Clean Install Windows 7 with Gateway Upgrade Discs

Originally back in the fall I just upgraded Windows Vista to 7 while keeping all my programs. Now a number of small issues and a Google redirect virus have caused me to want to reformat the drive and install Windows 7 clean. The problem: the Gateway disc doesn't seem to be bootable. I can install Windows 7 from within Windows, which would put all my old files in this folder called Windows.old (which if I wanted to I could delete since I created an image of my hard drive). My question is how important is it to do a reformat?

I thought of a way to do a reformat in 2 parts. I would create a new partition, install Windows on it, then delete the old partition. Another way to do a reformat would be if the Windows 7 Upgrade disc (with "Gateway" written on it) works on another computer, then I could plug my hard drive into that computer and do a clean install from it.

Another question, does the 3GB Windows 7 upgrade disc have all the necessary files to install Windows 7 or does it have to draw files from a preexisting Vista/Win7 OS?

 

Personally I prefer reformat if you are starting from fresh. I am not sure how gateway did thier disc so I can't answer other than to say they may tell you to use the original recovery to vista then upgrade to Win7.............

 

In my experience the upgrade disc can do a clean install, the key is not to enter the COA Key when installing. Do that after everything is install, then come back and activate the install. You do have 30 days before you have to activate it, plus there is a rearm that you can do twice which give you 120 days before it has to be activated. Did it this way on a lenovo X120e here not to long ago, worked like a charm.

 

I ended up going the easy way out and not doing a clean install. Fortunately the Google redirect virus did not manage to come back! I thought my shutdown problem went away but it actually occurred once so far. Does anyone have the problem where when you attempt to restart or shutdown the computer fails to turn itself off? It was never a fatal problem because the shutting down part is successful, just not the turning off part.

 

i would have just done the complete reformat and clean install not because you have to but after a virus i wouldnt feel at ease ever if i did it the way you did lol but thats just me.

sometimes my 7805 doesnt shut off when i hit restart but ive never had it not shutoff when i hit shutdown. i know there was a reason as to why this happened i just dont remember what it was.

in order to do win 7 fresh installs on a friends comp i use my windows 7 ultimate install disc then just put in their home premium key code when its all done (not during setup but after its all done and im at the desktop) you might have to call microsoft but i usually never have to but even then its a pretty quick process.

this should work with a upgrade disc but ive never tried it with it since i have win 7 ultimate. i do have the upgrade disc but its still sealed and i havent used it since i bought the ultimate version before they were giving out the upgrades for free.i still got the free upgrade even though i had ultimate because well why not lol.

 

The virus can still be saved in your restore points. Delete all restore points and run a good anti virus, in safe mode, or with avast in boot bode.

 

Right after the install I deleted everything in the Windows.old folder except for the Users folder. I took your advice and ran Super Anti-Spyware and Symantec antivirus and they found a crap load of tracking cookies in both my current Users folder and in the Windows.old User folder and they also found a few viruses in the Windows.old folder. Should I be concerned with tracking cookies?