Question about clean install on laptop with a recovery partition

Sorry if this has been asked a million times already, but I couldn't find a clear answer.

I have ordered my first laptop (Asus N73JN), and I have no experience with pre-loaded OSes and recovery discs/partitions, etc.

I want to do a clean install of Windows 7 using this guide.

Before reformatting/reinstalling, I do plan on making recovery discs. I want to create a partition just for Windows & programs (say, 40GB), and leave the rest of the HDD for data, however I do not want to delete the (hidden?) recovery partition. i.e. by the time I am finished, there should be three partitions, one for Win 7, one for data, and the recovery partition.

During the format/partition/install process, will it be possible for me to unintentionally format the recovery partition?

That said, should I not bother keeping the recovery partition? And if not, is it a simple matter to delete it during Win 7 install?

 

Thanks for posting this question. I have a similar situation. I'm looking forward to seeing the responses as they roll in!

 

I plannig of clean istall of Windows 7 in near future and this question was on my mind also

Another question about recovery partition -- can we have a clean windows 7 recovery partition instead of oem bloated one? If we can, any guidance would be appreciated.

 

If you use a stock Win7 install dvd to delete the existing C: partition and create your new one, you would have to explicitly tell the installer to delete the recovery partition as well for it to be wiped out. If you are careful not to do this, you will be fine.

Gary

 

The recovery partition will still be there, yes, but it may become impossible to access or, if you can still access it, it might not work. This is due to the fact that the Windows installer will replace the master boot record, and may change the partition tables.

I had this problem on an Acer netbook, I re-installed XP from scratch but although I was able to get into the recovery partition using GRUB (the normal key command was broken by the Windows install), it would not recognize the rest of the disc and would not even attempt to restore the system.

 

... if I do what I think I want to do (i.e. leave the recovery partition alone, reformat the existing OS partition, and create a new partition so that I have three in total), then I will not be able to actually use recovery partition to do a factory restore?

If this is the case, does it make more sense to just delete/reformat the recovery partition (which, I suppose, I could use as my new OS partition, leaving the rest of the HD for data)?

How about this? If, instead of creating an extra partition (for a total of three), I just clean install Win 7 in its existing partition, will the recovery partition still work?

Ultimately, what I am trying to achieve is a way to back up the recovery process in the not-totally-impossible event that I muck up my laptop ... so I wanted to burn the recovery DVDs, and maintain the recovery partition. I suppose I could just save the recovery DVD ISOs on the hard drive, but I wanted two separate alternatives ... 'cause if I muck up making the recovery DVD ISOs, then the saved ISOs and the discs are useless.

But now that I write this all out, maybe I'm just overthinking this? I mean, if something goes wrong, I can just clean install the OS and download all the relevant apps and drivers from the ASUS website. I'm a big boy ... I don't need the manufacturer to hold my hand ... right? I mean, as long as deleting the recovery partition doesn't void my warranty ... hmm.

 

I would just delete the patition after you make a set of recovery dvd's. You're not going to be able to use that recovery partition after you are done anyway.. If you ever have to send it in for whatever reason they'll tell you to formAt using the dvd's anyway. Delete all and install~

 

Unless you're really short on drive capacity, leave it alone, or at least make a copy of it on a separate drive. DVDs get mucked up, lost, and optical drives can die. There are other means of recovery, but basically, if you're asking how to do a recovery/clean install, it's too soon to be asking the question.

 

Well ... I think I'm going to play around for a few days without reformatting, and when I do, I'll keep the recovery partition ... for now.

Thanks for the advice, guys!

 

I own an ASUS Z7000. The introductory threads couldn't help and I hope my query is justified, as this seems an appropriate topic to ask without creating a new one.
Situation:
- no working XP installation
- no recovery disk available
- booting from an XP install kit not possible (I assume, it requires an ASUS or the Z7000 recovery CD)
- pressing F9 at the start to restore from the recovery partition doesn't work (the recovery partition must be intact, as the original XP Home was on and the MBR must be fine)
Would you recommend
a) to find an image of a recovery disk or
b) a way around the request to insert original recovery media?
Thank you.