How To_ Reformat a Computer With Windows 7 by Datech - TBCS

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How to: Reformat a computer w ith Windows 7 by Datech

By Datech at 2009-08-27 00:22 q News

q News

By Datech

Windows 7 is just around the corner; do you know what you are going to do with it? I do! You are going to get rid of XP,

Vista, Mint, Snow Leopard, Knoppix, and all the rest and install 7! Why? Because Bill Gat- er, Datech, said so!

Honestly though, this is the best version of Windows to date. I am currently running a legal copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64

bit on my laptop and I love it. To any of those naysayers who will be happy to point out 7 won't be released until October

and these are screenshots from a cracked RTM, you are wrong. So, if you are in the position to upgrade your OS, do so,

and follow my helpful guide!

This how to guide is a detailed, step by step instructional process for reformatting your personal computer with Microsoft s

Windows 7 operating system. This guide is constructed in such a way that every single step represents almost every single

click you will need to make through the install process. This guide is intended for basic users who have never reformatted a

computer before, or for experienced users who may want a clean or thorough process to follow.

I have included pictures in the majority of these steps to aid users in recognizing each step, and this has made the

document quite large. Do not be daunted by the length of this guide as the process included in it flows very quickly.

For any of you who read my How To: Reformat a Computer With Windows XP you will notice that much of the wording is the

same. That is because much of the process is the same, and therefore simple.

In later revisions I will include links to a glossary of terms, as well as other information explaining reasons why one would

want to or need to reformat. For now, only follow this guide if you know you need or want to reformat your computer with

Windows 7. So, well start from here:

1. Find your computers Make and Model. Write down any service tags or ID s associated with the physical computer.

2. Find the disc you will use to reformat the computer and locate the product key you will be using for the install.

3. If you havent made any hardware changes to the computer, find your manufacturers website and figure out how to

download all the necessary drivers. As an example, all Dell computers can navigate to www.support.dell.com to

download all the drivers associated with Dell hardware.

4. If you have made hardware changes to the computer locate the changed hardware and identify the driver used for

that hardware. As an example, anyone with an Asus motherboard can navigate to www.support.asus.com to download

all the drivers associated with an Asus motherboard.

5. Download the Windows Vista or Windows 7 network driver for your computer and store it on a flash drive, just in case.

6. Print the rest of this guide off if you only have one computer.7. Insert the Windows 7 installation CD into your computer; ignore any prompts that are displayed.

8. Restart your computer and follow the instruction to enter setup or the boot menu. As an example, on all Dell

computers you can press F12 during POST to access the boot menu (Fig 1)


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Figure 1

9. Select Boot from CD/DVD or similar option, press any key to enter the setup (Fig 2)

Figure 2

10. As the system boots you will see the Setup is Loading files and Starting Windows Screen (Fig 3). When you reach theWindows 7 'Install Windows' screen (Fig 4) configure the Language, Time and Currency, and Keyboard settings for

your computer. Click Next.

Figure 3


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Figure 6

Figure 7

13. You will then be asked what type of installation you want (Fig . I always recommend that users do a full reformat

rather than an upgrade, so select the 'Custom (advanced)' option.


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Figure 10

16. Now the computer will begin to do all of the automatic functions of the setup like 'Copying Windows Files', 'Expanding

Windows Files', and 'Installing Features' (Fig 11). The computer may restart on its own once or twice before you see

the 'Installing updates' screen (Fig 12). You may also see boot screens that say 'Starting Windows' (Fig 13),

'Completing Installation' (Fig 14), and Setup is preparing your computer for first use (Fig 15).

Figure 11


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Figure 12

Figure 13


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Settings for automatic updates (Fig 1 . Click Next.

Figure 18

22. At the 'Date and Time Settings' screen, configure the settings for your location and click Next.

23. Whether or not you have to do this next step depends entirely on your computers wireless adapter or lack thereof. If

you have a recent wireless adapter installed on your computer Windows 7 will present a screen for joining a Wireless

Network. If you see this screen Windows 7 has already identified the proper driver for your wireless adapter as well as

detected all of the wireless networks around you. If you have access to a network around you go ahead and configure

the network for your home, work, or public use.

24. After this Windows 7 will beginFinalizing Settingsand eventually take you to the new Windows 7 Desktop (Fig 19).

Get used to it, as it is a bit different but utterly incredible!

Figure 19

25. Your new installation of Windows 7 is now complete! However, now it is time to start configuring the system for your

own use. To begin, click the new Start Icon and select All Programs (Fig 20), then select Windows Update (Fig 21).


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Figure 20

Figure 21

26. When the Windows Update window opens, clickFind out morewhere it says Get updates for other Microsoft

Products.(Fig 22)


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Figure 24

Figure 25

30. It is recommended that you run Microsoft Update multiple times, and use it at least once a month. The updates will

install programs that require your input from time to time, so pay attention and know what you are agreeing to.

31. Hopefully by now you have noticed that your computer probably already has sound, wireless connectivity, wired

connectivity, and may even be displaying everything in the proper resolution. This is due to the fact that Windows 7

has already identified the majority of the drivers your computer needs, and has already implemented them. However,

you still need to search your manufacturer s website for all other applicable drivers for your computer. Many

companies, like Dell, already offer both 32 and 64 bit drivers for Windows 7. If you can t find a Windows 7 driver that

works, search for a Windows Vista driver for the same equipment instead as it will probably work just the same.

32. Now you need to get a few plug-ins and extra software that will allow you to view a plethora of common content.

r Adobe Flash Player

r QuickTime

r Java

33. Now its time to get some useful software on that computer of yours! Below I have provided a list of useful software

and their download locations. I would recommend getting the majority of the programs listed below as they will provide


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you untold benefit in times to come.

r Avast! Antivirus

r Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome

r CCleaner

r doPDF 6

r Foxit Reader

r OpenOffice

r InfraRecorder

r 7-Zip

r Digsby

And there you have it, your fresh and clean install of Windows 7 should be up and running. Feel free to contact me if you

have any problems or questions.

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