reformatting hp dv6t

I ordered a dv6t quad today and I was wondering how to reformat it once it arrives. I have never purchased an HP before, but from what I understand, it does not come with an OS installation disc. I only have a history with Dell laptops and custom built PCs, and the last time I ordered a Dell I was given an XP install CD. I want to remove all the preinstalled crap for good, and I see reformatting as the easiest way(I can also partition up my hard drive how I want it at the same time as an added bonus). What is the easiest way to do so, or will I need to buy a new copy of Windows 7?

 

I also plan on getting a new Pavilion in the next day or so, and it comes with Windows 7, so I assume it comes pre-installed or with a disc in the box.

 

its pre-installed, along with all of the other bloatware though

 

Do a minimal system image recovery, seems to be the consensus here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-pavilion-notebooks/578817-removing-bloatware-reinstall-win7.html

It removes all the bloatware, but keeps all the essential drivers/software. To do the MSI, go to HP recovery manager, and select system recovery. The laptop will reboot and boot into recovery. Select minimal system image recovery. (It takes about 20 minutes)

Minimal system image removes all the bloatware, but keeps the drivers, so it's like a fresh install, without the bother of reinstalling the drivers.

 

now that I found out about how to download Windows 7, I might just do that and delete the recovery partitions so I can use that space.

 

Be sure to burn the recovery disks first, just in case something happens so you can restore the factory image should you need too.

 

HP shipped some sort of recovery disc with my dv6tqe-6000. Though, I am not sure if it is just a recovery disk that works off of the recovery partition or if it contains the OEM version of the OS. Either way, I just went ahead and purchased the recovery kit (recovery disk and OS set) from HP for about $15.00USD.

Also, just an opinion here: when you create your recovery disk set, you will be given three options of media to use. Flash drive(1), DVD(4) and DVD/DL(2). My advice is to go with the flash drive. It has to be one of at least 16gig capacity though. It will save you the hassles of swapping disks during the format/install process. You can just pop it in, run the recovery and walk away.

 

yikes, I don't have 4 DVDs or a 16GB flash drive. HP sure likes to make things difficult. I wonder if I could trick it into installing on a 20gb partition on my external hard drive...