Which is better for the PC

[EchoX860]

To use a Windows 7 Disc that I bought seperate, or Factory Reset (which comes with all the HP Programs that I always delete using PC Decrapifier.

 

[Prof Kerfuffle]

I would say reinstall with the retail disk. Less crap installed at the start.

 

[seth500]

Windows 7 Disc and forget the factory reset.....

 

[EchoX860]

Will I need to reinstall my Drivers?

 

[pparks1]

If you bought the Windows 7 media and can do a clean install I would go with that. Just use the key that the machine came with...so that you can use the software that you bought on another computer down the road.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Once the install completes, look in device manager if any drivers are needed, the odds are good that you will be good to go and not need to add any drivers; if you need to add any, post back here.

 

[EchoX860]

Like where it says "Windows is Activated" Product ID
XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX That thing? Just use that ID?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

No look on the COA sticker attached to the PC, if it's a lappy it's under the battery.


It'll be 5 sets of 5 letters/numbers that will look like this.

G0BUY-TH3S0-FTWAR-3ATMI-CS0FT

 

[EchoX860]

Alright thanks. I'll post back with any issues.

 

[gregrocker]

Tips for getting a purrfect clean reinstall of factory OEM: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729

 

[EchoX860]

I did not understand most of that. But what I gathered is (I don't back stuff up. I'm not a fan of it. I have all the stuff I need on my iPod/USB Drive. Clean Install Windows 7 from my disc, then use the codes on the side of my PC to activate it

 

[gregrocker]

What exactly do you not understand?

We learn here by asking. Ask away.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again.



I would suggest, after you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media, use Step One of this tutorial at the link below to do a wipe (secure erase) to the entire Hard Disk Drive, running this then using the outline in Step Two #2 to create/format and mark Active a single 100GB partition using diskpart will get you the best possible space to clean install Windows 7 to.


SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

 

[electrotune1200]

Just to be on the safe side I always grab a pen and paper, go into the device manager and expand all the fields. Write down the devices that are used on your PC. Sometimes, your computer manufacturer may have a few different devices that are used.

Like so...

 

[EchoX860]

Sorry that it took so long to write back. So I'm about to put the DVD in. I used the Snipping Tool on my Device Manager. I have all the programs I need, Firefox Addons written down on my USB Drive. SP1 is on the USB Drive and my music is on my iPod that I can get off easily. (That's what she said) So I know that I have the HP (C and IMAGE (D I wipe my entire HD getting rid of the IMAGE too correct?

 

[electrotune1200]

I'd keep the factory image if your PC is still under warranty. If not, feel free to wipe it.

 

[EchoX860]

Okay, I got to "clean all" and the little blinking line is working I think. When I typed list disk, it showed 5 disks Disk 0 had 465gb of my 500gb. Disks 1-4 had 0 bytes. So I typed in Select Disk 0.

 

[electrotune1200]

Sounds about right. What are disks 1-4? The cleaning process will take a bit to finish so be patient. Probably a good 90 minutes to almost 2 hours.

 

[EchoX860]

No Media

 

[EchoX860]

Okay it's cleaned.