how to restore the operating system after installing new hard drive?

Hi davedyer,

If you already have the Windows 7 operating system disc and Drivers discs, please refer the following link to reinstall Windows 7 in the new hard drive: http://dell.to/117DCaz

Click the link and select Microsoft Windows 7 from this link.

After the operating system is installed, the drivers should be installed in correct order for proper functionality of the hardware components of the computer. Please use this link which shows the right order: http://dell.to/YHndJF

Please reply for any further help.

Thanks Nikhil D. I have a couple of more questions please. I don't have a copy of Windows 7per se, just the disc entitled "Operating System Reinstallation DVD Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit" that came with my Vostro 3300.  Will this work on a new hard drive?  Also, the page showing the correct order to install the drivers shows the first item to install is the "Dell System Software".  When I enter my service tag on the Dell Drivers and Downloads page I don't see the system software either listed under "System Utilities" or "Systems Management". On the disc that came with the computer, under utilities I see "Operating System Utilities - Dell OS Tools Rev:A14-32". When I click on this it shows: "Update Sun JAVA 6.0 update 23. So is this the Dell System Software I need to install first? Finally, on the Dell Drivers and Downloads page I see under "Bios - Dell Winery 13 Bios, A10. I don't see this listed on the page showing the correct order to install. Is Dell Winery necessary?  Thanks for all your help!!

Hi davedyer,

Yes, you can use the “Operating System Reinstallation DVD Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit” to install Windows 7 in the new hard drive.

Yes, “Operating System Utilities - Dell OS Tools Rev: A14-32” is the Dell System Software which needs to be installed first.

Bios update is not necessary, now.

Please reply if you need any further help.

See Windows Reinstallation Guide / A Clean Install of Windows 7 for more details.

You can use http://ftp.dell.com/utility/DELL_SYSTEM-SOFTWARE_A01_R260745.exe for Dell System Software.

Heartfelt thanks to natakuc4 and to Dell Nikhil D for all the help. One more question: what exactly is this exe file that natakuk 4 reccomends, what does it do?

ftp.dell.com/.../DELL_SYSTEM-SOFTWARE_A01_R260745.exe    

thanks again, this is starting to make sense -  and I am most grateful.

-dave

one last (i hope) question: when reinstalling windows with a "clean install" is the activation code automatically generated from the dell re-install disc or do i use the product code located in the battery tray of the vostro 3300? I've read conflicting advice. thanks

With a new hard drive you are installing using the Dell Windows Reinstallation DVD within the Dell BIOS. The Dell Reinstallation DVD has system locked preinstallation and should input the Dell system locked preinstallation key when the correct Dell BIOS is detected and automatically activate.

Cases where this doesn't happen include the following:

• The OS is reinstalled via running the setup within Windows and not installed via the Dell BIOS.
• The Dell Reinstallation DVD is installed on an invalid system and so a product key has to be entered manually.
• The Dell Reinstallation DVD is installed on a valid system but its BIOS is out of date (rare)
• Retail media is used opposed to a Reinstallation DVD. This requires entry of the 25 digit product key or use of the activation backup and recovery program.

You should not have any of these cases.

Thanks natakuc4. You and Dell-Nikhil D  have been very generous sharing your expertise and there is no way I could have negotiated this without you good cats. I've downloaded the "Windows Re installation Guide", have a list of the appropriate drivers and the proper order to load them, and I am ordering a new WD 500GB hard drive on Friday.  You guys have turned a daunting task into something I believe will go relatively easy with a little patience on my part.  Thanks again, and please believe me to be, confident you will receive showers of blessings from  your future good karma  - dave