Alot of the things you are talking about are native to Windows 7. Did you install the same version of Windows as before and use your Dell product Key (Sticker at the base of the system).
• Sticky Notes (All Programs>Accessories)
• Windows DVD Maker (All Programs)
• Snipping Tool (All Programs Accessories)
• Word Starter is OEM and cannot be reinstalled. i.e. no download links. You have to purchase Microsoft Office 2010 (Home and Student or whatever). If you did purchase Microsoft Office, you may use your product key and download a trial version from Microsoft.
I wrote this guide for another user wishing to do a fresh install of Windows 7 with discs for another user of the inspiron 1545. I will edit it slightly.
First downloading the disc, where did you download Windows 7 from? I recommend getting these official retail .isos. (Just make sure it is the same version of Windows, Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate as your product key). 64 bit is probably the best. (save this in a folder on an external harddrive).
Creating the bootable DVD/USB. Use the Windows 7 .iso to USB/DVD tool to create your media. Requires blank DVD or a USB flash stick 4 GB or greater.
Power down the computer, hold F12 select boot from CD/DVD. Start with the Windows install. See here for detailed instructions. When selecting the drive on which you want to install Windows on. You will need to look at the drive options and select format. This may remove any conflicting files with your windows installation.
As soon as Windows 7 is installed I recommend installing the standalone service pack 1 (second from bottom, won't need for the official retail isos as they include SP1) and standalone internet explorer 9 (Windows 7 x64). This will save alot of grief with Windows update later on. I recommend installing these before installing the drivers (save these in a folder on an external harddrive).
Save the drivers in folders on the external harddrive so you know what is what (e.g. the headings I have given). Otherwise you will have a bundle of Rxxxxx and you don't know what is what. Again inputting the service tag will narrow the number of drivers down to those that are specific to your system.
1. Dell Notebook Software (Under System Utilities)
2. Chipset Drivers Intel, then Realtek
3. ATI/Intel Video Drivers
4. Ethernet (Under Network)
5. Wifi (Under Network)
6. Audio
7. Touchpad (Under Mouse and Keyboard)
8. TV Tuners (If you have under Video)
9. Bluetooth (If You have)
10. Dell Quickset Under Applications.
11. Intel Matrix Storage Manager Drivers then Application (Under SATA Drives)
15. My Dell Downloads (A new feature where you can download preinstalled software such as Roxio Creator Starter for your system, up to 3 times, so again back up - it requires use of internet explorer 32 bit, some of this software you may not want to install).
Unfortunately, you cannot recover word starter unless you stored a system image on an external hard drive or Dell sent you a drive with a Factory Restore partition. If you received the hard drive while under warranty, Dell should have already installed windows and the Factory Restore partition. Did you check the drive before you installed windows? Try the Dell Recovery Options to see if you have Factory Restore. Follow Step 3 here. Contact Dell Support if that doesn't work.
Thanks. Glad it is of help. :) I will make it a wiki in "laptop" and in "Microsoft OS" when I get wiki editing capabilities so it is easy for people to find. I should get the ability soon as I have over the magic number of 1500 posts.
I purchased a refurbished duo from dell outlet, I has an issue while trying out the windows 8 beta and used command prompt as I have many times before for myself and many other people with the expectations of having a factory restored mini. Unfortunately the results were very much less than satisfactory. The system was far from usable, all the factory installed programs would show in the program list but NOTHING worked at all. Not even the windows explorer to see what had or had not installed. Literally nothing worked. So I did an .iso to usb of my win7 dvd that shipped with the duo. All well and good windows would then work however it was the only thing installed of course. None of the drivers for video, WiFi, sound etc were even installed. I paid for a subscription to McAfee so I would appreciate being able to download at least that if nothing else that came preinstalled. The only program that is available thru the my downloads page for the mini is the dock application, which is worthless to me because I still have not received the dock that was listed on my invoice/shipping info. I can only assume because this is a refurb that the oem preinstalls were not reset to be available in the my downloads area. SO, any suggestions on how to obtain my preinstalled software would be greatly appreciated. I have been a tried and true dedicated Dell customer for many years after this situation I am rethinking my loyalty, especially when I could not get anyone in whichever country my support call went to to send the dock which was clearly part of my order.
Philip_Yip
9 Legend
•
16.1K Posts
0
July 21st, 2011 08:00
Alot of the things you are talking about are native to Windows 7. Did you install the same version of Windows as before and use your Dell product Key (Sticker at the base of the system).
• Sticky Notes (All Programs>Accessories)
• Windows DVD Maker (All Programs)
• Snipping Tool (All Programs Accessories)
• Word Starter is OEM and cannot be reinstalled. i.e. no download links. You have to purchase Microsoft Office 2010 (Home and Student or whatever). If you did purchase Microsoft Office, you may use your product key and download a trial version from Microsoft.
• The drivers for your system are available in the Dell Drivers and Downloads Page.
• Dell Webcam Software
• Dell Support Centre
• Other Useful (Mainly Free) software
I wrote this guide for another user wishing to do a fresh install of Windows 7 with discs for another user of the inspiron 1545. I will edit it slightly.
First downloading the disc, where did you download Windows 7 from? I recommend getting these official retail .isos. (Just make sure it is the same version of Windows, Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate as your product key). 64 bit is probably the best. (save this in a folder on an external harddrive).
Creating the bootable DVD/USB. Use the Windows 7 .iso to USB/DVD tool to create your media. Requires blank DVD or a USB flash stick 4 GB or greater.
Power down the computer, hold F12 select boot from CD/DVD. Start with the Windows install. See here for detailed instructions. When selecting the drive on which you want to install Windows on. You will need to look at the drive options and select format. This may remove any conflicting files with your windows installation.
As soon as Windows 7 is installed I recommend installing the standalone service pack 1 (second from bottom, won't need for the official retail isos as they include SP1) and standalone internet explorer 9 (Windows 7 x64). This will save alot of grief with Windows update later on. I recommend installing these before installing the drivers (save these in a folder on an external harddrive).
Obtain the drivers from the Dell Drivers and Download Page.
Save the drivers in folders on the external harddrive so you know what is what (e.g. the headings I have given). Otherwise you will have a bundle of Rxxxxx and you don't know what is what. Again inputting the service tag will narrow the number of drivers down to those that are specific to your system.
1. Dell Notebook Software (Under System Utilities)
2. Chipset Drivers Intel, then Realtek
3. ATI/Intel Video Drivers
4. Ethernet (Under Network)
5. Wifi (Under Network)
6. Audio
7. Touchpad (Under Mouse and Keyboard)
8. TV Tuners (If you have under Video)
9. Bluetooth (If You have)
10. Dell Quickset Under Applications.
11. Intel Matrix Storage Manager Drivers then Application (Under SATA Drives)
12. Dell Support Centre
13. Dell Webcam Centre (If you have a Webcam)
14. Dell Dock (Optional)
15. My Dell Downloads (A new feature where you can download preinstalled software such as Roxio Creator Starter for your system, up to 3 times, so again back up - it requires use of internet explorer 32 bit, some of this software you may not want to install).
16. Other Useful (Mainly Free) software (Optional)
Install everything in the order I have given.
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
July 21st, 2011 06:00
Try here:
smartsource.dell.com/.../Welcome.aspx
Mary G
4 Operator
•
20.1K Posts
0
July 21st, 2011 08:00
Unfortunately, you cannot recover word starter unless you stored a system image on an external hard drive or Dell sent you a drive with a Factory Restore partition. If you received the hard drive while under warranty, Dell should have already installed windows and the Factory Restore partition. Did you check the drive before you installed windows? Try the Dell Recovery Options to see if you have Factory Restore. Follow Step 3 here. Contact Dell Support if that doesn't work.
dallascowboyswo
3 Apprentice
•
2.4K Posts
0
July 22nd, 2011 15:00
Good work natakuc4, that is about a thorough answer as you going to get.
Travis299
147 Posts
0
July 23rd, 2011 11:00
Outstanding reply!
Philip_Yip
9 Legend
•
16.1K Posts
0
July 23rd, 2011 14:00
Thanks. Glad it is of help. :) I will make it a wiki in "laptop" and in "Microsoft OS" when I get wiki editing capabilities so it is easy for people to find. I should get the ability soon as I have over the magic number of 1500 posts.
Philip_Yip
9 Legend
•
16.1K Posts
0
August 8th, 2011 05:00
Update: Here is the wiki with some slight more detail.
kmiller043
3 Posts
0
April 14th, 2012 11:00
I purchased a refurbished duo from dell outlet, I has an issue while trying out the windows 8 beta and used command prompt as I have many times before for myself and many other people with the expectations of having a factory restored mini. Unfortunately the results were very much less than satisfactory. The system was far from usable, all the factory installed programs would show in the program list but NOTHING worked at all. Not even the windows explorer to see what had or had not installed. Literally nothing worked. So I did an .iso to usb of my win7 dvd that shipped with the duo. All well and good windows would then work however it was the only thing installed of course. None of the drivers for video, WiFi, sound etc were even installed. I paid for a subscription to McAfee so I would appreciate being able to download at least that if nothing else that came preinstalled. The only program that is available thru the my downloads page for the mini is the dock application, which is worthless to me because I still have not received the dock that was listed on my invoice/shipping info. I can only assume because this is a refurb that the oem preinstalls were not reset to be available in the my downloads area. SO, any suggestions on how to obtain my preinstalled software would be greatly appreciated. I have been a tried and true dedicated Dell customer for many years after this situation I am rethinking my loyalty, especially when I could not get anyone in whichever country my support call went to to send the dock which was clearly part of my order.