Clean install on top of Vista, but did not format

Hi, I was having issues getting Windows 7 onto a fresh SSD (problems with partitioning and formatting drive) so, as recommended in another forum, I did a clean install of Vista on the drive and then did a clean install of Windows 7. The only problem is that I forgot to format the drive prior to doing the clean install of Windows 7. There are a few questions I have now that I'm in this position:

(1) I see that there is a second Windows folder called Windows.old (or something to that effect; I'm not in front of the box right now). Did Vista leave a bunch of files behind even though I did a clean install? Can/should I manually remove these, and maybe other, files? What other files might exist that I should get rid of?

(2) I now have a dualboot option screen. There are two options: Vista and some non-OS option (I want to say Ramdisk, but I know that's wrong. It's something strange like that). What exactly is this option and how do I get rid of it?

(3) Would I be better suited to just re-do the entire process, but this time with a format before the Windows 7 install? I'm concerned that if I did the format, I might run into the problems I was having before with installing Windows 7 (the installation was unable to format the drive).

(4) Is there a standard partition size for the partition needed for system files? I did not readjust the partition after Vista created what it needed to. It's something over 1GB. Should I make any adjustments or just leave it?

Thanks!

 

I have done this over XP Windows 7 RC did not give me the option to Format I also have a Folder called Windows old.
This is where your old Vista is you can not access Vista anymore but all your Files and Folders are there for you in Windows 7. I have no problems with 7 my HDD was SATA 160 Gig.

 

thanks Steve I will keep a lookout for that next time, but on the other side of the coin, it is not a bad idea if you happen to use a used HDD with a OS on it that you not care about, you get to keep all your files and folders with your old OS safely tucked away.
Petty the retail version of seven will not be like that when it gets released.

 

Thanks Arie, well that could safe many a people hours of extra work, if you are prepared to take the risk of not backing up.