Best way to keep my data while I re-install

uber_unit

Hey folks. I am looking to do a complete reformat and re-install of
Vista x32 on my Inspiron 1721 lappy. I have around 60Gb of stuff I
would like to keep, but I'd rather an alternative method of keeping it
instead of shoving it all on to DVDs. I don't have an external HDD so I
was wondering whether I can create a partition and whack it on there,
then format and re-install on to C:\. Also, I have a "Recovery"
partition on D:\, so should I leave this alone or get rid of it? I'm
guessing that Vista creates a new one for each installation, but feel I
should be better advised before I do anything. Much appreciation to
this forum and for any help.


--
uber_unit

Malke

uber_unit wrote:

>
> Hey folks. I am looking to do a complete reformat and re-install of
> Vista x32 on my Inspiron 1721 lappy. I have around 60Gb of stuff I
> would like to keep, but I'd rather an alternative method of keeping it
> instead of shoving it all on to DVDs. I don't have an external HDD so I
> was wondering whether I can create a partition and whack it on there,
> then format and re-install on to C:\. Also, I have a "Recovery"
> partition on D:\, so should I leave this alone or get rid of it? I'm
> guessing that Vista creates a new one for each installation, but feel I
> should be better advised before I do anything. Much appreciation to
> this forum and for any help.
>
>
1. Best solution - buy an external hard drive. You can use this for backup
after your reinstallation project is over. Purchasing Acronis True Image
and imaging your new install is a great idea. Store the image on the
external hard drive.

2. Yes, you could create a second partition and manually install your
operating system onto the first one (works only if you don't go the
Recovery route) but then you'd have to get rid of your second partition,
join it to the first one, taking the chance that something would go wrong.

3. Since you have a Recovery partition - and yes, you should leave this
alone! - you are better off getting the external drive and simply using the
Recovery method instead of manually installing Vista. The Recovery method
(refer to your Dell manual or their website for exact instructions) will
return the computer to factory condition so any extra partitions you made
will be gone afterwards.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ -

uber_unit

Thank you Malke, I appreciate your advice. I haven't quite cut my teeth
with Vista yet so I'm not up on the new features. The Recovery method
sounds good, but my main reason for re-installing would be to rid my
hard drive of the bloat-ware that Dell packed with their install. With
that said, I would guess that going the recovery route would just start
me back to where I was when it arrived, with all the bloat-ware
included. What do you think?


--
uber_unit

Malke

uber_unit wrote:

>
> Thank you Malke, I appreciate your advice. I haven't quite cut my teeth
> with Vista yet so I'm not up on the new features. The Recovery method
> sounds good, but my main reason for re-installing would be to rid my
> hard drive of the bloat-ware that Dell packed with their install. With
> that said, I would guess that going the recovery route would just start
> me back to where I was when it arrived, with all the bloat-ware
> included. What do you think?
>
>

Good gracious, you don't need to do a clean install for that. Just go to
Programs & Features and uninstall what you don't want. Otherwise you'd need
a Vista install disk - not a Recovery DVD because that would just give you
all the cr*p you don't want - and all the Dell drivers. Personally, I can
clean up a new Dell laptop in about 20 minutes. A clean install is going to
take a lot longer, but of course that's your choice.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ -

philo

"uber_unit" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> Hey folks. I am looking to do a complete reformat and re-install of
> Vista x32 on my Inspiron 1721 lappy. I have around 60Gb of stuff I
> would like to keep, but I'd rather an alternative method of keeping it
> instead of shoving it all on to DVDs. I don't have an external HDD so I
> was wondering whether I can create a partition and whack it on there,
> then format and re-install on to C:\. Also, I have a "Recovery"
> partition on D:\, so should I leave this alone or get rid of it? I'm
> guessing that Vista creates a new one for each installation, but feel I
> should be better advised before I do anything. Much appreciation to
> this forum and for any help.
>
>


First off, don't touch your recovery partition.

Though in theory you could shrink your main drive...
create a second partition and put your data there...
that's risky.

Depending on how the manufacturer setup the recovery process,
it may end up re-imaging the remainder the entire drive (less the recovery
partition)
and if that's the case, your data would be gone.

Even if the recovery process does not do that.
there are still other opportunities for error.

Since external drives are cheap...I really think you should get one.

BTW: Why are you reinstalling Vista anyway?

It's usually better to fix the problem than to start over fresh.

uber_unit

thanks for your input Philo. i wanted to start afresh with vista, gain
a good knowledge of what was there to begin with and therefore get a
better knowledge of how to go about cleaning the hard drive when i
wanted to. i have since changed my mind about the clean install. due
to this thread, i've decided that i will read up on the recovery process
and how this can help me in the future. i will invest in an external
hard drive at some point soon - something i wanted in the long run but
not immediately - and generally back-up my static files. thanks guys.
i appreciate your help.


--
uber_unit

philo

"uber_unit" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> thanks for your input Philo. i wanted to start afresh with vista, gain
> a good knowledge of what was there to begin with and therefore get a
> better knowledge of how to go about cleaning the hard drive when i
> wanted to. i have since changed my mind about the clean install. due
> to this thread, i've decided that i will read up on the recovery process
> and how this can help me in the future. i will invest in an external
> hard drive at some point soon - something i wanted in the long run but
> not immediately - and generally back-up my static files. thanks guys.
> i appreciate your help.
>



Ok

thanks for posting back!