Wiping Out Everything on Dell XPS 8100 Desktop

[paulyjames]

I didn't click any disk management. I clicked f12 when restarting, then clicked on diagnostics and did the test and it said



No problems have been found on system so far. Do you want to run the remaining memory tests? This will take about 30 minutes or more. Do you want to continu? (Recommended)

Yes or no


You said i could try it so I then did the 30 minute test and got the message

Preboot system assessement completed. NO diagnositc utility partition identified. Please select okay to reboot the system.



I didnt do the disk management thing. I dont know how to do that.

I just right now found the disk management.

I see


C file (boot, page file, crash dump, primary partition) 465.66gb

System Reserved system, active, primary partition 100gb

 

[paulyjames]

I wanted to know, do i need to restart it again, press f12 and now press on utility partition...

 

[paulyjames]

Then repeat and look for Utility Partition to see if it has more Diagnostics choices to run.



Thus do you need me to click on utility partition option.

 

[gregrocker]

OK so the hardware diagnostics are running from the BIOS or C since you have no Utility Partition. Unless you see it because it is hidden you should delete all partitions during the actual install.

You're doing fine. Continue.

 

[paulyjames]

I restarted, clicked f12, clicked utility partition, got the message

No Diagnostic Utility Partition Identified: Press any key to reboot

 

[paulyjames]

Okay so now i do the Boot the Windows 7 installer?




Im bit confused b/c Boot the Windows 7 installer, because all i see is the person clicking restart on the computer... yet it goes to that screen and not sure how they get there. I assume this person already has the windows 7 cd in and that is what happens when you click restart?


So since im using the usb flash drive, i would't need to click restart. Just put the flash drive in and then click on the isofile setup? What im confused is why there is that thing with the partition etc on the windows 7 installer link ...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZJ5i3eYgKA.


Because isn't that something that doesn't show up after you put the windows 7 into it?

 

[gregrocker]

Plug in ethernet cable and flash stick. Reboot the PC and tap F12, select Flash Stick.

Proceed to and click on Install Now. When you get to the drive selection screen click on Drive Options. Delete all partitions until it is all Unallocated Space. Then click New to create and format partition. If you want a separate data partition you can create it now too. Just make sure you have highlighted the first large partition ( ignoring 100mb boot partition created) before clicking Next.

While it is installing read over the steps so you know what to do next.

Look for network connection in System tray at bottom right of new desktop. If not connected install Ethernet driver to get online and begin installing Updates. There will be many rounds of them with reboots in between.

Keep referring to steps to make sure you don't miss any.

 

[paulyjames]

Where do you want to install windows?


Disk 0 partition 1: system reserved 100mb 71mb free space System

Disk 0 Partition 2 465.7gb 418.1gb free space primary


Does it matter which one i delete first?

 

[paulyjames]

okay i deleted the big partition then the smaller one.

 

[paulyjames]

Okay after i deleted both partition, i saw like 476gb where you could go up or down. I just clicked next.


I see then


Disk 0 Partition1 Total size Free Space Type
465.8gb 465.7gb Primary


I clicked next and it says


setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing parittion. see the setup log files for more information. I clicked format waited a bit... same message...


I cant click next...

 

[paulyjames]

Am i suppose to delete this partition?


Options are


Refresh, delete, format, load driver.


And then next but next shows that message.

 

[paulyjames]

Is the reason im having this problem because for the number, i had 476gb put in and didnt change it and since the total size is 465.8gb, that wouldn't work? I just took a look and saw this

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52291-partition-hard-drive-windows-7-install.html


And saw the person put half the partition size in it and instead of 20, put 10.


However i see the


disk 0 partition 1 and the 465.8gb total size and 465.7gb free space available right now instead of the unallocated so not sure why this happened...


I assume i have to delete this partition, then the unallocated partition will show up and then the number that is shown, i have to put 1/2 of it?

 

[gregrocker]

Are you sure you deleted all until there is only Unallocated Space, then created that new partition? It should have created a 100mb boot partition.

Yes you can make it 100gb although larger should work too. I gave you ideas for partitioning but apparently it didn't get through.

 

[paulyjames]

I deleted it again.


Now i see


Disk 0 Unallocated Space 465.8gb total size and free space.... both are same number.


It shows


size 476938 MB. Then next to it is apply.


Earlier i clicked next. I assume this number has to be smaller than 465800 then and thats why im getting these errors?


So i change the 476938 to 240000 then click apply? All i see is the person in that link said they put 1/2 the number so is that what im suppose to do here?

 

[paulyjames]

And yes i did what you said earlier. I basically just clicked apply and didnt change the 476938mb number. Then when i clicked next it didnt work and format didnt work either...

 

[paulyjames]

Am i suppose to change the 476938mb number to 100000mb, thus 100gb??

 

[gregrocker]

You can choose any size partition that doesn't affect it.

The question is: Is it creating the 100mb boot partition when you Apply?

You do not want to choose that one for install. Choose the larger one.

 

[paulyjames]

At the moment the screen shows


Disk 0 Unallocated Space Total Size is 465.8GB and Free Size is 465.8GB


The cursor is on 476938MB and i have the option to change this number. Then i have to click APPLY.


So now i have to put a number of mb. I know earlier i didnt change the number and this was an issue...


So I assume i have to change that number to 240000MB or 100000MB? Does that make sense in what im saying? I know that i have to click apply right afterwards.

 

[paulyjames]

Well what mb size would you want me to put before i click apply? You said it doesnt matter but when i kept it same number... then apply then clicked next etc i had problems with it. So just wondering if i should put 1/2 it thus like 240000mb or make it 100000 mb then click apply...

 

[gregrocker]

For the third time it doesn't matter. Will you please Apply it At whatever size you want and then answer my question so we can move on to what other steps might be required