Help~ Installing Everything on new hdd on M11XR1

Hello.
I'm a little nervous about this so I really appreciate any help I can get on here. The hdd on my M11xR1 died and I am out of warranty So I purchased a new blank drive (Seagate Momentus XT ST95005620AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s with NCQ Solid State Hybrid Drive -Bare Drive, is this a good one??).
I have never installed a new operating system, bios in my life onto a new blank slate drive before. I have the original cds AW gave me, but do not have the cd key. Is it true all I need is the disc (an AW tech lady said the disc should have it all on there), but what order should I install the discs. Do I just insert the hard drive or what? I'm really confused cause the M11xR1 doesnt have a cd drive?

I am so greatful for any and all help in this matter. I really want to do this correctly.
Thanks so much for your time everyone!

 

Do not use the Command center DVD that came with you computer. It will cause the system to brick and not function anymore.

Install the windows cd, then go online and download all your drivers from dells support page.

 

In order for you to use the Windows Installation CDs you will need to either

1) Buy/Borrow a USB External CD/DVD Drive.
2) Using a different PC, make a USB Boot drive copy of your Windows Disk (google this, should be able to find instructions)

Once you find your preferred method of installing Windows, just follow the instructions on the screen, the disk/USB drive will automatically start. You do not need to install BIOS, just start the Windows CD and you're ready to follow instructions on screen, it's really simple.

Once it finishes installing the OS (Windows), first thing you should do probably is head over to Dell's support site for the M11x R1 and download and install all of your Drivers and stuff. Then you should probably run Windows update about a million times to get your PC up to date. Then you should be good to go. Windows 7 is pretty easy to install, you shouldn't have any issues once you find your installation method.

 

Hello, thanks for any help everyone!
Circumstances have forced me to go out and purchase a new Windows 7 OS for my M11xR1. I have never had to put a new OS on a blank drive before and install it in a used laptop before. Any tips? I don't understand how registration works, is all my laptop componants tied to my previous/deleted/lost OS key or is it just my old hard drive?
Also, I was looking at "Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM" from newegg Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - Operating Systems
but am not sure if Win7 OEM will work with my system, as it is not a "user built" laptop, I am just putting in a new blank drive. Am I getting the right thing?

Please help me with this, I am nervous about screwing this up or purchasing the wrong thing.
AGain, I am very grateful for any help everyone.
THanks!!!

 

If you have somehow damaged your OEM Windows 7 disc that came with your computer, you can order another using the Request for Backups form. You just have to be the original owner. It is free. Go here.
https://support.dell.com/support/to...ort/dellcare/en/backupcd_form?c=us&l=en&s=dfh

 

You can just put the windows CD on a flash drive and boot it, just need to format it in the right way. I use winsetupfromusb format tool, but it will only work with winxp and maybe win7 32bit.

haven't tested it but i am pretty sure this is the version i use: WinSetupFromUSB_0-2-3.exe - 4shared.com - online file sharing and storage - download if you need any more help send me a PM and i will get you a more detailed instructions.

You then simply put the HDD into the m11x, plug the flashdrive in and boot from it. The setup is fairly basic, select advanced installation, make partition and format as NTFS. Then its just a matter of downloading drivers from dell website.

 

Thanks. I was thinking of buying an external CD/DVD reader (any suggestions?) and sticking the disc in there, thought it was the easiest way? But is the OEM Win7 from newegg the kind I want/ will it work for the M11xR1?
Thanks!

 

Try this: Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool

Easiest way to do it, if you put the disk in a PC with a CD drive and use an application to turn it into an ISO image (believe MagicISO does the trick) and it'll stick it on the USB drive with about two clicks. Used it for my desktop before I bought a DVD drive.

Otherwise if you do buy an external DVD drive just go for the cheapest you can find! You'll probably only use a few times a year.

If you don't have the original reinstall disks either the OEM or Retail sets will give you what you're after, I have had some issues buying OEM licenses from some stores though - most don't care! (apparently you're supposed to be a Microsoft Certified System builder or something)

Edit: Doesn't the laptop have the License sticker on the bottom? Could be worth calling up Microsoft and explaining that you lost the reinstall disks and have to start over. See if they can do anything to save you the cash buying the license. Never know, might get lucky! A colleague managed to do a similar thing on one of his PC's.

 

Most of the number on the bottom rubbed off, I was an idiot and didn't notice (always learn soemthing fromt hese things...). Great idea about contacting Microsoft, however the only contact support option I found on their site charged a fee of like $50! I tried talking to one AW tech support and she said they couldn't do anything about it, kinda miffed about that..

 

They might have changed it then, they used to have a number (cost a load) but you got free product support when it was to do with licensing etc.

Edit: I just had a look, reason it cost nothing for my colleague would have been due to him having the code. That's a bit crappy. Best option would be to get hold of an OEM license. It's not much more costwise than calling Microsoft.

 

Thanks so much for the advice. Just purchased that OEM from newegg, hope it works. Really appreciate all the help everyone!

 

It'll work! I got lucky a few months back and got given an MSDN subcription through work. Gives me 10 retail keys for almost every bit of Microsoft software ever released.

Before that I just bought OEM licenses to save myself a bit of money when I was building PC's or updating them.

Hope it goes well! If you do decide to use the USB creation tool (Microsoft one) and need a hand turning the CD into an ISO image send me a PM and I'll help you out.