Reinstalling Windows Operating System

Question

Help! I bought a new hard drive for my computer a few weeks ago and I'm trying to reinstall the operating system. I've read at least three manuals that detail the process and everything goes smoothly up until it is time for the actual download to begin; it never goes past 0% and then the laptop starts making a clicking sound. I'm not sure if there's something else wrong with the laptop, which is an Inspiron 1545, or if I'm just missing another step (even though I've done everything accordingly). I've spent a lot of time and money in this computer (between buying a new hard drive, battery and OS disks) and if this doesn't work I'll be forced to get a new one.

Philip_Yip · Answer

Have your ran the Dell Diagnostics, power down the system and press F12 while powering up, run the diagnostics and any extended tests.

See my wiki A Clean Install of Windows 7.

New hard drive, battery and OS DVDs, Why? Did you upgrade from Vista to 7? Did the previous HDD fail or you need more space?

_ksister · Answer

I did all of that and the installation still would not go past 0%. I got the new hard drive because the previous one failed.

Philip_Yip · Answer

Did you try a retail .iso opposed to your reinstallation DVD? Create a bootable USB and use that instead to install Windows 7? See here and here.

Windows General

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