Ok can a newb like me install Windows 7 without outside help?

[Beefcake]

Hey guys, I'm wondering if a guy like me who has limited computer experience can install Windows 7. The reason I ask is I have a friend that built my monster machine and installed the Windows 7 RC on it, however, my friend said he would install Windows 7 when I got it but that he would copy all my data and backup my stuff. The problem is I don't want this, I want a fresh install so I can start from a clean slate but I'm afraid my friend will do what he wants even though it's not his computer. (I paid him quite a bit to build it)

So should I attempt to do it myself (I want to learn anyway) and if so what do I need to have on hand?

[1701E]

To install a clean-slate you'll need:

>Computer
>Windows 7 CD/DVD
>Windows 7 Serial
>Time

That's it.  Clean-Slate Set-up in this walkthrough will erase any and all data on any and all HDDs

Put the disc in and boot from it (when the computer is starting you should see 'Boot from disc, press any key...') and follow instructions.  Basically what you'll get is:

*Windows Blue loading screen*
*Few instructions after a few minutes*
*Please select Where to install Windows 7; Gives list of Partitions/Hard Drives*
*Select one at a time and hit *Erase* Note that once you Erase them it will be difficult to recover any data, typically takes paying for a program that may not work
*Select the Hard Drive (should be only 1 called something like 'WD###  -HDD size-' and hit 'Format'*  If you want 2 partitions don't Format it all as 1 big thing I use a 240GB/50GB/12.5GB set-up, W7/Music/Downloads
*Follow some more instructions til finished*

So long as you read the instructions, it's not hard.
This is a very basic guide, I have only installed W7 twice and I forgot exactly how within 2 days.

[Beefcake]

Thanks, I've already backed up all my data so I'm not worried about losing anything. What concerned me was drivers for my sound and video card, plus my friend made it sound like I needed the BIOS install discs for my MB and other things, which I have no clue about.

[Gr8pape]

If you have the important docs. you want backed up you can go online and get any drivers you should need, if it is a recent build though why don't you have the drivers that came with the hardware?

[Reschke]

Just had to do it again yesterday since I had a hard drive crash like a shot duck. From start to finish and running it only took me about 25 minutes with a full installation.

[BaldEagl]

Just boot from the Windows 7 CD and follow the prompts.  It's so simple a caveman can do it.

After your done go to your motherboard, sound card and video card manufacturer's web sites and download the newest motherboard, sound and video drivers and install them.  There's no reason to flash the BIOS as it's not touched by the Windows install.

[Chalenge]

CLEAN INSTALL: (scroll down to method #3)

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

[guncrasher]

Latest drivers are downloaded automatIcally with win7 64 bit.  I never had to zsearch for anything.

semp

[TequilaChaser]

Latest drivers are downloaded automatIcally with win7 64 bit.  I never had to zsearch for anything.

semp

did it automatically install your MB drivers?

like for the North Bridge/South Bridge, USB  drivers, MB/processor drivers, OnBoard Sound card driver, On Board LAN driver, SATA Controller Drivers, RAID Drivers ( if used )..etc.....

reason I ask, is sometimes one might need a specific driver for their MB and if it is not signed by MS then it is not gonna load it, to where if one goes to their Components Manufacturer's website ( or Components CD ) they can have what works for their board.....or Video Card, or PCI Sound Card, etc.....

example...... I installed windows 7 on my Mom's PC...it picked everything up, all worked fine...but it IMPROVED when I went and loaded her MB drivers for her Motherboard.......

YMMV


edit: as BaldEagl has posted... needing to FLASH one's BIOS is on a  "only if Need to" basis........ like possible PC performance increase, or the existing BIOS might have an issue with certian PC components, or for example, if I wanted to upgrade to an AM3 processor, my ASUS MB needs an updated BIOS instaled/flashed...to where right now it will only accept AM2 & AM2+ processors with the current BIOS I am using......

hope this helps

[guncrasher]

K all except the mobo drivers those I updated manually.  all the sound card, video card, sata controller, raid, on board lan, wireless keyboard, wireless mouse they were all done automatically.  but if you read again the subject line, I just wanted to simplify it for him.  me myself I cannot tell the north bridge from the south bridge or have any idea what they're used for.  ok I have an idea, but for beginners like me yes win7 will automatically update all drivers  .   any other driver that dont load either we dont need or we dont know we need.

Semp

[Beefcake]

Well I just completed the bulk of my Windows 7 installation. Only took about 30 minutes and it downloaded everything but my sound and MB drivers. Now I installed my sound drivers manually, however, when it comes to the motherboard I have no idea what I'm supposed to download.

I have a Gigabyte motherboard model ga-ma790x-ud4p but when I goto their website and enter the info it gives me several things to choose from, and I have no idea which one I need.

Here's a shortcut to the page, any help would be great.
http://www.gigabyte.us/Support/Motherboard/Driver_Model.aspx?ProductID=3031&ost=windows%3Csup%3E%C2%AE%3C%2fsup%3E+xp+64bit#anchor_os

[guncrasher]

What exactly are you trying to update?  is it your bios? or you're not sure.

semp

[BaldEagl]

From the page you linked go to the driver page and you'll need these:

Audio - If you're using onboard audio you need this.  If you have a seperate sound card you don't.

Chipset / SATA RAID - Unless you have multiple hard drives in a RAID array you don't need that part of this but you do need the chipset driver.

LAN - You need this if you are using onboard LAN.  If you have a seperate Nic card you don't need it.

[SNO]

You should have got the motherboard disc from your friend who built your machine, put that in and install all the motherboard drivers from there.

[TequilaChaser]

I am assuming you are using Windows 7 64 bit  ( your link you posted was for the Windows XP 64 bit  )

Windows 7 64 bit Gigabyte MB drivers Page:
http://www.gigabyte.us/Support/Motherboard/Driver_Model.aspx?ProductID=3031&ost=windows+7+64bit#anchor_os

download the following:
AUDIO:
Realtek Function driver for Realtek Azalia audio chip

Chipset / SATA Raid:
AMD Chipset Driver (include chipset\sata raid driver)

LAN:
Realtek LAN Driver


optional Drivers : ( these should not be required, and are optional )
LAN:
Realtek Ethernet Diagnostic Utility

SATA Raid:
GIGABYTE SATA2 RAID Driver

I did not post links, just look under each section, and download & install the ones I listed above, with the exact same Driver Name on the GIGABYTE Support page weblink I posted at the top of my post...

hope this helps.......

NOTE: it is possible that when installing Windows 7, that it already installed some of these drivers for you...... this is a 50/50 ordeal.....

I agree with SNO's comment as well