Wiping Hard Drive Clean to Install Windows 7

[Kimmrs]

Hi Everyone.

I'm not a computer person but do know a bit more than an average person about installing things, etc. Well...I bought an HP desktop about 2 years ago with vista 64 bit on it and it has been crappy ever since. I've had problems with programs not being recognized, things not installing at all when they should, and it freezing up for no good reason. Anyway, I went out and bought Windows 7 ultimate the full version. I saved the few files I have on a jump drive and I want to completely wipe out the hard drive and install windows 7 and start from scratch. However, I want to be sure I do it the right way and would rather not pay someone else to do it. If anyone can kind of walk me through step by step how to wipe out the hard drive and start from scratch, that would be wonderful. I've read things about formatting the hard drive and partitions and whatnot and thats where I lose it. Thanks in advance for any help!

Kim

 

[OldMX]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

 

[DocBrown]

After you do the above clean of the HD, you can follow this Tutorial for the install

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[gregrocker]

You could use Upgrade version to clean install as long as you have qualifying Vista - installed or not.

Back up your files externally, make your Recovery DIsks or save a backup image of the entire HD first so you have a path back to factory condition. Then wipe the HD of all code to get cleanest install: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

If you install to wiped HD, the installer will issue a 100mb System Reserved boot partition which conveniently places the Repair Console (normally only on the DVD or Repair CD) on the F8 Advanced Boot Tools menu. So boot the installer, choose Custom Install and then Drive Options to partition as you wish and format: Clean Install Windows 7

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Just in case, have your Wireless driver on flash stick or CD so you can get online quickly. Then enable hardware driver auto-updating and check for optional Updates.

Any drivers still missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Driver Install - Device Manager

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 slow startup, become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. Startup Programs - Change

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 Defragger monthly.
CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
http://download.cnet.com/Auslogics-D...-10567503.html

Then save a Windows 7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD (or replacement) using DVD/Repair CD with the stored image. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Kimmrs, welcome to Seven Forums!


Here's more useful information below, to be taken together with what has been posted already; don't get overwhelmed, just take your time and be methodical in your approach to this endeavor and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.


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 / Solid State Drive.

• Then if you do not want to create the new Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #2 to create, format and mark Active a single 100GB partition to do the installation to.
• If you do want to create the "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #3 to create, format and mark Active the System Reserved partition and then create and format the 100GB partition to do the installation to.

Either way, running the "clean all" then creating and formatting the partition(s) using diskpart will get you the best possible space to do a clean install of Windows 7 to; you can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional partitions after the installation completes if you choose.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup

 

[theog]

I personally always use the CLEAN ALL; it is well worth the time.

 

[Kimmrs]

Thanks!

To everyone who replied...thank you so much for helping me! I printed out the SSD/HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation and I also printed out the Clean Install Windows 7 document. I do have one more question before I do this. This is mostly in response to Bare Foot Kid (I'm sorry I do not know your name!) You had said that I can choose if I want to create a partition of a certain size. This is where I am very confused. If I create a partition of 100GB does that mean that that's all the space I will be able to use from here on out? I have a 600GB hard drive. I know this might sound like a stupid question but I just don't know what is the best thing to do. Both documents are pretty easy to follow, but I don't understand the partition thing. If anyone could clarify that...that would be great! Thanks!

 

[bigmck]

To everyone who replied...thank you so much for helping me! I printed out the SSD/HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation and I also printed out the Clean Install Windows 7 document. I do have one more question before I do this. This is mostly in response to Bare Foot Kid (I'm sorry I do not know your name!) You had said that I can choose if I want to create a partition of a certain size. This is where I am very confused. If I create a partition of 100GB does that mean that that's all the space I will be able to use from here on out? I have a 600GB hard drive. I know this might sound like a stupid question but I just don't know what is the best thing to do. Both documents are pretty easy to follow, but I don't understand the partition thing. If anyone could clarify that...that would be great! Thanks!

The 100 GB would be good to install your Windows and your programs on. That will leave the 500 GB for any documents, pictures, songs, whatever you might have. If at some point in the future you feel you need more than the 100 GB, (probably not) you can always expand the partition to more than 100 GB. This would be a good way to start out.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Here you go, have a look through this information; the 100GB is just a starting point.

   Note

You can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional Primary partitions or an Extended partition after the installation completes if you choose.

 

[Kimmrs]

Thanks for your help!

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again, did you get Windows 7 running to your satisfaction?

 

[bigmck]

Hello again, did you get Windows 7 running to your satisfaction?

I guess not, he never answered............

 

[brandag]

Suffering from

Hello dear ,
I have join this forums as i found that the discussion in the forums is very useful. This time i have something important for all the users of hard disk out there.
Who so ever wants to sell his/her hard disk have to be careful, as you think that data which you have deleted from hard disk is not actually deleted its there in the hard disk and are recoverable. So its better to wipe disk on windows before selling.

Regard
Branda

 

[brandag]

recovery..

hi supporting to my first answer i would like to say that there are many more software which can wipe disk....but it must be done

you can try this link too if you feel to sell your disk...Wipe Disk




Regards
Brandag

 

[gregrocker]

Use Diskpart Clean All Command to wipe the HD so that data is mostly unrecoverable.