Want clean install on new HDD part 1

Miskonduct

Here is my situation:

I will be getting a 500GB 7200rpm internal hard drive to replace my Fujitsu MHW2160BJ G2 ATA which is a 160GB, 5400rpm HDD that came with my Dell Inspiron 1520. It has reached its capacity and I decided to upgrade it to a larger one.

So what I would like to do is not clone my entire 160GB hard drive to the new 500GB. I would like to do a "new"/clean install of Windows 7 onto the 500GB.

I have the .iso windows 7 32bit downloaded.

What do I need to do from here? I believe I burn this to a DVD then once I install my 500GB I just put the disk in and install?

ignatzatsonic

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

Here is my situation:

I will be getting a 500GB 7200rpm internal hard drive to replace my Fujitsu MHW2160BJ G2 ATA which is a 160GB, 5400rpm HDD that came with my Dell Inspiron 1520. It has reached its capacity and I decided to upgrade it to a larger one.

So what I would like to do is not clone my entire 160GB hard drive to the new 500GB. I would like to do a "new"/clean install of Windows 7 onto the 500GB.

I have the .iso windows 7 32bit downloaded.

What do I need to do from here? I believe I burn this to a DVD then once I install my 500GB I just put the disk in and install?

That's about it. Boot from your burned DVD. I assume it's a retail version and you have a product key to activate.

Disconnect the old drive before you begin.

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

Here is my situation:

I will be getting a 500GB 7200rpm internal hard drive to replace my Fujitsu MHW2160BJ G2 ATA which is a 160GB, 5400rpm HDD that came with my Dell Inspiron 1520. It has reached its capacity and I decided to upgrade it to a larger one.

So what I would like to do is not clone my entire 160GB hard drive to the new 500GB. I would like to do a "new"/clean install of Windows 7 onto the 500GB.

I have the .iso windows 7 32bit downloaded.

What do I need to do from here? I believe I burn this to a DVD then once I install my 500GB I just put the disk in and install?

That's about it. Boot from your burned DVD. I assume it's a retail version and you have a product key to activate.

Disconnect the old drive before you begin.

I believe it is a retail version. Here was the link for the download:
http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent..../X15-65732.iso

I have a product key. I upgraded from Vista to Windows 7 when it was first released and never received the installation disk. I purchased the Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit. That iso was only labeled as W7 32bit. How do I figure out the edition?

And also, when you say disconnect the old drive you mean put the new 500GB in replace of the 160GB before I boot the computer?

ignatzatsonic

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

Here is my situation:

I will be getting a 500GB 7200rpm internal hard drive to replace my Fujitsu MHW2160BJ G2 ATA which is a 160GB, 5400rpm HDD that came with my Dell Inspiron 1520. It has reached its capacity and I decided to upgrade it to a larger one.

So what I would like to do is not clone my entire 160GB hard drive to the new 500GB. I would like to do a "new"/clean install of Windows 7 onto the 500GB.

I have the .iso windows 7 32bit downloaded.

What do I need to do from here? I believe I burn this to a DVD then once I install my 500GB I just put the disk in and install?

That's about it. Boot from your burned DVD. I assume it's a retail version and you have a product key to activate.

Disconnect the old drive before you begin.

I believe it is a retail version. Here was the link for the download:
http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent..../X15-65732.iso

I have a product key. I upgraded from Vista to Windows 7 when it was first released and never received the installation disk. I purchased the Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit. That iso was only labeled as W7 32bit. How do I figure out the edition?

And also, when you say disconnect the old drive you mean put the new 500GB in replace of the 160GB before I boot the computer?

I can't help you with the edition question, but you will find out soon enough when you install it.

Yes--remove or at least disconnect the old drive. Install the new drive. Boot from your burned CD. If you don't remove the old drive, Windows might decide to install some files on the old drive and you don't want that.

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

That's about it. Boot from your burned DVD. I assume it's a retail version and you have a product key to activate.

Disconnect the old drive before you begin.

I believe it is a retail version. Here was the link for the download:
http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent..../X15-65732.iso

I have a product key. I upgraded from Vista to Windows 7 when it was first released and never received the installation disk. I purchased the Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit. That iso was only labeled as W7 32bit. How do I figure out the edition?

And also, when you say disconnect the old drive you mean put the new 500GB in replace of the 160GB before I boot the computer?

I can't help you with the edition question, but you will find out soon enough when you install it.

Yes--remove or at least disconnect the old drive. Install the new drive. Boot from your burned CD. If you don't remove the old drive, Windows might decide to install some files on the old drive and you don't want that.

Do you know where an iso file of windows 7 Home Premium 32bit can be found?

And, I see what you're saying about the hard drive. I'll definitely be sure to remove the old before I install W7.

ignatzatsonic

I thought you said you purchased Windows 7 32 bit Home Premium (the ISO). Why do you need another copy? I guess I don't understand your situation.

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

I thought you said you purchased Windows 7 32 bit Home Premium (the ISO). Why do you need another copy? I guess I don't understand your situation.

I purchased Windows 7 32bit Home Premium when it was first released as a student upgrade via online. I installed it, but never received anything else in terms of an iso file or disk. I'm trying to figure out how to get an iso file for that version. Sorry for being unclear. Obviously, this whole "clean" install is all new to me. Especially since I'm installing a new hard drive.

ignatzatsonic

Here is the link to where MS made good on their fulfiller Digital River not providing ISO files at first: Microsoft Fixes Windows 7 Student Edition Upgrade Problems - Windows 7 student edition - Gizmodo

Burn ISO to DVD or write to USB stick: Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool - Windows 7 Forums

Here are tips for getting a perfect reinstall - use the ones which apply: Reinstalling Windows 7

Miskonduct

In what form was the version you purchased? Not a disk? Not an ISO? What was it?

And you have downloaded another ISO? Could it be Windows 7 Home Premium? I would have thought you could have found out when you downloaded it.

I can't direct you to an ISO, but I know they were around when Windows 7 was first released.

Guest

�� Quote: Originally Posted by gregrocker

Here is the link to where MS made good on their fulfiller Digital River not providing ISO files at first: Microsoft Fixes Windows 7 Student Edition Upgrade Problems - Windows 7 student edition - Gizmodo

Burn ISO to DVD or write to USB stick: Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool - Windows 7 Forums

Here are tips for getting a perfect reinstall - use the ones which apply: Reinstalling Windows 7

That's perfect! Thank you so much.

By the way, out of curiousity, will my 3GB of RAM be able to handle a 64bit W7?

ignatzatsonic

Yes. 3 GB will do a pretty good job. Even 2 GB in most cases.

Miskonduct

In terms of once I have the fresh install of Windows 7, what is the best way to update all my drivers and anything else you guys can think of that will need to be done on a clean install on a new hard drive.

rob3

Install windows with your product key and let finish the do windows update.
It will search for the newest drivers for your setup..

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by rob3

Install windows with your product key and let finish the do windows update.
It will search for the newest drivers for your setup..

Sounds easy enough. Anything else needed to know after a clean install?

ignatzatsonic

Get anti-virus going. Set System Restore to utilize as much space as you want. Stay on top of Windows updates. Get some type of backup policy going.

rob3

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by rob3

Install windows with your product key and let finish the do windows update.
It will search for the newest drivers for your setup..

Sounds easy enough. Anything else needed to know after a clean install?

Not much.For normal user.

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

Get anti-virus going. Set System Restore to utilize as much space as you want. Stay on top of Windows updates. Get some type of backup policy going.

Got it.

How would you suggest to set System Restore to utilize space?

ignatzatsonic

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

How would you suggest to set System Restore to utilize space?

The default amount is quite high and it can eat into your occupied space, so you may want to restrain it. There is a slider in the configuration. You can figure maybe allot 1 GB for each restore point. Something like that. I use about 7 GB, which gives me a couple of weeks worth of restore points.

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

How would you suggest to set System Restore to utilize space?

The default amount is quite high and it can eat into your occupied space, so you may want to restrain it. There is a slider in the configuration. You can figure maybe allot 1 GB for each restore point. Something like that. I use about 7 GB, which gives me a couple of weeks worth of restore points.

I'm looking and can't seem to find where I can adjust the system restore points. I got to control panel>Backup and Restore. Not seeing where I can adjust the allotment.

Guest

System Protection - Change Disk Space Usage

I set mine to 15-20% so Restore Points stick around a lot longer. We regularly save systems here using older restore points.

ignatzatsonic

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

How would you suggest to set System Restore to utilize space?

The default amount is quite high and it can eat into your occupied space, so you may want to restrain it. There is a slider in the configuration. You can figure maybe allot 1 GB for each restore point. Something like that. I use about 7 GB, which gives me a couple of weeks worth of restore points.

I'm looking and can't seem to find where I can adjust the system restore points. I got to control panel>Backup and Restore. Not seeing where I can adjust the allotment.

control panel/system/system protection/configure. It has nothing to do with backup and restore.

Miskonduct

Another question: What is the best way to go about partitioning this new HDD?

Miskonduct

Depends on how many programs you have and whether you want to keep your User folders on the same partition or link them to a separate data partition so it keeps the System image smaller. User Folders - Change Default Location

You can decide this later if you want, starting with a 100gb OS partition created by the installer's Custom>Drive options as shown in this tutorial: Clean Install Windows 7

Using Upgrade version you'll need to leave the Product Key blank during install then afterwards do the quick registry workaround given here to activate Upgrade version on a cleaned HD: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version .

Once again here are tips to get a perfect install so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage using DVD from stored image: Reinstalling Windows 7

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by gregrocker

Depends on how many programs you have and whether you want to keep your User folders on the same partition or link them to a separate data partition so it keeps the System image smaller. User Folders - Change Default Location

You can decide this later if you want, starting with a 100gb OS partition created by the installer's Custom>Drive options as shown in this tutorial: Clean Install Windows 7

Using Upgrade version you'll need to leave the Product Key blank during install then afterwards do the quick registry workaround given here to activate Upgrade version on a cleaned HD: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version .

Once again here are tips to get a perfect install so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage using DVD from stored image: Reinstalling Windows 7

So if I'm understanding this correctly when I reach this point: http://www.sevenforums.com/attachmen...s-7-step13.jpg

I am to not input the product key and ensure that the Automatically update box is unchecked and then click next. From there do the workaround registration where I use the MediaBootInstall.reg?

Also, as far as the partitioning. Currently my recovery partition D: drive is only 10GB and I use about 4GB of that.

Miskonduct

You'll need to make your Recovery Disks as the new HD will not have the Recovery partition and it's not really worth trying to copy it over since it will not run from Win7 after reinstall and is likely to lose it's hotkey to run from boot. Dell Restoring Your Computer�s Software to the Factory Settings

These disks would be used if you ever want to recovery your Inspiron to factory condition to sell or migrate your retail Win7 to another machine. You can also use a Vista installer to clean reinstall much as you're doing now with Win7.

Of course you can keep the old HD to replace in the machine if you ever decide to get rid of it, run the Recov Disks or Partition or just leave it as is.

The new HD with your Win7 can be SysPrepped on the current machine to move to any other hardware using this method: SysPrep to move HD to another computer. Otherwise Win7 would likely not start on another machine by moving it's HD or image.

Miskonduct

And also, is there anything I should do with my current 160GB internal HDD before I replace it for the new one? I was going to use it as an external now.

Bare Foot Kid

�� Quote: Originally Posted by gregrocker

You'll need to make your Recovery Disks as the new HD will not have the Recovery partition and it's not really worth trying to copy it over since it will not run from Win7 after reinstall and is likely lose it's hotkey to run from boot.

These disks would be used if you ever want to recovery your Inspiron to factory condition to sell or migrate your retail Win7 to another machine. You can also use a Vista installer to clean reinstall much as you're doing now with Win7.

In essence I can just make a 10GB Recovery Disk to act as my recovery partition if I wanted?

You mentioned that partitioning the new HDD will depend on how many programs I'll have. I'll probably mainly use it for user folders to help save space on the C drive. If that is the case, how should I partition the HDD?

Guest

Start with 50gb for Win7, 100gb for User folders linked from Win7 using the tutorial I linked earlier, then you can Resize later if needed using Disk Mgmt, or free Partition Wizard bootable CD when you need to Resize to the left.

The backup image will only be the used partition size.

What 10gb Recovery Disk are you referring to - is this the size Dell Recovery wants for your Vista Recov Disks?

Guest

�� Quote: Originally Posted by gregrocker

Start with 100gb for Win7, 100gb for User folders then you can Resize later if needed using Disk Mgmt or free Partition Wizard bootable CD when you need to Resize to the left.

I'm not sure why you would make a Recovery partition on the same HD. The smartest way is to save a Win7 backup image (the last step in my Perfect Install steps) to an external or another HD - you might plug back in your other HD for this purpose. This way you can still reimage your Win7 to a new HD if the HD dies.

Did you have another idea for the Recovery Partition?

Okay, I see. I also have an 160GB external aside from my 160GB internal that will be replaced with the 500GB. These back up images of W7 are quite large, so I'm trying to see what I can delete in order to save the image.

And for the 100GB for win7 and 100GB for user folders, that is done when installing win7 correct? This part - http://www.sevenforums.com/attachmen...ws-7-step8.jpg

Guest

Hello Miskonduct, welcome to Seven Forums!


Have a look Method One in this tutorial at the link below for another partition / storage option.


Partition / Extended : Logical Drives

Miskonduct

I amended my last post as I read your reference to making a Recov Disk wrong.

I also think 50gb might be sufficient for the OS partition if you're linking the User folders to another partition - but of course this depends on how many programs you have, and if you want to increase space (I use 20%) for System Restore points so you have more options if you need to rescue your System: System Protection - Change Disk Space Usage - Windows 7 Forums

However as the backup image only is as large as the used space, make OS/Programs larger if you want.

Remember you need to separately back up your User folders partition externally as well: Backup User and System Files - Windows 7 Forums. I just drag mine monthly to external.

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by gregrocker

Start with 50gb for Win7, 100gb for User folders linked from Win7 using the tutorial I linked earlier, then you can Resize later if needed using Disk Mgmt, or free Partition Wizard bootable CD when you need to Resize to the left.

The backup image will only be the used partition size.

What 10gb Recovery Disk are you referring to - is this the size Dell Recovery wants for your Vista Recov Disks?

Yeah sorry, the 10GB is the recovery disk that Dell had. To give you a better idea here is a picture of my HDD and External HD -

So when partition 50GB for win7 and 100gb for user folders this can all be done AFTER the clean install correct? Because, I have seen that you can allocate space during the clean install process.

ignatzatsonic

You'll need 3 DVD's for the Dell Recov disks as DVD's are 4.7 gb.

I think what I would do during install is make the 50-100gb OS partition, then format, accepting the System Reserved boot partition which places the Repair console on F8 boot options menu.

Then after install and setup, when most programs are installed you can see if your OS partition is correctly sized before creating the data partition in Disk Mgmt to link User folders into using tutorial. Partition or Volume - Create New

Others may have fresh suggestions as I'm taking my dog to swim in the ocean.

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by gregrocker

You'll need 3 DVD's for the Dell Recov disks as DVD's are 4.7 gb.

I think what I would do during install is make the 50-100gb OS partition, then format, accepting the System Reserved boot partition which places the Repair console on F8 boot options menu.

Then after install and setup, when most programs are installed you can see if your OS partition is correctly sized before creating the data partition in Disk Mgmt to link User folders into using tutorial. Partition or Volume - Create New

Others may have fresh suggestions as I'm taking my dog to swim in the ocean.

Okay. I've already done a backup of my internal HD onto my external HD. So in terms of backing up my computer I should be okay there.

So during the install process you are recommending to partition 50-100GB for the OS? Sorry, bare with me, this is quite new to me.

ignatzatsonic

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

So during the install process you are recommending to partition 50-100GB for the OS? Sorry, bare with me, this is quite new to me.

Yes, that is a typical size. A bare Windows installation takes 8 or 10 GB, and then you add in your applications and updates. You might have 30 GB occupied when you are done, but you want to leave some spare space for growth over years.

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

So during the install process you are recommending to partition 50-100GB for the OS? Sorry, bare with me, this is quite new to me.

Yes, that is a typical size. A bare Windows installation takes 8 or 10 GB, and then you add in your applications and updates. You might have 30 GB occupied when you are done, but you want to leave some spare space for growth over years.

So how about something like this:
C: = 100GB for OS
D: = 350GB for programs

Is there a specific way to which drive the OS is installed on?

ignatzatsonic

No.

100 for OS and programs.

350 for your data.

Assuming you have total space of 450 on the whole drive.

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

No.

100 for OS and programs.

350 for your data.

Assuming you have total space of 450 on the whole drive.

What about:

100GB for OS and programs
400GB for data

And data is what exactly?

I'll have a 500GB HD. And you mean no to where the OS is installed? How do I separate things between the partitions?

Guest

That's fine. 100 for OS and programs and the entire rest of the drive for data.

The OS and all programs should be installed to the 100 gig partition. You can make that partition during the Windows installation. You can make the other 400 GB partition later if you want to.

Data? That's whatever you use the computer for. Letters to grandma? Games? Collecting music? Writing programs? Editing pictures with Photoshop? Whatever. Put all of your data on the big partition, separate from the OS and your programs.

Guest

�� Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

That's fine. 100 for OS and programs and the entire rest of the drive for data.

The OS and all programs should be installed to the 100 gig partition. You can make that partition during the Windows installation. You can make the other 400 GB partition later if you want to.

Data? That's whatever you use the computer for. Letters to grandma? Games? Collecting music? Writing programs? Editing pictures with Photoshop? Whatever. Put all of your data on the big partition, separate from the OS and your programs.

Okay, that makes sense now. What I'm curious about is when I install the OS, programs, and music, etc. How do I put the OS and programs on the 100GB drive and the music and everything else on the 400GB drive?

Bare Foot Kid

Just do as has been suggested and create a single 100GB partition during the installation process and don't be concerned if it says additional partitions will be automatically created.

Then when Windows 7 is installed and booting good you can create additional partitions if you choose using Windows disk management.

ignatzatsonic

During the installation you will make a new partition of 100 gb and you will tell Window to install to it, rather than to any other partition.

That partition will become your C partition. Any programs you install later will install to C by default, which is what you would want.

When you buy or download an mp3, you can choose to save it on the big partition (probably D) rather than C. You can also re-direct your user folder to point to D rather than C if you want to.

Personally, I don't use Windows user folders at all. I just make all my folders on D directly. I made my own folders on D called mp3, pictures, video, etc. You can do that too, or you can use the re-directed Windows folders. It's easy and very commonly done.

The point is to NOT put any data on C. Only the OS and installed programs go on C.

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Bare Foot Kid

Just do as has been suggested and create a single 100GB partition during the installation process and don't be concerned if it says additional partitions will be automatically created.

Then when Windows 7 is installed and booting good you can create additional partitions if you choose using Windows disk management.

Okay. Got it. So don't be concerned with any additional partitions that are automatically created. Just leave those alone when it happens?

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

During the installation you will make a new partition of 100 gb and you will tell Window to install to it, rather than to any other partition.

That partition will become your C partition. Any programs you install later will install to C by default, which is what you would want.

When you buy or download an mp3, you can choose to save it on the big partition (probably D) rather than C. You can also re-direct your user folder to point to D rather than C if you want to.

Personally, I don't use Windows user folders at all. I just make all my folders on D directly. I made my own folders on D called mp3, pictures, video, etc. You can do that too, or you can use the re-directed Windows folders. It's easy and very commonly done.

The point is to NOT put any data on C. Only the OS and installed programs go on C.

Awesome. I think I've got it! haha I appreciate you guys' patience with me. I know it's not easy. But it really has helped me understand all of this. I may have questions later about either redirecting the user folder or creating folders directly. I believe there is a tutorial that shows how to redirect the user folders? But anyway, I'll be sure to let you know how it all turns out.

Bare Foot Kid

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Bare Foot Kid

Just do as has been suggested and create a single 100GB partition during the installation process and don't be concerned if it says additional partitions will be automatically created.

Then when Windows 7 is installed and booting good you can create additional partitions if you choose using Windows disk management.

Okay. Got it. So don't be concerned with any additional partitions that are automatically created. Just leave those alone when it happens?

Yes, do as ignatzatsonic says and be sure the 100GB partition is highlighted blue for the install and not the little 100MB "System" partition the installer will create.

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Bare Foot Kid

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Bare Foot Kid

Just do as has been suggested and create a single 100GB partition during the installation process and don't be concerned if it says additional partitions will be automatically created.

Then when Windows 7 is installed and booting good you can create additional partitions if you choose using Windows disk management.

Okay. Got it. So don't be concerned with any additional partitions that are automatically created. Just leave those alone when it happens?

Yes, do as ignatzatsonic says and be sure the 100GB partition is highlighted blue for the install and not the little 100MB "System" partition the installer will create.

Cool. I'll be sure to do that. Thanks!

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

What I'm curious about is when I install the OS, programs, and music, etc. How do I put the OS and programs on the 100GB drive and the music and everything else on the 400GB drive?

Read this tutorial over carefully:

Ask back if you have any questions. User Folders - Change Default Location

Then after install you can follow its steps if you still want to put your User folders (Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, Favorites, etc) on a second data partition.

ignatzatsonic

So when I installed my 500GB hard drive and booted up the windows isntallation. It showed it as 465GB is that correct?

Miskonduct

Yes.

You can subtract about 7% from the advertised figure, which gives you 465.

Guest

Okay, so I partitioned 100GB for my OS and programs. But I don't see the unallocated 365GB under my computer?

ignatzatsonic

Go to disk management and you should see it. You can make a partition out of it in disk management and assign the drive letter D to it. Right click that unallocated space in disk management.

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

Go to disk management and you should see it. You can make a partition out of it in disk management and assign the drive letter D to it. Right click that unallocated space in disk management.

Once I right click how do I make it into drive letter D?

ignatzatsonic

You must make a partition and format it first. You can't assign a drive letter to unallocated space.

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

You must make a partition and format it first. You can't assign a drive letter to unallocated space.

Gotcha. How do I make it a partition and format it first then?

ignatzatsonic

As I said:

Go to disk management and right click the unallocated space.

Miskonduct

�� Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

As I said:

Go to disk management and right click the unallocated space.

All I'm seeing his the option for "New Simple Volume" is that what you are referring to?

Miskonduct

I'll post this again so you can see how to Create a Partition: Partition or Volume - Create New

I thought you were going to make your partition during install using the Custom>Drive Options.

ignatzatsonic

�� Quote: Originally Posted by gregrocker

I'll post this again so you can see how to Create a Partition: Partition or Volume - Create New

I thought you were going to make your partition during install using the Custom>Drive Options.

I must have been confused. I made the partition for the 100GB and figured the remaining memory would be partitioned. My mistake.

Miskonduct

Yeah, I thnk that is it. Make sure you are right clicking the unallocated space rather than C.

After you create the volume, you should be able to format it.

Guest

Done deal. So now, what is the best way to ensure that only programs I install are on my 100GB partition and my data on the 365GB partition?

ignatzatsonic

Here you go for the third time:

�� Quote: Originally Posted by gregrocker

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

What I'm curious about is when I install the OS, programs, and music, etc. How do I put the OS and programs on the 100GB drive and the music and everything else on the 400GB drive?

Read this tutorial over carefully:

Ask back if you have any questions. User Folders - Change Default Location

Then after install you can follow its steps if you still want to put your User folders (Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, Favorites, etc) on a second data partition.

Miskonduct

Any installation will land on C by default. You don't have to choose anything.

Data goes where you put it. It won't go to C unless you deliberately save to the C drive.

Save directly to D by choosing D when you save. This is what I do.

Or save to redirected user folder on C and the stuff will land on D.

ignatzatsonic

�� Quote: Originally Posted by gregrocker

Here you go for the third time:

�� Quote: Originally Posted by gregrocker

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

What I'm curious about is when I install the OS, programs, and music, etc. How do I put the OS and programs on the 100GB drive and the music and everything else on the 400GB drive?

Read this tutorial over carefully:

Ask back if you have any questions. User Folders - Change Default Location

Then after install you can follow its steps if you still want to put your User folders (Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, Favorites, etc) on a second data partition.

Sorry, I must have missed that.

It works out well. I understand it. Thank you!

On a side note, would you guys recommend getting rid of internet explorer? I use Firefox only. And if so, do I just go to uninstall programs to do so?

Miskonduct

No, you should keep it as a backup.

It's also worth trying as it's perfected in 8 and 9.

ignatzatsonic

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Miskonduct

On a side note, would you guys recommend getting rid of internet explorer? I use Firefox only. And if so, do I just go to uninstall programs to do so?

It's built into Windows. I don't think you could uninstall it if you wanted to.

Miskonduct

Thanks guys.

Under my C: drive I notice there are two Program Files folders. One that says Program Files (x86) and just Program Files. They have similar folders within each of them.

Bare Foot Kid

That is normal. 64 bit programs will install to Program Files and 32 bit programs will install to Program Files (x86).

Good job, sound like you have it working properly so far.

Guest

�� Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

That is normal. 64 bit programs will install to Program Files and 32 bit programs will install to Program Files (x86).

Good job, sound like you have it working properly so far.

Hey thanks guys for all of your help and patience with me! It was greatly appreciated. You all are the reason I was able to get this running. Thank you. If I have any more questions, I'll be sure to post them here.

Guest

Good to see you got it running and thanks for the update.