Your Computer will post (These screens will vary from manufacturer images to the
text shown below).
After Windows passes the initial Post screens, Windows 7 will begin to load as
the hard drive is Blank, this may take sometime.
Windows 7 will now start the install Procedure.
First you need to select your language, then Time and currency...
Next set your Keyboard Language. This may have changed correctly when "Time and
Currency" option was selected, if not change as needed. Click "Next£ to
continue.
Your Keyboard input method will change to the most common used under the "Time
and currency" selected, you can change this now if need be.
Once happy with your selection click on "Next" to continue
Now the "Install Windows 7" screen will appear, Click on "Install now" to
continue.
NOTE: The Repair options on this page are covered in
other guides available in the
Windows 7 section of
www.windowsreinstall.com
Setup will begin...
This is were "Part1" of the install officially starts.. You will now see the bar
pictured below at the bottom of the screen. It has no relevance to "Time" in
general. It moves fast sometimes, slow other times, If you insist on watching it
then don't be worried if it stays in any particular spot for long periods of
time.
Now the "License agreement".....
....read them click on "I accept the License terms", then click "Next" to
continue. If you don't agree then this is as far as you can go :(
Now the "Type of installation". Click on "Custom (Advanced) to continue..
Hard drive setup comes next. Click next for "Automatic Harddrive setup
using full capacity", otherwise click on
"Drive Options" to configure the drive yourself.
NOTE: If hard drive cannot be seen then return to
Windows 7 main page and follow the
"No HDD (No hard drive)" instructions
Drive Options Menu: Now click on "New"
Drive Options Menu: Select the size you want the partition to be (Or
manually type it in, in the box). Then click "Apply" to continue.
NOTE: Remember Windows 7 needs 16GB of space to operate in.
Drive Options Menu: Windows warns that it may need to create a few
partitions for the system, Click "OK" to continue.
Drive Options Menu: Setting the drive up may take a few moments.
Drive Options Menu: The partitions are now setup, select the partition
that says "Primary" underneath "Type" and click on "Format" to
finalize the hard drives setup.
NOTE: There are now two partitions, Windows 7 created the first "Disk 0
Partition 1" by itself for Windows files. "Disk 0 Partition 2" is the one
you
wanted to configure, and its the only one you should format, and any others you
setup after this stage of course.
You will be warned about the format, all data will be lost that's on this drive, click "OK" to continue.
Now the "Where do you want Windows to go question" select the drive you created
("Disk 0 Partition 2" in my case), the same drive that you formated in the
previous step....
Once selected click "Next" to begin the install of Windows 7.
END OF PART 1
Windows will now begin copying files
Once done it will begin expanding the "Quite quickly copied files"
and expand....
Expand a bit more....
Still expanding, so i took another screen shot....
At last the files are "Expanded", now for installing features, this bit was
quite quick....
Thankfully no updates downloaded, so on we move :)
A restart, wait 10 seconds or like me click "Restart" to reclaim these precious
moments back....
The computer will restart and post again.
Now "Press any key" boot menu. Do not do this as it will only start the install
from the beginning again. Wait the 10 seconds that it appears on screen and
resist the temptation...
Windows 7 is now "Starting Windows".....
and now Windows sets up the Registry
Now another screen appears, setup is "Starting Windows 7's" services....
Setup now completes the installation....
and once again a "Restart" is needed....
Same as above, do not press a key as installation will begin again, requiring
you to reboot to get back to this screen.
"Windows is starting" again......
Setup now prepares the system for "First use"....
The first time I have needed to do anything in almost 45 minutes, Account and
computer name is required....
Fill these in and click next to continue....
Next the all important password setting screen, leave bank and click next to
continue without one, otherwise....
....fill in the password box, retype to confirm, and leave yourself a hint
in case it become forgotten. Click "Next to continue.
You will now need your Windows "Product Key". This will be on the disk
packaging Provided with your CD's/DVD's, or from Microsoft's website just before
downloading. The Starter Product key will be 25 digits long and will contain letters and
numbers.
Input key (Dashes will be added automatically), "Automatically activate Windows
when online" option is selected by default, deselect if you wish, and then click
next to continue.
Now the built in Windows Protection modes. We would recommend the top option
"Use Recommended settings", this will enable updates to be downloaded and
installed, click on your selection too continue.
Now you must review your time and date settings
Change your time zone to your present location. If all is OK or once done then click on
"Next" to continue...
Now your Network configuration, if you want to setup the new "homegroup" network
system for easy to configure, password Starter Editiontected configuration, then use this
option.
If you want a standard network setup then use "Work
Network", allowing you to browse and see other computers
Anywhere
that's public, that would be a risk to your files and security, select "Public
Network"
Windows 7 setup will now connect to your network , and setup required settings,
depending on your choice in the previous memory....
HOME NETWORK (WIRED) OPTION: The "Homegroup" option in "Home networking"
allows you to select what you want to share, and also Provides a password, for others to access. Note this password
down as its needed for others to get access to your network.
Users of Media center, Vista Premium (And above), and XBOX 360 will be familiar
with this type of setup.
HOME NETWORK (WIRED) OPTION: You can of course skip this now and setup later, or make selections, note
password and press "Next" to continue.
Windows 7 will now finalize your settings
Windows
Welcomes you..
Prepare the desktop
Browser customisations will install
and finally you are there. Windows 7 installed without hitch, any updates will
now install. Remember though on
next reboot you will be Prompted for a password (If you setup one), so don't
forget it as I successfully managed to do...
If you are lucky you will have no drivers to install, but
chances are the next step will be to install them. Check out device manager
for unknown devices, likely items are Network Cards, Sound Cards, Printers,
Scanners, Graphics Cards, Digital Cameras, etc.
Also installing anti-virus software, spyware software and
possibly a 3rd party Firewall are a must for any computer.
Windows Update is very successful in finding many drivers,
so try running it for a few hours, and after a few boots you may find all
items installed and ready for use
