Windows 7: New hard drive/computer dummy needs help.

After receiving the S.M.A.R.T. Message that my HD was failing, I was able to backup to an external HD with a system image. I did not get a recovery disk made before I lost the HD completely. So, I have a brand new HD placed in the laptop, and the backup on my external HD. What do I do now? When I turn on the computer, nothing happens because I can't get windows on the new HD. (Because I know nothing about this stuff). Can anyone help me? I am illiterate when it comes to tech lingo, so dumb it down if you can. Lol



Not sure if it matters, but I have a Sony Vaio laptop that's only a year and a half old. No disks came with, but I have the windows product code sticker on the bottom.

Thank you in advance for your help!

I am guessing you used Windows backup, is that correct? You will need to go to this site Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life burn a DVD of your version of Win 7. If you had Win 7 Home Premium 32-bit, that is the ISO that you will download. You will then need to install Win 7 using this tutorial Clean Install Windows 7 Once you get it installed you can restore you backup. == Just as a point, if you had used Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download you could just restore and you would be done with it. I suggest you use this in the future. Good luck

Thank you so much for the quick reply! I will try that.