Prepare For Clean Install of WIN10 OEM DVD on Dual-Boot Win10 & Linux

I want to wipe my HDD and clean-install Win10 (1809) as sole OS. Currently have Win10 and Linux Mint 18.3 as dual boot.

The Win10 partition has been corrupted so I won't be doing a restore or upgrade, just a new installation.

I did try Shawn Brink's tutorial on doing a clean install but ran into problems when choosing the partition to put it into. Even though I deleted the previous Win10 partition contents and now shows as unallocated, every partition stated that it had an MBR in it and I couldn't install.

I had to use the Linux "Gparted" command as the old Win10 is non-functional and inaccessible.



QUESTION: does the new Win10 DVD include a MBR as part of the installation process? I'm thinking back to when I built a PC from scratch and installed a HDD and then installed Win17 without any difficulties.

Suggestions more than welcome. Thanks.

dalchina said:

Does your MBO support MBR only, or both MBR and UEFI, or only UEFI?
If it only supports MBR, then that's what you have to use. But if UEFI, that would be preferable.
So the first step would be to define which sort of installation you can create, and which you want - MBR/legacy BIOS or the newer UEFI/GPT disk format.

Can't determine if the MBO supports UEFI, looked through the original purchase info from 2011 and don't see any references for it. Not sure if I can use a Linux command to see if it does. I read your GPT link and yeah, I'd much prefer UEFI/GPT disk format.

For interest: GPT vs MBR - and the advantages of GPT:
What’s the Difference Between GPT and MBR When Partitioning a Drive?

I'm unsure what you mean about a Win 10 DVD. Is this one you've created from an iso you've downloaded? Do you have one or are you just recalling Win 7 days?

Clarification: I bought a new, OEM Windows 10 DVD with product key in sealed envelope. It shows "1809" for the build. I did this rather than doing the download, ISO, and other things plus also wanted a DVD source media if I have to use it again. When I tried to install it, it looked exactly like Shawn Brink's installation guide. As mentioned, I got stopped at the "choose unallocated partition" and then the MBR roadblocks.

Now, if you want to download build 1809 (rather than 1903, the latest) you could use e.g. Heido iso downloader (search for it). And you could create a bootable flash drive.

Build 1809 is on the DVD, I've read a lot about upgrading from 1809 to 1903 but like to avoid jumping onto the bleeding edge too soon.

If you choose to use build 1903, it's much easier - Microsoft Media Creation tool (just search for it). You can create a bootable flash drive using that on another PC (same 'bitness' and base language).

I think I can upgrade to 1903 without the MCT as Win10 includes the upgrade tool?

Note that you do have the option of formatting the disk as part of the installation procedure.

Will the installation routine from the DVD include permission to delete the entire drive through the formatting choice?
- as you have noted, all existing OS-related partitions must be deleted, and the OS installed to unallocated space. (You can choose to retain data partitions you have created yourself).

Hopefully I was able to "intelligently" (LOL) explain what I have so far and my end point objective. Please point out any other critical things based on the above notations.

Cheers, and have a good evening.
Bob

Edited to add MOBO info (found the Linux command for it):

bobbypee@bobbypee-FX6850 ~ $ dmidecode -t baseboard
# dmidecode 3.0
/sys/firmware/dmi/tables/smbios_entry_point: Permission denied
Scanning /dev/mem for entry point.
/dev/mem: Permission denied
bobbypee@bobbypee-FX6850 ~ $ sudo dmidecode -t baseboard
[sudo] password for bobbypee:
# dmidecode 3.0
Getting SMBIOS data from sysfs.
SMBIOS 2.6 present.

Handle 0x0002, DMI type 2, 15 bytes
Base Board Information
Manufacturer: Gateway
Product Name: FX6850
Version:
Serial Number:
Asset Tag: To be filled by O.E.M.
Features:
Board is a hosting board
Board is replaceable
Location In Chassis: To be filled by O.E.M.
Chassis Handle: 0x0003
Type: Motherboard
Contained Object Handles: 0

Handle 0x0024, DMI type 10, 6 bytes
On Board Device Information
Type: Video
Status: Enabled
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics

Handle 0x0025, DMI type 10, 6 bytes
On Board Device Information
Type: Ethernet
Status: Enabled
Description: Intel(R) 82579V Gigabit Network Connection

Handle 0x0026, DMI type 10, 6 bytes
On Board Device Information
Type: Sound
Status: Enabled
Description: Realtek High Definition Audio

Handle 0x0027, DMI type 10, 6 bytes
On Board Device Information
Type: SATA Controller
Status: Enabled
Description: Intel(R) 6 Series SATA AHCI Controller (Desktop)

Handle 0x0036, DMI type 41, 11 bytes
Onboard Device
Reference Designation: Intel(R) HD Graphics
Type: Video
Status: Enabled
Type Instance: 1
Bus Address: f000:00:02.0

Handle 0x0037, DMI type 41, 11 bytes
Onboard Device
Reference Designation: Intel(R) 82579V Gigabit Network Connection
Type: Ethernet
Status: Enabled
Type Instance: 1
Bus Address: f000:00:19.0

Handle 0x0038, DMI type 41, 11 bytes
Onboard Device
Reference Designation: Realtek High Definition Audio
Type: Sound
Status: Enabled
Type Instance: 1
Bus Address: f000:00:1b.0

Handle 0x0039, DMI type 41, 11 bytes
Onboard Device
Reference Designation: Intel(R) 6 Series SATA AHCI Controller (Desktop)
Type: SATA Controller
Status: Enabled
Type Instance: 1
Bus Address: f000:00:1f.2

Doesn't look too helpful...

dalchina said:

I think your fundamental problem may be that you are confusing unallocated space in an existing partition with unallocated space not allocated to a partition or used by one.

A clean installation is to completely unallocated empty space on the disk. Not to an existing partition.

You should delete any existing partitions related to Windows installations. If you don't want any of the remain partitions- delete them. Your screenshot and comment indicate you haven't. That is an option around step 13 of the tutorial (screenshot).

Unless your new license gives you a higher edition of Windows than you would have had by upgrading (using your exisiting license) or it wsa retail (transferable) rather than OEM there was no point in buying it.

I am also concerned that you say it's a OEM license.

Further, downloading an iso and burning it to a DVD gives you a bootable Win 10 install DVD.
(Or you can create a bootable flash drive).

As you know, builds move on. Naturally the questioin arises whether your 2011 or so hardware will fully support Win 10 - many people do this, effectively operating way out of spec. with no certainty of success- but for most, it works. Some have subtle issues with older hardware.

I can't use an existing license to upgrade as the Win10 on my PC is totally trashed and inaccessible. As I've been saying, I want to do a new, clean install using this DVD:



Re my hardware, I was running Win10 without any issues until an upgrade trashed it two years ago, so I'm reasonably confident that it will run fine on the PC.

Boot from the DVD. When you get to the first screen, press shift+F10 to open a command prompt. Then:
diskpart
list disk
select disk 0 <- 0 should be the internal drive you want to install to.
clean <- this will erase the disk selected above!
convert mbr
Exit
Exit

Then continue with your install.

dalchina said:

Thank you for your reply.

I hope I have addressed the issue of why your attempt to install failed- you make no mention of what is really the most important point.

Turning to the issue of reusing your existing license: you don't have to have a working Win 7 or whatever installation. See:
Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First

Turning to the issue of upgrading builds of Win 10: a few have found that whilst, say, build 1709 works without problems, upgrading to build 1803, say, is either not possible (significant problem), or needs special measures. A cautionary note therefore.

Thanks for your assistance. BTW, I did mention that I followed the tutorial you listed above. Cheers

- - - Updated - - -

NavyLCDR said:

Boot from the DVD. When you get to the first screen, press shift+F10 to open a command prompt. Then:
diskpart
list disk
select disk 0 <- 0 should be the internal drive you want to install to.
clean <- this will erase the disk selected above!
convert mbr
Exit
Exit

Then continue with your install.

Thanks, LCDR. Will try it tomorrow. Have had enough "fun" with Linux and Windows today! Cheers, Bob CMSgt, USAF (Ret)

This tutorial has text and images to check the settings:
Check BIOS or UEFI Firmware Version in Windows 10


Open the BIOS to see whether there are options for:
UEFI native
UEFI hybrid with CSM
Legacy