Reparing Windows 7

[Brumboy]

I'm having a few problems with my computer and I can't seem to locate the specific problem, also doesn't help that my restore points have been deleted.

So I was wondering if it's possible to basically restore/repair Windows 7 back to it's original system settings without my data files (films/music/pictures) being deleted.

My hard drive is split in two partitions, one for Windows 7 & programs and the second for my data files.

I heard you can repair Windows 7, but will that uninstall all of my programs? I really would like to start again without deleting all my files off my hard drive so if anyone can explain how to do this that would be brilliant.

Would I also need to install my graphic card drivers aswell?

I don't mind reinstalling programs it's just all my data I'm worried about, I only have about 20 programs to install, most are fast to install.

 

[Brumboy]

I haven't updated my graphics driver, it's just the default one from the CD, so that would be ok right?

I do have backups but I would rather not transfer 600GB+ of data around.

So if I do a clean brand new install on the windows partition it won't affect or damage/delete any of my data on the second partition?

This clean install..is it just like installing windows 7 for the first time? with literally no programs/system changes, just the basic default settings, cause that's what I want, then I can be careful about what programs/settings I change without deleting my data files.

 

[Brumboy]

Right that seems good, I'll have to make sure I choose the right partition! I really like the fact that the partition will make it a whole lot easier to repair windows in the future if I come across any serious errors/viruses.

I have about 450GB of data backed up on a 500GB hard drive, but I've literally just ordered a 2 TB external HDD which comes tomorrow so I'll be able to backup everything safely aswell as create a system image.

Also, when I'm doing this clean install will I be able to change partition sizes? I have one partition for Windows which is 200GB and 1.62TB partition for data, but I want to increase the size the 200GB partition to 300GB.

One last thing, will this have any affect on the motherboard settings & BIOS? My CPU is overclocked via the Asus BIOS system and the BIOS has been flashed to the latest version, my BIOS/overclock settings shouldn't change?

Thanks for the help aswell.

 

[Brumboy]

Alright thanks.

Also, when I'm doing this clean install will I be able to change partition sizes? I have one partition for Windows which is 200GB and 1.62TB partition for data, but I want to increase the size the 200GB partition to 300GB, is this possible during the install of Windows 7?

 

[Brumboy]

When I insert the CD and start Windows 7 Installer up, there are two options, Upgrade & Custom.

Which one do I go for? Apparentely custom install will wipe all my data, but does that apply for partition 1 with Windows 7 or partition 2 with all my data on?

I want a clean install of Windows but I want to keep all my data files on my 2nd partition.