Solved Which partitions do I actually need?

[Tomtom111]

Although it could come in useful when different OS's get installed... I'll give it a go. Thanks again

 

[gregrocker]

If Win7 came preinstalled on the PC then use the Product Key on the COA sticker to activate it or you'll be wasting a $100+ value license purchased with the computer. Use any other retail Win7 you have somewhere else to get it's full value as well.

 

[Tomtom111]

The bloatware has a webcam software in with it, and I want to continue to use it so can any of you please recommend a good program for using it. Also will I need a wireless card driver, as as it is it uses atheros? Thanks

 

[gamis01]

How do I clone a Hybrid drive to a SSD

Sorry, first time posting and just realized I posted in someone elses post... thanks for the fast replies though...

 

[Tomtom111]

Just from what I've learnt here, you've got 82mb unallocated which could be in use, an you don't need such a big system partition (199mb is fine)

 

[Tomtom111]

And at a second look, there's some more unallocated space between C partition and recovery.

 

[gregrocker]

It isn't enough of a mess to bother with. I'm guessing you want to keep the Recovery partition on the chance it will still boot to run as it might if you kept the same exact partition structure. So any effort to gather the Unallocated slivers on either side of it into Recovery could affect whether Recovery will run. And shrinking System Reserved would also affect Recovery which is why it's larger here.

If you don't care about Factory Recovery but instead want to rely on backup imaging to restore if Win7 becomes unbootable, then you could delete that partition and extend C or use the space for storage. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Too bad you didn't consult us on the Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which is a specialty of these forums. We could have helped you work out the OEM driver and/or software issues. For the most part, Win7 is driver complete in the installer and via optional Updates. However we have seen issues with Samsung Elantouch pad gesture features as well as webcam software enhancements that don't work correctly any way except in the factory install.

 

[Tomtom111]

Well, it seems I've not learnt that much after all... Ah well, any good free webcam programs?

 

[Tomtom111]

Anyway, I've done a clean install, and successfully activated it. Also now I've got an extra 15GB! Should I extend the system partition?

 

[gregrocker]

I do not see the extra 15gb in the screenshot.

Look for the webcam software and wireless driver on the HP Support Downloads webpage for your model.

Connect to the internet with the HP wireless driver and then do your Windows Updates which will include drivers in optional Updates. Only after these are all completed should you then check your Device Manager to import any drivers from the Support Downloads webpage for your exact model.

There will also be some software like webcam you'll want and possible some hotfixes needed to get performance smoothed out. This is all in the tutorial to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

 

[Tomtom111]

I got extra space from not having the recovery partition, or HP_tools and I've already looked and got the HP webcam software, I'm already on my network. I did follow the guide, I collected all the installers and got Sercuirty Essentials.

 

[gregrocker]

Good work, Tom.

 

[Tomtom111]

Thanks I think there actually is a speed difference even though I disabled things from starting up in msconfig. Thanks again for your help

 

[gregrocker]

Keeping a clean boot will assure best performance, as well as the other maintenance tips in the tutorial.

 

[Tomtom111]

I'll run through them again later. In the meantime, the volume light is still showing up red, even when not muted. Just after the clean install it was white showing it wasn't mute, but didn't turn red. There's still only 1 OS on at the moment, but I'll install them later.

 

[Tomtom111]

And should I expand the system reserved partition?

 

[gregrocker]

Why do you think you should expand it?

Try the sound driver and any software posted on the computer or Sound Device Support Downloads webpage.

 

[mjf]

And should I expand the system reserved partition?

The System Reserved partition officially needs 50MB free for shadow storage when making Windows System Images. I think it may be more like 40MB in practice. Sometimes it can get clogged up with USN Journal files that prevent you making an image. Expanding it is one solution but until you have the issue I suggest you leave things alone. This is the typical error you would get and here are the options:
http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-restore/230477-how-fix-backup-error-0x81000019.html

 

[Tomtom111]

I think that because before the clean install it was 199MB, and Petey7 said that the size it was was perfect.

 

[Tomtom111]

And as it so happens I have just had a problem backing up, something to do with making a shadow copy and there not being enough space to do so.