Format, Clean install, all from the RC with the upgrade?

Ok I am kinda a noob at reinstalling OSes, I have only reinstalled vista twice and upgraded to the RC once. I have been looking for some help to all my questions but alas, I become more and more confused.

I'm on 64 bit windows 7 RC, I have Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade.
I want to clean install it.
Do I have to reinstall the vista cd that came with my computer first?
or is there a way to do it from the RC?

Before I clean install it I want to make sure there is NOTHING on my computer from the old windows (programs and files), This is what I call a format? I don't want to delete the 4 partitions that came with the computer because I have no idea how to reorganize the hard drives.

Here is a picture of my partitions, 2 different 250 gig hard drives:


I really don't know where to start to do all this,
Do I have to boot from the disk to format the drives? Do I have to reinstall vista before I can clean install in order to get the activation key to work?

Rep + to the people that help me
Thank you very much in adnvance

 

I have read posts from other members who claim to have used upgrade disks with Win7 RC so I would try that first. Yes you should boot to install disk first and everything will be simple and self explanatory.

 

Ok, how exactly do I have to boot into the disc? Do I restart my computer and go into the BIOs and find boot from disc? I think thats how I remember doing it in the past....It's been a long time since I have done this.....

 

On mine there is F12 boot options menu at startup BIOS splash screen, just select DVD. You can also go into BIOS like you say and select BOOT and move the DVD drive to the top of the order. Using the boot options menu rather than BIOS boot options is a one time thing thats why I use that one. Not really a big deal though you can always go back into BIOS later and select whichever HDD to be at the top of the boot order.

 

I'm on my netbook right now, my other laptop that I'm installing windows 7 is next to me. I'm at the part of the installation where it wants you to pick where to install windows 7. I want to install it on my c: partition where windows 7 RC is at now, If I format this first will I be allowed to clean install with the upgrade? Or should I just install it as it is and have all my old files saved in "Windows.old"

If I do the latter of the 2 will it really be a clean install, can my old windows interfere with my new windows?

 

I would format and do the clean install. If something wasn't right the disk wouldn't offer the option.

 

Ok I installed Windows 7
Activated it and it said it was activated apparently,
my internet works and which is kinda weird because usually don't you have to install the drivers tha can with the computer first?
well anyway after I activated it windows explorer stopped working and I had to hard shutdown
I'm not sure what to do know, I can't seem to get my disc tray to open so I can get the w7 disc out and I don't know if the drivers are installed yet........
What did ya'll do after installing windows 7?