How do I do a fresh install ?

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stevewestern

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My laptop is 5 years old and is getting so slow, so I guess I need to start again and re-install windows.
However, I know nothing about this sort of thing.

So, can anyone please go through the process in clear easy words for a computer numpty like me...?

It is a Dell, so has a recovery disc(partition ?) on the hard drive, the processor is an intel 2 core duo T8100 2.10ghz and there is 4 gb of RAM, and is running vista.
Does the recovery disc mean I can delete everything from the OS (C) drive after copying what I want to keep ? It didn't come with any sort of cd for vista so I assume that is what is on the recovery disc.

Might it be worth getting a copy of wondows 7 if I am doing all the work of re-installing ?

Many thanks for any help !
 
Once you have backed your personal stuff from the C drive the recovery partition will wipe c for you and reinstall the laptop back to the way it was the day you bought it. Of course this means that you should really run windows update as your first task once it reinstalls and make sure the anti virus software etc is up to date. The process is pretty straightforward (even for a computer numpty lol)

Addendum :

The following is from a third party
You can access your Dell’s recovery partition by pressing Ctrl+F11 when the machine is first turned on. The appropriate time to do this is almost immediately after the power button is pressed. A small message is usually displayed that offers to let you enter the BIOS (usually F2 on newer Dells) or go to the boot menu (F8 or F10, I think; it displays the appropriate key to press).
So, assuming that the partition that the recovery image is saved to hasn’t been deleted for some reason, or that the master boot record hasn’t been altered from the factory settings then the Dell System Recovery software will load and you will be given the option to reimage your drive. Their software is basically just a rebranded version of Norton’s Ghost or some other similar imaging software.
Do keep in mind that if you decide to reimage your machine that all of the data that was on your hard drive will be lost. The machine will be exactly as it was when you first purchased it – meaning that any saved documents, movies, music, settings, programs installed by yourself, etc will be gone.
Because of this I would highly recommend that you save anything that needs to be kept to a flash drive or a DVD before you go forward. After the reinstallation of Vista then you can copy the files back to your hard drive (be sure to virus scan them first, it’d be rather foolish to immediately reinfect yourself with the same malware)
If for some reason you’re unable to get to Dell’s recovery software then you can always order a DVD from them that does the same thing.
 
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Make sure you backup first as everything will be gone after a format etc.
 
What a fantastic reply Gary !
Very many thanks for your help - I am just downloading a trial of Acronis True image as from what I have read that seems to be a good thing to use - I was planning on making a copy of my HD using it and saving it to an external HD first, and will then follow your instructions...

Cheers Fella !
 
adri86 - I have never done a backup in my life, so am hoping that by copying everything to a HD I will be doing just that !
I do have all my data copied to a NAS and use raid to store everything on a second internal HD so am not waiting for a disaster to happen....!!
 
The acronis backup is an excellent idea and one I use when reformatting ( belt and braces just to be on the safe side) Acronis is very easy to use as well.
 
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