I need to reinstall W7 x64 from Dell factory disc on a deleted OS

[DBone]

1st. I have never ever installed a OS so I am a full newbie:

Today, after a bad driver update, I decided to do a system image from a known good image that I have used once before. The image is on 3 DVD's. I inserted and ran the 1st DVD like normal, and when prompted, I inserted the 2nd DVD. That's when it happened.

The screen kept saying that "No DVD is installed in the drive" even though I could hear it spinning. I clicked OK, and the message would return. I opened, replaced the DVD and closed the tray many, many times and I got the same "no DVD installed" error message.

I tried and tried to no avail. So I cancelled the system image thinking I could just boot from the System repair disc that I made, but no matter how many times I try to boot from it, I get an error message, and nothing but "No operating system installed".

I called Dell and they are sending me a factory W7 Home Premium x64 disc that I should receive Friday................I have no clue what to do when I receive it, but I want to at least try.

If any of you OS install experts could point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it. Remember I am a total beginner in this area, and it's OK to talk to me in the way a kid would understand...........No offense will be taken, and actually, I'll really appreciate it!

 

[theog]

Step 1. Clean the HD Drive:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html
Step 2. Comes down to what type of Recovery Disk Dell send you.

How to use Dell Recovery Partition,make Recovery Disks & how to order Recovery Disks.
Dell - Support

 

[DBone]

Thanks for those. As my system sits now, it will not boot at all. I do have a couple of options before I get the black "Missing Operating System" screen : F2 Setup F12 Boot Options.

If I select F12 Boot Options, I can chose between:

Internal HDD
CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive
Onboard NIC
BIOS Setup
Diagnostics

So when I get my 4 discs from Dell (I don't know what kind yet), do I place the first Dell disc in the DVD drive, and then restart computer and select F12?? If so, do I then "optimize windows for reinstallation" Will it work with no OS, and just booting from the Dell disc?

Thanks for any help!!!

 

[DBone]

BTW, Dell told me that I will receive 4 discs, and mentioned that one (or more) of the discs would be "the driver" disc. I've watched several videos on YouTube, and it looks easy enough, but all of the videos that I have seen only use 1 disc, and they don't even mention drivers.

Do you think it will be as easy as "following directions" as I go through each disc, or am I fooling myself, and you actually need to know what you are doing to get it right?

 

[gregrocker]

The Dell Recovery disks will restore your computer to factory condition with all of the preinstalled sponsors' bloatware included. Tips to Clean up factory bloatware

If perchance they send you a Win7 Installation DVD then you can clean reinstall without the bloatware with the Product Key on COA sticker following these steps to get a perfect clean reinstall of factory OEM: Reinstalling Windows 7

You could also find a Win7 installation DVD to do the clean reinstall . All versions can be unlocked in any retail installer per the first step in link above.

Get any drivers missing after install off the Dell Support Downloads webpage for your tag number.

 

[DBone]

Wow thanks for all that. Maybe a stupid question, but if I went and bought a W7 Home Premium disc from say BestBuy Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade - Windows would that disc install on my Dell machine, and do so without the Dell bloatware?? Would it be as simple as that?


Edt: also, what about my drivers? since my machine was nuked, and there is no OS currently, if I buy the above disc, will I have video and audio after install?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Have you tried using the factory recovery partition, if it still exists; have a look at the information below, you have nothing to lose giving it a go; theog actually posted a link to this I believe.

   Information

Turn on the computer.

2 As the computer starts, press <F8> on the keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.

Note:
You must press <F8> before the Windows logo appears on the screen. If you press <F8> after the Windows logo appears on the screen, the Advanced Boot Options menu will not appear on the screen. If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.

3 Press the <Down Arrow> on the keyboard to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press <Enter>.

4 Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.

5 Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.

6 Click Dell Factory Image Restore.

7 In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.

8 Click to select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.

9 Click Next.
The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.

10 When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.

 

[DBone]

Tried it, all I get is NO OS in a black screen. Any comments about me buying W7 and installing myself and what about my drivers, video and audio after install?

 

[theog]

In the F12 boot Option run the Diagostics.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Don't purchase anything, you already own a Windows 7 activation key for the life of that Dell PC, have a look at this tutorial linked below.

Clean Install : Factory COA Activation Key

​

 

[seavixen32]

If you carry out a clean install of Windows you can go to Dell Support, key in your Service Tag and download any drivers and applications relevant to your system.

However, I've just noticed you mentioned Dell are sending you three recovery discs and a driver disc.

The recovery discs will restore your computer to its factory state, whilst the driver disc will contain your system's drivers - you'll only need to use this disc if you carry out a clean install of Windows.

Using the recovery discs is simplicity itself. Insert the first one, restart your computer and press F12, which gives you the option to boot from the first recovery disc. From then on, just follow the instructions given onscreen.

 

[theog]

For what I have seen, Dell are sending out.
1) Windows 7 install DVD. (of your version)
2) Drivers CD for your model.
3) Hardware Diagnostics DVD for your model.
4) App's CD.

 

[seavixen32]

Cheers theog, that makes more sense.

 

[gregrocker]

You can buy a Win7 installation DVD but it includes the Product Key which you already own, so if you don't need another Product Key for another computer then I'd wait to see if Dell sends you the installation DVD, borrow one, download one from the web searching "Official Win7 ISO downloads" from Digital Life, or use the Recovery Disks and clean up the bloatware afterwards.

 

[DBone]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I decided to wait until I get my Dell discs. You all have been a big help and I really appreciate it! I'll let you know how it goes by replying back to this thread...............Fingers crossed!

 

[seavixen32]

You're very welcome.

You should be OK when your Dell discs arrive, but do post back if you get any problems with them.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Be sure to post back here to keep us updated.

 

[Golden]

G'day DBone,

Once you have your system back to where you want it (get the bloatware off it using Greg's post earlier), you may wish to consider imaging the PC to effectively create a copy of it, thereby making it considerably easier to recover from something similar in the future.

These are the steps:
1. You get your PC to the state you are happy with
2. You create the image, and keep it stored somewhere safe (an external USB drive for example)
3. You create a boot disk that, when needed, allows you to restore your PC using the image stored on the USB drive.

Why do it this way? Restoring an image is light years faster than reinstalling from recovery disks and then having to clean out all the bloatware.

There are lots of software options that will create and restore images for you. A popular FREE one is Macrium Reflect. WHS did a nice easy-to-follow tutorial on it:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html

It really is the easiest thing to do, and also the best option to protect yourself from these unexpected issues. Post back here if you need more help with that.

Regards,
Golden

 

[DBone]

Ok, I received 4 discs:

1) Green disc that says "Reinstallation DVD W7 Home Premium x64"
2) Black Dell Application disc that says "Reinstalling Cyberlink PowerDVD DX 8.3 for W7"
3) Black Dell Drivers & Utilities disc that says "Reinstalling Dell Inspiron 1545 software" & "Contents; Device Drivers, Diagnostics and Utilities".
4) Red Roxio 'Easy CD & DVD Burning 10.3 DE' disc that says "Backup Disc"

So, is the green W7 disc just the W7 OS disc? Or does that disc have all of the Dell bloatware in it too?

Also, I'm assuming that I start with the green W7 disc, but what comes next? Is the red Roxio DVD/CD disc needed, or is it bloatware too?

Is the black Dell Drivers & Utilities disc where all of the Dell bloatware is hiding?

I would like to do a clean install, without the Dell bloatware if possible, so if once I install W7, do I then hookup to the modem with an Ethernet cable so I can go to Dell Downloads and download/install my wireless card?

I know I'm a pain in the rear, but I'm just tying to get all of my ducks in a row before I begin. I have read all of the tutorials in the links that you guys have provided, but it's a lot of info to digest.

 

[seavixen32]

1) You are in luck as Dell have sent you a Windows DVD, which will give you a clean install of Windows 7 Home Premium WITHOUT any crap you don't need.

2) You'll then need to use the Dell drivers and utilities disc to install the Dell drivers and applications such as the Intel Storage Controller, your audio and video adapters, but once again, no crap.

3) Cyberlink PowerDVD is your DVD player software, it's up to you whether you install it.

4) The Roxio Easy CD is your CD and DVD burning software, once again it's your choice as to whether you install it.




Dell recommend you install your software in this order:

• System software i.e. Windows
• Chipset drivers
• Intel storage
• Audio adapter
• Video adapter
• Ethernet network adapter
• Wireless network card (if you have one)
• Any other software and updates

So, to recap:

• Use the green DVD to install Windows
• Use the black DVD to install your drivers and applications
• Use the black Cyberlink DVD to install your DVD player software
• Use the red Roxio DVD to install your CD/DVD burner

To install Windows just insert the Windows DVD and restart your computer. Press F12 then any key when prompted and the system will boot into your Windows DVD for that one time.

Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask if you're not sure of anything.