system image backup on 5 DVDs

Hi guys, I've read with interest this forum.. I'll try & keep this brief as I can... I did a W7 system image backup on 5 DVDs. My Pc is a DELL XPS 15z which has the eject button as a key on the keyboard. I had a virus on my PC & tried to reinstall the image but I can only get as far as entering the last disc from the back up set.. when I try to eject the dvd it won't work unless I abort & boot into windows!! Since then I did a clean reinstall of windows 7, but I have realised I've lost my Microsoft office that came with the original Dell system software.I've also lost the original Dell back up so I can't restore with Dell recovery. How can I gt this problem solved? I have the image on 5 DVDs but I can't get it back on the laptop! Can it be transferred to a usb flash drive or a partition in my hard drive? Any help would be really appreciated.

Welcome to the Seven Forums.

You might try the steps in this tutorial:
Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

See the note box above step 1.

That note box has a link where you might be able to download a Windows ISO file.

I say "might" because the links to some of the ISO files are not always functional as of late.

UsernameIssues said:

Welcome to the Seven Forums.

You might try the steps in this tutorial:
Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

See the note box above step 1.

That note box has a link where you might be able to download a Windows ISO file.

I say "might" because the links to some of the ISO files are not always functional as of late.

Thanks for the info... I don't quite understand how this would work for me. I have an original Windows 7 installation Disc (the one I used to do a clean install of windows with) already. I'm trying to reinstall the version of windows that was on my PC before I installed the current version of windows 7 I have now.. I did the system image 2 months ago & it has all of the original Dell software bundle & Dell back up data on those 5 system image discs... Does the universal DVD facilitate recovery from those discs?

Sorry - I misunderstood the goal :-(

Maybe others will have an answer for you

@WHS Thanks for that info.. I did read somewhere else on this forum about creating the vhd file.. I'll try that but how can I retrieve the relevant data eg; the Dell partition of my previous hard drive format & the Microsoft office software & product license key? I'm not too worried about everything else I had because I've pretty much restored it. Another question if I get it all back to the vhd folder would it show up as a previous back up if I tried to re-image my laptop?

mjf said:

If you did a true clean install you have probably reformatted and wiped the Dell recovery partition. Did you make the Dell factory restore DVDs (~2 DVDs) when you bought the PC? These are different from a system image. You can have a look at this link but it may not help if you have reformatted your HDD.
techieNetizen's Web Log: XPS 15z: Factory reset, recovery and partitions
Another option is to contact Dell. They appear to be very good with direct support.

I bought the PC used from ebay so no back up discs unfortunately.
When I re-installed windows with a proper windows 7 disc it wiped everything except for REOVERY (E) which is set aside by Dell... However if I try to do a factory back up with Dell recovery I get a message saying original system image missing (or something along those lines)

whs said:

If you have access to a Windows 7 Ultimate or a Windows 8 pro system, you could boot with the VHD, run Belarc Advisor and thus find all your product keys.

how can I retrieve the relevant data eg; the Dell partition of my previous hard

Everything that was imaged would be in the VHD and could be retrieved.

Another question if I get it all back to the vhd folder would it show up as a previous back up if I tried to re-image my laptop?

This I don't understand. Can you elaborate.

What I meant was I've copied the discs into a separate partition on my hard drive but not created a vhd folder yet.. I don't know where the folder should be placed even! Should it be on (C) or the new volume (D) where I just copied the discs to. I don't have access to W7 ultimate or W8 pro.. All I've got is windows 7 home premium... I do have Hirens boot CD is there anything on that I could use to restore my back up? What I meant by would the VHD be shown as a previous back up is.. When you put the W7 repair disc in, it offers you various choices- system restore etc.. When you click on "system recovery options" then click on recover from a back up you made earlier, will those vhd folders be recognised as the earlier back up? (phew got there in the end lol!)