Wiping Out Everything on Dell XPS 8100 Desktop

[paulyjames]

I have a Dell xps 8100 desktop thats i5-650 quad core processor that has 4gb ram and a 7200 rpm hard drive. I use to use it as my main desktop but not anymore. I have probably did the reinstallation of windows 7 64 bit on this desktop at least 5 times. However, each time i did this, i know i didn't wipe my desktop fully because it always seemed a bit slow even when formatting it and also, theres that old windows folder thats still there.


First off, can someone tell me if i need a reinstallation windows 7 cd for this? I don't recall if i had the cd or not when i did the reinstallation of it. It does have that sticker on the desktop so that might be what i need? The thing is the last time i used this desktop, i also formatted it and then stopped using it. I recall last time i looked at the instructions on how to wipe the hard drive fully clean etc but there was a step where i had an issue where i just couldn't do it due to me not able to click or something or the process didn't went through. I believe there were 2 different links that is here to follow the instructions to... is that correct? I know i couldn't do it due to it not working.


I then powered on my desktop again after some time and it is extremely slow and very laggy. So basically last time i formatted it but its still very slow. Also im sure this has to do with reinstalling windows 7 with dell usually has bloatware correct? I have a laptop thats asus and i know when i do a reinstall... which i cant do correctly b/c i had similar problem, theres ot of bloatware in asus computer and i dont know how to get rid of it.


Can someone tell me the steps where i would be able to completely wipe out the 7200 rpm hard drive and leave nothing there such as no old windows folder and no nothing so it can actually start really fast? I also like to say that when i first got this desktop, it always seemed pretty slow. I assume thats b/c i didn't remove the dell bloatware that came preloaded with the desktop?


I won't be using this desktop much but i want to basically make it brand new again and make it where theres no bloatware at all.

 

[gregrocker]

Everything needed is here to http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 based on what's worked best in tens of thousands of installs we've directly helped with here.

Be sure to read the Special Note to Dell OWners at the end for how to decide whether to keep the Utility partition, otherwise you'll delete all partitions during the booted install.

Pay close attention to how drivers are handled in Win7 which is not at all like XP.

You will get and keep a perfect install to the exact extent you follow the tutorial which has been used by a million consumers without a single complaint.

 

[paulyjames]

I took a look at the link and its a lot of steps. So the thing is im not sure if i have the dell reinstallation cd or not. BUt i have that sticker on the top of my xps8100. So that should be fine?

Also no matter what, i will have to download the iso file into a usb drive no matter what as well? I was going to do the wipe everything the xps 8100 today and everything but i wont be getting my new usb stick until later on. Does this mean i wouldn't be able to do this now then?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes you need a bootable DVD or flash stick to use for the install because it needs to be booted to do the install correctly, and you may need it for rescue or repairs.

Be sure to read the Special Note to Dell Owners at the end so you test your bootable Diagnostics partition to see if it will run and tell your hardware condition. If so then I would leave the Dell Utility partition, but delete all others and create and format a New one in their place. It tells in the tutorial how to decide on a partition scheme, e.g. whether you want your data kept separately from the OS to keep the C partition smaller for imaging purposes.

 

[paulyjames]

Which link am i suppose to click on to download the windows 7? I see some links with SP others without sp etc.

Windows 7 Home 64 Bit is What i have.

 

[paulyjames]

Is it the first english link thats 3.1gb?

Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1 U (media refresh)

 

[gregrocker]

Win7 Home Premium x64 SP1 English Official ISO download

 

[paulyjames]

okay the file im downloading now is the same one as the one you posted as same numbers so that should be it.

 

[paulyjames]

So i basically just drag this file to the usb flash drive right?

Also i took a look at the next steps. I do not need to keep anything in the desktop. Thus all the files that i have that i want to keep, i already have it on another laptop or i kept those files on an online storage site.

Can you tell me whats a good site to store documents/videos? At the moment i used adrive.com and it seems to be good enough.

Also when i wipe the computer and everything, isn't it a bad idea to put the videos/files that i currently had on the desktop in case those files has a virus/malware or anything like that?

 

[gregrocker]

Apparently you haven't read Step 2 yet. It tells how the ISO is written to stick.

You can save up to 15gb free to Onedrive. It shows here how to Sync, Backup and Store your Files to the Cloud with OneDrive

Before reimporting any data I would scan it with Malwarebytes | Free Anti-Malware & Internet Security Software and your AV. I use Panda free which is as lightweight but a little more powerful than Microsoft Security Essentials.

Be sure to read the Special Note to Dell Owners at the end of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 to test your Dell bootable Diagnostics via ESC key at boot, as these are valuable to have. If they will boot and run and your hardware tests OK, then during install keep the Dell Utility partition while deleting all others to create new as you wish using the Drive Options pictured in Steps 7 and 8 of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

If you want, you can create a 100gb partition in front for the OS and programs, then a second partition to store your data so that even if it's kept in the cloud via OneDrive you still have a hard copy on the HD.

This keeps the OS partition smaller for imaging purposes. You'll want to save a backup image after it's finished so you never need to reinstall again. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

 

[paulyjames]

Okay so i installed the iso file on the usb flash drive.


So at the moment, my desktop computer... i erased all the files i dont need and any file that i want to keep, i stored it in a usb flash drive or stored it online in an online storage site. At the moment im typing this on an asus laptop as i will like to wipe clean this laptop as well but first i need to wipe my dell xps 8100 first.

So looking at the steps, i did step 3. But

Backup Quickbooks 2010+ Company files from User/Public/Documents, google your version's file location, or run a QB backup, De-authorize I-Tunes.
For unbootable Windows copy data out externally using the Windows 7 disk to Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console, free Paragon rescue disk or a Linux boot disk.

This doesn't apply to me right?


I'm also confused about step 4. Do i need to do this?


Step 5 im confused with this. I did this and there are some things it says like some security updates i have to do with adobe. So i need to update it? Am i suppose to click yes for the updates? I see the audit file as i assume thats what its called and i see a red x with x number missing for security updates. Do i need to download those updates or not? When i went to it... i click it but i cant download it directly from it. So i need to download these updates and if so, how?


Hotfixes from Microsoft Update (agent version 7.6.7600.320) install automatically.
Last install: 10/15/2014 11:21:23 PM, download: 10/15/2014 9:14:47 AM, check: 10/25/2014 4:50:18 AM.

These security updates apply to this computer but are not currently installed (using Advisor definitions version 2014.10.17.1), according to the 10/14/2014 Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary and bulletins from other vendors. Note: Security benchmarks require that Critical and Important severity security updates must be installed.

Hotfix Id Severity Description (click to see security bulletin)
APSB14-22 Important Adobe Flash Player security update for Flash Player 15.0.0.152 Plugin 64-bit
APSB14-22 Important Adobe Flash Player security update for Flash Player 15.0.0.152 Plugin 32-bit
APSB14-22 Important Adobe Flash Player security update for Flash Player 15.0.0.167 ActiveX 64-bit
APSB14-22 Important Adobe Flash Player security update for Flash Player 15.0.0.167 ActiveX 32-bit

 

[gregrocker]

If you don't use Quickbooks, Itunes, or have unbootable Win7 then Step 3 doesn't apply to you.

I doubt whether you can make your Factory Recovery disks if you've already reinstalled Win7. How do I create backup discs with Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0? | Dell US

Don't worry about the security updates that Belarc says you need for the present install.

What's important is to reboot and tap the F12 key to see if Diagnostics will boot and run. These are valuable because they give you the condition of your hardware. So if they run and your hardware tests good, be sure to save only the Dell Utility partition during install so they will not be wiped out. If you are in doubt about which partition that is, post back a screenshot now of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...nt-post-screen-capture-image.html#post2261610.

So during the booted install you will delete all partitions except Utility and then create and format a new partition for Win7 install, plus if you want a separate data partition to store your files you can create that then too. The tutorial will show you how to store your data on a separate partition and even sync it to your other PC's while backing it up to the cloud.

 

[paulyjames]

The security benchmark score is 0.63 out of 10. That is not good at all right?

 

[paulyjames]

Hi. I use itunes. I dont use quickbooks. Im not sure what is meant with unbootable windows.


However, i dont mind losing all the music files in itunes b/c i have all those files saved in a storage site so i could then just copy it to computer later.

 

[paulyjames]

Okay step 6, i have the sticker on my desktop computer so that should be fine. I dont need to write the code down as the sticker is there.


For step 7, is this very necessary? The thing is i have to make sure i have internet on my desktop so im not sure how i make sure of this? I know previously when i reinstalled this dell desktop, i had the dell windows 7 driver cd to install things. So this is what i will need and thats all? But if i dont have it, does that mean i would just have to go to dell site and download the dell xps 8100 drivers on usb then plug it into the desktop to install the drivers then i would be able to use the internet? Would using the cd installing the drivers or installing the drivers via downloading it and putting it in usb be the same and thus no extra bloatware?


● Just in case, save in advance your Wireless or Ethernet LAN (wired) driver in your backup so if it isn't provided during install you can install it to get online quickly - these can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model PC. The exact make/model will be listed in your Device Manager.


This is what im referring to as not sure how this is done. I assume go to website and download the driver? Also i want to mention on my dell xps 8100 desktop, i only can use wired internet. I dont have wifi in it. So want to make sure.

 

[gregrocker]

The steps for how drivers are handled are so important they are printed in red. Do not ignore them. Do not use driver disks which are dated as soon as they are pressed.

You want your Ethernet LAN driver from the Dell Support Downloads webpage for your Dell Service tag number in the backup so if it's not provided during install you can install it to get online, enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) then Check for Updates, install all Important and Optional except Bing.

After each reboot keep going back to Check for Updates until no more are offered. Only then should you check in Device manager for missing drivers to import from the Dell Support Downloads webpage for your tag number.

 

[paulyjames]

Product Support | Dell US


So i detected the drivers for my desktop. Again im not sure but would it be correct to download every driver available here then? Thus every audio, video, bios file etc thats shown and download each one individually? Then once i do that, go to downloads page and copy all of them to the usb flash drive?

 

[gregrocker]

Most drivers are provided by Win7 so that after all Updates are done there may only be one or two still needing to be imported from that webpage. So there's no reason to download all of those. This is not XP, it's a driver-complete OS.

Use your Dell Service Tag number to get the most specific driver for your Ethernet LAN now. Confirm it is the make/model that is listed in Device Manager under Network Adapter.

 

[paulyjames]

You mention look at the important steps in red. So the ethernet wired driver is one of these in the link i posted right? Its in the Network files ?


Network (3 files)
Atheros Wireless 1525 WLAN Mini Card Desktops, v.8.0.0.376, A02View details
R290807.exe | Hard-Drive (7 MB)
Network|Release date 09 Mar 2011|Last Updated 07 Jul 2012|Recommended
Version 8.0.0.376,A02
Download File
Add to download list
Broadcom BCM57780 LOM, v.12.2.2.2, A00View details
R245425.exe | Hard-Drive (75 MB)
Network|Release date 08 Jan 2010|Last Updated 03 Nov 2011|Recommended
Version 12.2.2.2,A00
Download File
Add to download list
Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth Module ApplicationView details
R235168.exe | Hard-Drive (62 MB)
Network|Release date 08 Jan 2010|Last Updated 19 Dec 2013|Recommended
Version 6.2.0.9603,A03-1

 

[paulyjames]

Okay if im not suppose to download all these files one by one... then how am i suppose to do step 7? Im confused here as its mentioned i need to back up the wired internect connection before i wipe the computer so not sure where it is and am i suppose to save it to a usb flash drive or not...