Inspiron E1705: Upgrading to a new HDD and installing Vista

So I've recently purchased my Inspiron E1705 and I want to upgrade from the 80gb drive it came with to 120gb-160gb drive. Along with that I want to install the copy of Vista that came with the notebook onto this new drive, but I have heard that without the hidden dell partition I won't be able to do so. So my question is what steps do I need to take in order to successfully install the copy of Vista on my new harddrive without all the Dell bloatware.

Thanks in advance.

 

First of all you will need a SATA HDD like this. Better get a 7200RPM disk for higher performance.

For instructions on how to remove and replace the HDD, refer the DELL service manual.

If you got a Vista reinstallation disk (Not an upgrade disk) then I don't think there is a problem. Just put in the disk and follow the instructions.


EDIT : But hold on till someone else confirms this. Since I have not done this procedure myself I can't say for sure.

 

I Believe Phoenix Is Right. Microsoft Has Incorporated Online Installation Support (during Os Load) And It Is Now Not Necessary To Even Have Raid Drivers During Installation! Also, You Can Use An Upgrade Disk For A Clean Install As Long As You Have A Previous Version (hardcopy) Of Windows 2000/xp/vista(if Upgrading Vista Versions) On Hand.

 

on the hidden dell partition that isnt true. I deleted the dell hidden partition and my laptop works perfectly.

the link that PFX provided is a good info on how to change your HDD.

i recently upgraded my 60gb 7200 hdd to 100gb 7200 and havent regretted it and i prefer performance over extra GBs since your laptop is as fast as its slowest component.

if you end up getting an upgrade DVD, you will have to install it twice to get a clean install. shouldn't run into any problems installing Vista on a new HDD.

i would suggest you use Intel's chipset drivers instead of Dells. it gave me problems and intel installed without any issues whatsoever. for video i would go to laptopvideo2go, dell's video drivers gave me issues as well. i basically only had issues on the chipset and video drivers. Every of driver installed without any issues.

good luck on Vista. i like it a lot, just need a little time getting use to.

 

You don't even need a copy of the disc lying around unless Dell change something.

Assuming there is no OS already installed this will allow you to do a clean install of Vista from an Upgrade disc.

1. Boot from the CD and choose to do a Custom install
2. Skip the part about the CD key but when asked what edition you are licensed for make sure you select the correct one. If you do not select the edition you are licensed for then this procedure will not work properly.
3. Allow it to install and go through the standard stuff. Login when finished.
4. Open up Computer and then your CD drive that contains the Vista DVD.
5. Run Setup.exe and choose to Install Vista. This time around enter your CD key and it will allow you to do a clean install.

I actually told it the same partition and it renamed the Windows install folder to Windows.old. It did the same thing it did before but this time I was installing with my key entered in. Once complete I was able to activate and I removed the Windows.old folder. Didn't need to install XP or provide a previous OS disc.