Recovery software for my E6520?

You didn't create a recovery media?

You can Download and Clean Install Windows 10 TH2:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-windows-10-oem-and-retail-iso/

So, with this I can go to W10 directly with a W7 ID?

Got it at a garage sale, but I will once I get it running.

Hi,

Thank you for writing to the Dell Community Forum.

You should be able to place a request for the back-up disks from the link below:

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/media

You can also place a request for the disks by contacting the Dell Technical Support of your region. 

So, with this I can go to W10 directly with a W7 ID?

Yes Windows 10 TH2 accepts Windows 7 OEM product keys printed on COAs affixed to the system (in laptops under the battery compartment) and automatically inputs and accepts Windows 8.x OEM product keys (embedded in the UEFI BIOS).

So, with this I can go to W10 directly with a W7 ID?

Yes Windows 10 TH2 installation media will accept your Windows 7 OEM product key.

I must be missing something.  I downloaded the installation media and tried to install Windows for a clean drive.  When selected a normal install it told me to take the disk out and reboot again with the disc.  THis just puts me into this loop of turning it off and restarting it.  I selected Custom and no drivers were found.  Where are these drivers?  I saw UEFI BIOS referenced in the instructions, but I don't know what or where they are, or if I need them.

You made a Bootable USB that's FAT 32 formatted for a UEFI BIOS? You have enabled UEFI and SecureBoot and then booted from the USB to begin the install?

Thank you Philip.  Is there a tutorial for this?  I don't know how to format for a UEFI BIOS specifically.  I also don' know how to "enabled UEFI and SecureBoot".

To update your (UEFI) BIOS to the latest revision follow my guide here:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/updating-the-bios/

I explain why I am recommending some of the settings in detail at the top in the introduction setting then I then instruct how to check the BIOS revision, perform the update and then check that its applied. I then instruct how to arm UEFI and SecureBoot.

To make the Windows 10 TH2 Bootable USB and boot from it see here. Again the start of the guide gives some information in particular regarding to the product key and determining the Edition to install. The section on Downloading the Windows 10 TH2 .iso and creating the Bootable USB follow after the information sections:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-windows-10-oem-and-retail-iso/

See also if this playlist helps which is based on the written guides:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycGr3MBcAnw&index=3&list=PL1RkaknDn7v-Ucth4gt0U3BHVSY7oNkWr

The second video (based on the first written guide above) is a little long and I am planning on breaking it down into individual videos. For this reason the 1st video has some similar content to the 2nd video.

This is very helpful, but I'm afraid I'll need some additional guidance.  I've read the guides and your videos and found them very helpful.  What I don't see is how I install the driver on a system with a clean SSD.  I've made the USB boot successfully with no errors, but I assume I need to get my original BIOS to a point where it will accept the bootable USB - currently the system doesn't recognize it even if I direct the boot from USB.

I checked the current BIOS and it is an A04 for my E6520.  This is probably the original BIOS from when the unit was origianl manufactured.  I went to the driver site and located the BIOSs.  So the three questions I have are:

1. Do I pick the latest BIOS, and how do I know what intermediate BIOS I might need? 
2. How do I install the BIOS with no OS?
3. Will that latest BIOS have be UEFI ?

Thanks.

Unfortunately you need a Windows OS loaded to launch the BIOS update and theres no way of knowing what updates require a previous Edition until you launch the latest update and it tells you, you need an older revision.

If you cannot boot from the USB then its possible UEFI/SecureBoot aren't enabled or available at that revision. However from here:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19374352

It seems A04 has UEFI. Try making the Bootable USB from the .iso for a legacy BIOS.

If Windows 10 cannot boot and complete the installation then try Windows 8.1 Enterprise Evaluation 90 day trial. Use it only to install and update the BIOS (select MBR scheme for BIOS or UEFI Computer):

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-windows-8-1-enterprise-iso-90-day-trial/

This brings me right back to my original problem when I tried to install the W7 from disk.  I got the W8.1 and wrote the .iso image to a usb with Rufus.  Booted it up by hitting F12.  I selected both a legacy boot (which gave me an error) and the UEFI option, which searches for drivers and can't find them. It's asking for signed drivers, which I cannot find, even when trying to navigate to different folders on the USB.

To recap:

1. I tried to install W7 from DVD.
2. I tried to install W10 from USB
3. I tried to install W 8.1 from USB

It appears that the system is looking for drivers that are not in any of the downloads, or the A04 legacy BIOS.  Any other thoughts?