Thanks for that, i will try that.

I prefer to use Linux Fedora to retrieve data from a failed drive, its usually more reliable that trying to get it from a Windows install:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/data-recovery-using-fedora/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arX7DUWGCvM&index=9&list=PL1RkaknDn7v-Ucth4gt0U3BHVSY7oNkWr

I have another question; I just installed a brand new hdd, and I'm having issues reinstalling win7 from the dosc image i made several years ago. Any help is greatly appreciated!

We'd need to know what problems you're having.  Is the image on a hard drive?  DVD?  What did you use to create the image?  Dell Backup and Recovery?  Another program?

I did a disc image on dvd's. Do i need to format the new hdd first? I tried start up repair, and get these error codes; problem signature 01: 6.1.7600.16385

Problem signature  02: 6.1.7600.16385

Prob. Sig 03: unknown

Prob. Sig. 04: -1

Prob. Sig. 05: AutoFailover

06: 10

07: CorruptRegistry

OS version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1

Local id: 1033

I did a disc image on dvd's. Do i need to format the new hdd first? I tried start up repair, and get these error codes; problem signature 01: 6.1.7600.16385

Problem signature  02: 6.1.7600.16385

Prob. Sig 03: unknown

Prob. Sig. 04: -1

Prob. Sig. 05: AutoFailover

06: 10

07: CorruptRegistry

OS version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1

Local id: 1033

It is a dell system recovery series of discs, which i made shortly after buying the machine. It seems that without the initial program being present (its a brand new hdd) the installation cannot work.

You can Download a Windows 10 TH2 .iso, make a bootable USB and clean install with your Windows 7 OEM product key:

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycGr3MBcAnw&index=4&list=PL1RkaknDn7v-Ucth4gt0U3BHVSY7oNkWr

Its not uncommon for one of the factory burnt DVDs (especially with the older Dell DataSafe Local Backup program) to be corrupt which is why I always recommended upgrading Dell Backup and Recovery to the latest version and making USB media. The older program sometimes had difficulties with different sized HDDs.

At this stage it will be easier for you to clean install Windows 10 TH2, see here for details:

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3N2y1VbYSQ&list=PL1RkaknDn7v-Ucth4gt0U3BHVSY7oNkWr&index=2