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Restore Windows 7 to SSD (smaller than original HDD)
Dell XPS 15 - L501X
Windows 7 Pro
I wan to replace my 640GB HDD with a 240GB SSD. I have all of my data backed up to external drive and do NOT need to keep any settings. I just want to do a clean install of Win 7 on the new drive.
I made the Dell restore DVD's, switched the drives and booted to the DVD. The Dell Restore fails with the following message " The drive is smaller than 640GB and cannot be restored to".
As dell does not ship the "Windows 7" DVD's how can I get a clean install of Windows on to this new drive?
Thanks in Advance.
DELL-Kalyan S
750 Posts
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September 11th, 2013 19:00
Hi stwinn,
Welcome to Dell community!
As mentioned in the error message, due to a change in the size of the hard drive, the restore DVD's will not work. You will need a Windows 7 DVD to do a clean reinstall of the operating system. If you are from the USA please refer the following link to submit a request for backup disks for your computer: http://dell.to/1aDzR26
stwinn
2 Posts
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September 12th, 2013 05:00
Hi Kalyan,
Thank you for your reply. I am currently not in the USA so the shipping of the DVD's will not work. Is there anywhere I can download them from or can I make them from my current system?
Thanks again.
theflash1932
7 Technologist
7 Technologist
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16.3K Posts
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September 12th, 2013 09:00
If you aren't in the US, then you will need to contact Support in your region to get an installation DVD, as Dell does not have OEM media downloads available.
You could download and install using "retail" media though, then activate over the phone with Microsoft (NOT Dell) using the Product Key on your COA sticker:
http://www.w7forums.com/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads-t12325.html
This must match the version of your license.
DELL-Kalyan S
750 Posts
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September 12th, 2013 19:00
Hi stwinn,
You're Welcome!
May I know where was the laptop purchased? In which country are you currently located?
Philip_Yip
7 Technologist
7 Technologist
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16K Posts
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September 17th, 2013 06:00
See Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean install of Windows 7:
http://philipyip.wordpress.com/dell-community-forums/
This will guide you through backing up your product activation, downloading and creating Windows 7 installation media and carrying out a clean installation.