What to know before formatting and clean installing?

[samstar1412]

Is there anything that you should know before you format your drive/partition for a clean install? These are some of the main things you should do to avoid disappointment:

• Back Up important programs/files on the Win7 Partition/Drive
• Back Up themes/wallpapers/gadgets etc..
• Back Up all bookmarks add-ons from firefox/i.e etc..
• Download the latest graphics drivers or any other drivers that are necessary and store them on usb drive

Useful Programs:

• EasyBCD: Is a great tool for editing the Boot manager
• EASEUS Partition Master Home Edition: Great Partition manager for creating/editing partitions (if you don't like the vista/Windows 7 disk utility)
• MozBackup: To backup all your firefox add-ons/bookmarks etc..
• ImgBurn: Simple easy to use burning tool (to burn the iso image)

Is there anything else that could be added to the list? Just post them here and I'll add them. I figured if we could get a few people posting Hints/Tips here it may be helpful to others in this situation.

 

[Orbital Shark]

You've pretty much cracked it with what you've got

As far as drivers go, Network drivers are a neccesity even if Windows 7 installs them correctly as you never know

 

[samstar1412]

You've pretty much cracked it with what you've got

As far as drivers go, Network drivers are a neccesity even if Windows 7 installs them correctly as you never know

Yeah after my install of RC (build 7100) I had a few problems with connecting to the home network but after a quick boot into vista and downloading the latest drivers I was soon back online.

Edit: Just thought i would make it into more of a "what to do" thread for people to add to...

 

[WeAreNotAlone]

You've pretty much cracked it with what you've got

As far as drivers go, Network drivers are a necessity even if Windows 7 installs them correctly as you never know

Ditto the above- before doing a fresh install hunt down network drivers. Depending on the install media the drivers for very old or very new machines might not be there. Net effect=No drivers-No internet access, hence no way to get those drivers...

On a machine I'm typing on now??? or maybe another it had a very common (read that as they sold millions) of the network card but alas I could not connect as there were no Win7 drivers.... had to tweak the XP drivers, play with settings to get it to work.

 

[gregrocker]

Use free Partition Wizard bootable CD which has Data Protection and won't fail, just restart to try again. Easeus can and will fail.

Other tips for perfect reinstall:

Make your Recovery DIsks or save a Win7 backup image of the entire HD first so you have a path back to factory condition. Then wipe the HD of all code: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Any drivers then missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device.

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/70248-troubleshooting-msconfig.html

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner then Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers monthly. CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
Auslogics Disk Defrag - Reviews and free Auslogics Disk Defrag downloads at Download.com
Auslogics Registry Defrag - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Then save a Win7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or replacement using DVD or Repair CD. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html