I want to do a clean Vista install on the above notebook, and if the time comes, restore the setup (OS) to the default config with minimal effort. Read a lot of threads on how to do this, but just need some help/advice on the following.
Currently the HDD partitioned as:
110MB (EISA Config), FAT16 Pri
10GB, RECOVERY (D:\), NTFS Pri
136GB, OS (C:\), NTFS Pri Act
2.5GB MEDIADIRECT, FAT32
Discs supplied with laptop: Vista Reinstall DVD, Dell Drivers & Utilities, Roxio, Dell MediaDirect
What I want is to do a clean Vista install to the OS (C:\) partition (formatting it), but still keep the other partitions in case I have to resell my notebook. My main concern is not being able to restore the factory image back to C:\.
For restoring here's what I understand from what I have read, or figuring out. Ctrl+F11 doesn't work for me, but what does work is if I hit F8, and choose the Repair option, which then starts Dells Factory Image Restore program.
1)Does this mean that if I format OS (C:\) and do a clean install I wont get that Repair option? (looks like a custom addition to the boot options to me)
2)Will doing a clean install mess (add/delete) anything to the other partitions?
3)Using Ghost to backup the OS (C:\) partition only is sufficient enough to backup Vista with its current config? Mean if i do a clean install, then later restore the Ghost image, I will get back to what it was before the clean install?
Currently the HDD partitioned as:
110MB (EISA Config), FAT16 Pri
10GB, RECOVERY (D:\), NTFS Pri
136GB, OS (C:\), NTFS Pri Act
2.5GB MEDIADIRECT, FAT32
Discs supplied with laptop: Vista Reinstall DVD, Dell Drivers & Utilities, Roxio, Dell MediaDirect
What I want is to do a clean Vista install to the OS (C:\) partition (formatting it), but still keep the other partitions in case I have to resell my notebook. My main concern is not being able to restore the factory image back to C:\.
For restoring here's what I understand from what I have read, or figuring out. Ctrl+F11 doesn't work for me, but what does work is if I hit F8, and choose the Repair option, which then starts Dells Factory Image Restore program.
1)Does this mean that if I format OS (C:\) and do a clean install I wont get that Repair option? (looks like a custom addition to the boot options to me)
2)Will doing a clean install mess (add/delete) anything to the other partitions?
3)Using Ghost to backup the OS (C:\) partition only is sufficient enough to backup Vista with its current config? Mean if i do a clean install, then later restore the Ghost image, I will get back to what it was before the clean install?
