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Installing Vista on new HDD from Reinstallation DVD
Hi!
Is it possible to use the Windows reinstallation DVD that came with my Dell laptop to install Windows on a new HDD for the same laptop? I've been thinking of upgrading the HDD in my laptop to something newer, bigger, and faster, but would like to make sure that I will be able to use the reinstall DVD before investing in the new HDD. I haven't been able to work out a straight yes or no answer from comments I've seen online (something about the DVD only working with the original Dell hardware?).
Here are my laptop specs:
- Model: Dell XPS m1330
- Age: 4.5 yrs old
- OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit (I have the reinstallation DVD that came with the laptop - the one labelled 'Already installed on your computer' - as well as the CDs for the Dell drivers and utilities)
- Hardware: All of the hardware is as I received it from Dell - I haven't swapped anything out.
Thank you in advance for your insight!
Mariko
jackshack
6.4K Posts
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January 26th, 2013 13:00
Reinstallation is precisely what that DVD is for. Dell gives a page of links to assist owners in the restoration of their computers here: Restoring and Reinstalling Windows on a Dell. For a blank hard drive you need to go to Step 4: Manual Reinstallation. Forum member natakuc4 has written a few pages with a lot of additional information that might be of help, found here: A Clean Install of Windows.
It may also be possible to clone your existing hard drive to shorten the time required to restore your computer, but with a laptop you will also need a USB external hard drive shell. I don't know about all vendors, but I know that Seagate and Western Digital offer a free version of Acronis True Image on their web pages to owners of their hard drives. This application allows you to transfer an image of your existing hard drive to a new hard drive in less than an hour (usually-depends on how much is on the drives).
vimawe
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January 27th, 2013 11:00
Thank you Jack! That is exactly the answer I was hoping for :)