to another machine. You can also use a Vista installer to clean reinstall much as you're doing now with Win7.

Of course you can keep the old HD to replace in the machine if you ever decide to get rid of it, run the Recov Disks or Partition or just leave it as is.

The new HD with your Win7 can be SysPrepped on the current machine to move to any other hardware using this method: SysPrep to move HD to another computer. Otherwise Win7 would likely not start on another machine by moving it's HD or image.

 

[Miskonduct]

And also, is there anything I should do with my current 160GB internal HDD before I replace it for the new one? I was going to use it as an external now.

 

[Miskonduct]

You'll need to make your Recovery Disks as the new HD will not have the Recovery partition and it's not really worth trying to copy it over since it will not run from Win7 after reinstall and is likely lose it's hotkey to run from boot.

These disks would be used if you ever want to recovery your Inspiron to factory condition to sell or migrate your retail Win7 to another machine. You can also use a Vista installer to clean reinstall much as you're doing now with Win7.

In essence I can just make a 10GB Recovery Disk to act as my recovery partition if I wanted?

You mentioned that partitioning the new HDD will depend on how many programs I'll have. I'll probably mainly use it for user folders to help save space on the C drive. If that is the case, how should I partition the HDD?

 

[gregrocker]

Start with 50gb for Win7, 100gb for User folders linked from Win7 using the tutorial I linked earlier, then you can Resize later if needed using Disk Mgmt, or free Partition Wizard bootable CD when you need to Resize to the left.

The backup image will only be the used partition size.

What 10gb Recovery Disk are you referring to - is this the size Dell Recovery wants for your Vista Recov Disks?

 

[Miskonduct]

Start with 100gb for Win7, 100gb for User folders then you can Resize later if needed using Disk Mgmt or free Partition Wizard bootable CD when you need to Resize to the left.

I'm not sure why you would make a Recovery partition on the same HD. The smartest way is to save a Win7 backup image (the last step in my Perfect Install steps) to an external or another HD - you might plug back in your other HD for this purpose. This way you can still reimage your Win7 to a new HD if the HD dies.

Did you have another idea for the Recovery Partition?

Okay, I see. I also have an 160GB external aside from my 160GB internal that will be replaced with the 500GB. These back up images of W7 are quite large, so I'm trying to see what I can delete in order to save the image.

And for the 100GB for win7 and 100GB for user folders, that is done when installing win7 correct? This part - http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/2441d1231630473-clean-install-windows-7-step8.jpg

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Miskonduct, welcome to Seven Forums!


Have a look Method One in this tutorial at the link below for another partition / storage option.


Partition / Extended : Logical Drives

 

[gregrocker]

I amended my last post as I read your reference to making a Recov Disk wrong.

I also think 50gb might be sufficient for the OS partition if you're linking the User folders to another partition - but of course this depends on how many programs you have, and if you want to increase space (I use 20%) for System Restore points so you have more options if you need to rescue your System: System Protection - Change Disk Space Usage - Windows 7 Forums

However as the backup image only is as large as the used space, make OS/Programs larger if you want.

Remember you need to separately back up your User folders partition externally as well: Backup User and System Files - Windows 7 Forums. I just drag mine monthly to external.

 

[Miskonduct]

Start with 50gb for Win7, 100gb for User folders linked from Win7 using the tutorial I linked earlier, then you can Resize later if needed using Disk Mgmt, or free Partition Wizard bootable CD when you need to Resize to the left.

The backup image will only be the used partition size.

What 10gb Recovery Disk are you referring to - is this the size Dell Recovery wants for your Vista Recov Disks?

Yeah sorry, the 10GB is the recovery disk that Dell had. To give you a better idea here is a picture of my HDD and External HD -

So when partition 50GB for win7 and 100gb for user folders this can all be done AFTER the clean install correct? Because, I have seen that you can allocate space during the clean install process.

 

[gregrocker]

You'll need 3 DVD's for the Dell Recov disks as DVD's are 4.7 gb.

I think what I would do during install is make the 50-100gb OS partition, then format, accepting the System Reserved boot partition which places the Repair console on F8 boot options menu.

Then after install and setup, when most programs are installed you can see if your OS partition is correctly sized before creating the data partition in Disk Mgmt to link User folders into using tutorial. Partition or Volume - Create New

Others may have fresh suggestions as I'm taking my dog to swim in the ocean.

 

[Miskonduct]

You'll need 3 DVD's for the Dell Recov disks as DVD's are 4.7 gb.

I think what I would do during install is make the 50-100gb OS partition, then format, accepting the System Reserved boot partition which places the Repair console on F8 boot options menu.

Then after install and setup, when most programs are installed you can see if your OS partition is correctly sized before creating the data partition in Disk Mgmt to link User folders into using tutorial. Partition or Volume - Create New

Others may have fresh suggestions as I'm taking my dog to swim in the ocean.

Okay. I've already done a backup of my internal HD onto my external HD. So in terms of backing up my computer I should be okay there.

So during the install process you are recommending to partition 50-100GB for the OS? Sorry, bare with me, this is quite new to me.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

So during the install process you are recommending to partition 50-100GB for the OS? Sorry, bare with me, this is quite new to me.

Yes, that is a typical size. A bare Windows installation takes 8 or 10 GB, and then you add in your applications and updates. You might have 30 GB occupied when you are done, but you want to leave some spare space for growth over years.

 

[Miskonduct]

So during the install process you are recommending to partition 50-100GB for the OS? Sorry, bare with me, this is quite new to me.

Yes, that is a typical size. A bare Windows installation takes 8 or 10 GB, and then you add in your applications and updates. You might have 30 GB occupied when you are done, but you want to leave some spare space for growth over years.

So how about something like this:
C: = 100GB for OS
D: = 350GB for programs

Is there a specific way to which drive the OS is installed on?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

No.

100 for OS and programs.

350 for your data.

Assuming you have total space of 450 on the whole drive.

 

[Miskonduct]

No.

100 for OS and programs.

350 for your data.

Assuming you have total space of 450 on the whole drive.

What about:

100GB for OS and programs
400GB for data

And data is what exactly?

I'll have a 500GB HD. And you mean no to where the OS is installed? How do I separate things between the partitions?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

That's fine. 100 for OS and programs and the entire rest of the drive for data.

The OS and all programs should be installed to the 100 gig partition. You can make that partition during the Windows installation. You can make the other 400 GB partition later if you want to.

Data? That's whatever you use the computer for. Letters to grandma? Games? Collecting music? Writing programs? Editing pictures with Photoshop? Whatever. Put all of your data on the big partition, separate from the OS and your programs.

 

[Miskonduct]

That's fine. 100 for OS and programs and the entire rest of the drive for data.

The OS and all programs should be installed to the 100 gig partition. You can make that partition during the Windows installation. You can make the other 400 GB partition later if you want to.

Data? That's whatever you use the computer for. Letters to grandma? Games? Collecting music? Writing programs? Editing pictures with Photoshop? Whatever. Put all of your data on the big partition, separate from the OS and your programs.

Okay, that makes sense now. What I'm curious about is when I install the OS, programs, and music, etc. How do I put the OS and programs on the 100GB drive and the music and everything else on the 400GB drive?