P-6831, delete recovery partition, install clean Vista

Hi, just got my P-6831. I don't think I want any of the crapware that comes pre-installed from the factory. But, before I go deleting stuff, I want to make sure I do it the right way.

Basically, I want to install a clean copy of Vista 32-bit with the CD that came with the laptop. And, I want to also delete the hidden recovery partition.

What is the best way to do this, without losing any of the drivers and applications? Is the DVD I create with the "Gateway Recovery Center" the equivalent of the recovery partition? I mean, could I pop in that DVD, and press the F8 key and it would restore my hard drive to the way it came from the factory?

 

No, the recovery cd you create only has all of the applications (aka crapware) that the gateway shipped with and all the drivers, it doesn't backup the OS as well, although there is a clean Vista install on the "Operating System Disk" that comes in the box.

I just delete the recovery partition and used it all for Vista, I've added all of my music and games (including Crysis) and still have about 140 GB left

 

Ok, but if I create the recovery disc, I would be able to install all of the original apps and drivers AFTER I install the clean copy of Vista, right?

I have DVD-RW discs, would those work with the recovery center? Edit: Nope, the recovery center will not accept my DVD-RW dics. I burned an ISO file. What program should I use to burn the ISO to my disc? I don't see a disc burning program on the Start menu.

 

Just follow the instructions in your Gateway manual for creating Vista Recovery Disks. I used a single DVD -R. Then you can reformat the drive, install Vista, and use the recovery disk to build your drivers. You can also install any of the apps you want, or none of them. Pretty flexible.

If you are going to build a dual boot with XP, I suggest you install Vista first, and then proceed to the XP install. Here is a good resource for that: http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_vista_and_xp_with_vista_installed_first__the_stepbystep_guide.htm

 

I used the recovery center to make an ISO file, then I burned the image to my DVD-RW using ISO Recorder.

I brought the DVD disc over to my custom desktop rig (running Vista) and popped it in. When I double click to open it up, it gives this error:



What am I doing wrong?

 

Yes, you can reuse the disk to install all of your drivers and apps onto the clean install

Use Power2Go to burn the ISO, it was one of the programs that came with your laptop, unless you uninstalled it

 

Another way is when you install the Clean install disk it asks if you want to save a file called Windows.old, save this and it is an exact copy of your old operating system, later you can pick the stuff you might want to keep from this file.

 

Okay, I burned it with the Power2Go app, and took it over to my desktop rig. Now Autoplay works and I can see all of the apps and drivers.

Question about the Windows.old. How would that be useful? I mean, it wouldn't have any of the actual installers for the original programs and drivers. It just has the files themselves, scattered about within the directories and sub-directories of the Windows.old folder.