Reformatting a Laptop.

[Skyve]

I've been getting constant BSoDs for the last couple months as a result of drivers failing (according to my research). Considering I've just coped with this problem for so many months, there's no way I can track down which driver is causing the **** up. Either way, I want to start fresh again.

So I've formatted over a thousands of times XP builds but I've never reformatted with W7 (My current Laptop). No big deal as I've heard it's even more straight forward than a XP reformat. My dilemma comes from the fact that it's a Laptop. I don't remember (I'd have to look) having any CDs Drivers when I bought my Laptop. So say I do reformat my Laptop, what do I do after for my GPU, Wifi , etc.? Will they be automatically installed or am I going have to have to search for all the drivers on shady websites?

P.S: The Laptop has an actual dedicated GPU, not an on-board one.

[Gaigemasta]

Just install Windows from a cracked iso and it should detect your OEM state, and install "legally"

Then just get your drivers from the manufacturer, such as Asus, Dell, HP, or whoever made your laptop

[Goseki]

If it's new, it shouldn't have much problems looking up and downloading the necessary drivers. I updated an old laptop, deleted all old partitions including the backup drives and upgraded from vista to 7. Had 0 drives. It found almost all the drives. Only ones missing were touchpad, hp quickaccess buttons, and some minor stuff.

[heroo]

just go to a website that's selling the same laptop as you have. look at the extra specifications, the ones that show ALL the hardware. look which manufacturers made ur hardware and download the drivers from their site. some laptop brands even make it easier. toshiba for instance lets you pick what type of laptop you bought and offers all drivers for that laptop on their site. maybe your laptop manufacturer also offers that service.

[Razorhead]

If it's new, it shouldn't have much problems looking up and downloading the necessary drivers. I updated an old laptop, deleted all old partitions including the backup drives and upgraded from vista to 7. Had 0 drives. It found almost all the drives. Only ones missing were touchpad, hp quickaccess buttons, and some minor stuff.

Nope, this is were most people make mistakes.
It's true that w7 has a lot of drivers & recognises most devices. But the windows drivers NEVER
offer the same amount of functionality/speed as when installing the full/latest drivers!

Before reinstalling w7:
Go the your laptop manufacturer's website & search for your laptop & download all the drivers
Most websites offer u the choice of which OS u are using.
Some laptops are made with different components (eg. intel wireless, ralink wireless, atheros wireless)
The easy way is to check which driver is installed BEFORE formatting. (don't forget to copy them to a USB-stick )
Otherwise u'll have to start checking the hardware id's.

When reinstalling w7:
choose language, keyboardlayout,...
When u get to the page that asks on which partition w7 should be installed: delete ALL partitions
And then choose to install it on the entire disk or create 1 partition for windows & then another partition for downloads or such (I never create 2 partitions if the disk isn't 500gb or more)
Then let it run
Later on it will ask for a username (+ password), computername, timezone + current time & date

After reinstalling w7:
Make sure to install all drivers!
Even if a device is recognised by w7, installing the actual driver is ALWAYS better!
intel or amd chipset drivers, graka drivers (even if it's intel onboard), sound (not installing sound driver (eg realtek) will most likely cause very quite sounds/music),...
Most laptops also have onscreendisplay drivers (shows an icon when using Fn keys), touchpad drivers, sometimes fingerprint drivers or cardreader drivers, ...

When it comes to laptops: the drivers on the website should be enough especially if u aren't used to reinstalling w7 & drivers.

Otherwise, go to each manufacterer's website for the latest drivers.
Careful, I have had some problems with newer drivers on laptops because of incompatibility ><

That's pretty much it

[Skyve]

Got it done, thanks everyone.

First I had to restore it to Factory default which actually resetted it to Vista (ew) since that was the native OS (Laptop came with Free W7 upgrade). Then had to upgrade to W7, boot from my Upgrade disk and delete my old partitions. Good thing is now I finally managed to merge my two 250GBs into one 500GB hard drive.

P.S: Writting this on IE, ewwwwww.

EDIT: ****. Device Manager not detecting my GPU.

[Shomari]

now install Litestep.

[Skyve]

Fixed. Simply had to go on the nVidia website.

now install Litestep.

And yes, was planning too. Need to try this amana thingy skin you found.

[Shomari]

Fixed. Simply had to go on the nVidia website.

now install Litestep.

And yes, was planning too. Need to try this amana thingy skin you found.

I can give you my modded one which is much better.
I have two versions so if you want it PM me and I can give you full details on it when I wake up tomorrow.

[Skyve]

Fixed. Simply had to go on the nVidia website.

now install Litestep.

And yes, was planning too. Need to try this amana thingy skin you found.

I can give you my modded one which is much better.
I have two versions so if you want it PM me and I can give you full details on it when I wake up tomorrow.

Yuuus please. Hopefully LiteStep won't be a load of errors this time.

[Majorharper]

Im hijacking your thread, but I have a netbook no CD drive, how do I do that then? I have a Win 7 Security bullshit virus, my laptop is slow all the time, and I just want to get it a new fresh start, but im scared that I'll **** up something and I can't put any cd's in there... It's win7 Starter...

[Shomari]

Im hijacking your thread, but I have a netbook no CD drive, how do I do that then? I have a Win 7 Security bullshit virus, my laptop is slow all the time, and I just want to get it a new fresh start, but im scared that I'll **** up something and I can't put any cd's in there... It's win7 Starter...

Boot off a usb drive.