Windows 7 clean install

[Tinkerpuss]

I curently use Vista and pre-ordered Windows 7 at a highly discounted price before an upgrade option was available so I have to do a clean install which I have never done before. I know how to back up my documents, pictures, music etc onto DVD's but I assume this does not erase the information from my hard drive.
When I install the Windows 7 disc, does this clear the hard drive of all the information left on it or have I got the total concept all wrong?

[rojash]

"When I install the Windows 7 disc, does this clear the hard drive of all the information left on it "
When you run the install it may well show your Vista partition. If so, just delete it, recreate it, and continue.

[VHG]

Search the internet for "clean install of Windows 7" there are quite a few sites

Here is one (I have not checked it through to see if it is all correct)

http://pcsupport.abou...an-install-part-1.htm

[VHG]

Here is another one

http://www.winsupersi...in7/clean_install.asp

[VHG]

Probably the most important thing about a clean install is that you need to boot from the Windows DVD *BEFORE* it boots from the hard disk.

To do this you normally need to go into the BIOS of your PC and change the boot order so the CD/DVD drive is BEFORE the hard disk. Then save you changes. Then turn off your PC (with DVD still in drive).

Then turn on your computer, the PC will look at the DVD drive to see if there is bootable media in there (which tere will be) and you get a message on the screen saying (press any key to boot from DVD".

Press any letter on the keyboard and the PC should boot from the DVD and the install should start.

When prompted DELETE the partition, create a new one, then format the drive. This will delete EVERYTHING off the drive.

Once this is done the install should continue

[rojash]

Bur are you certain that you need to do a clean install? When I booted with my WIn 7 Disk it offered the opportunity to upgrade. I could be wrong, but I'm fairly certain that you can use the full version to upgrade from Vista. (If it does offer an upgrade, I believe you need to boot back into Vista, then put the Win 7 disk in and let it auto-run).