HDD

Garonazz · 14 Oct 2010 at 12:01

So Im reusing my HDD in the new build and I want to install Windows 7 on it since the Vista im using now wont work on a new motherboard (Licensing?) So how do I get rid of this windows ? Every time I format I dont need a CD to reinstall it, its like its already in.

Help ?

Philtor · 14 Oct 2010 at 12:05

Garonazz said:
Every time I format I dont need a CD to reinstall its like its already in.

That's very strange as even a quick format should stop that from happening. This time when you install Windows 7 make sure you only have the one partition showing and click format. If you have more than one partition then delete the other(s). You can check this on the screen where you are given the option to format the drive or create a new partition.

Garonazz · 14 Oct 2010 at 12:10

Yeah, but this is how the computer came. All I had to do it is plug it in and the Windows vista would install itself. Every format its the same. Obviously its gonna keep happening if they didnt give me a CD, incase I wanted to format.

So I want to get rid of it completely so I can install W7 on the new build.

Philtor · 14 Oct 2010 at 12:16

It sounds like you have a recovery partition on the drive. As I say when you go to install Windows 7 you should be able to see the partitions on the drive and delete any additional one's, then format the remaining primary partition. An alternative method (which will wipe everything on the drive for sure

) is to download and run DBAN. Probably overkill here right enough but it's always another option if your stuck.

http://www.dban.org/

Garonazz · 14 Oct 2010 at 12:18

Thanks a lot!

Garonazz · 14 Oct 2010 at 12:22

Btw, is it possible to actually keep vista on this HDD and use it on the new build ? Like ive said before, Someone told me its not possible due to licensing. is it true ?

Liampope · 14 Oct 2010 at 12:43

philtorrens said:
It sounds like you have a recovery partition on the drive. As I say when you go to install Windows 7 you should be able to see the partitions on the drive and delete any additional one's, then format the remaining primary partition. An alternative method (which will wipe everything on the drive for sure ) is to download and run DBAN. Probably overkill here right enough but it's always another option if your stuck.

http://www.dban.org/

I would think you'd have to delete ALL the partitions on the drive, then make a new one filling the drive (or however many you want), then install on that. Keeping an old partition that had windows on it and just formatting it will leave stuff behind.

Philtor · 14 Oct 2010 at 13:37

Liampope said:
I would think you'd have to delete ALL the partitions on the drive, then make a new one filling the drive (or however many you want), then install on that. Keeping an old partition that had windows on it and just formatting it will leave stuff behind.

AFAIK you can't delete the primary partition when reinstalling - only format it. It's been a while since I done a clean install however so I may be wrong.

Liampope · 14 Oct 2010 at 13:44

philtorrens said:
AFAIK you can't delete the primary partition when reinstalling - only format it. It's been a while since I done a clean install however so I may be wrong.

On a proper clean install - i.e. booting off the optical disk, you should get the option to remove everything on the HDD and start afresh. Definately always used to with 98/XP, and if I recall (6-odd months ago now) 7 is the same.