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28848
New Hard Drive / Clean installation
Hello Dell Community
Please be patient as this is the first time using this format of communication.
I have a Dell 3450 Corei5/ Dell Windows 7 Professional. 4MB ram.
Problem is my WD hard drive is almost critical. (2 restart in safe mode to date) Confirmed disk condition with WD “Data Lifeguard”
I need help to do a complete clean installation. I have elected to install a Samsung 850evo / 500GB drive. I have had this computer new since 2011. The Dell Resource Media Disk has 42 drivers dated 1/21/2011. (many if not all will have to be updated)
First I would like to confirm if my Bios is set to the correct settings. (I did the Bios A13 update from Dell’s Support Assist. (If I may make a comment on Support Assist…… As usual I entered my Tag # and Assist had listed the A13 and A07 Bios but I have a A13 why list the A07?????) This leaves me with little confidence having to update my Drivers on the original Dell Media Disk. Sorry for the rambling.
Please let us address my first question. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. I will be asking lots of questions.
jphughan
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November 21st, 2017 18:00
Sometimes multiple versions are listed because if you're running a very old version (such as A01) it isn't possible to update straight to the latest release, so people in that situation might need to update to A07 and then update to A13.
In terms a clean install, you don't necessarily have to do that just because your hard drive is in bad shape. If the existing hard drive is still usable, capture an image of it using a tool like Macrium Reflect Free and then restore that image onto the new drive. Or if you have a way to have both drives connected simultaneously (e.g. a SATA to USB adapter, which is very inexpensive if you don't already have one), then you can do a direct clone from one disk to the other and then simply install the SSD internally and you're up and running on the SSD, no need to rebuild your entire system.
If you WANT to rebuild your entire system just to get a fresh start, Microsoft allows you to download Windows 7, 8.1 and Windows 10 installers directly from them. Just Google "Download Windows [7/8.1/10] ISO" as appropriate. In terms of getting drivers installed, you can use that resource disc, but it will probably be quite outdated by now, so you might prefer to try Dell Command Update, which is an application you can install to automatically get the latest required drivers straight from Dell.
ieee488
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November 23rd, 2017 17:00
F12 when computer is rebooting
set SATA for AHCI
ieee488
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November 24th, 2017 06:00
Power down the laptop.
Remove the current hard drive.
Power back up.
Change the BIOS setting to AHCI if needed.
Power down.
Put in SSD.
By the way, changing the hard drive on the Vostro 3450 requires a bit of work.
www.youtube.com/watch
MFJM
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November 23rd, 2017 16:00
Hi iphughan
Thank you for looking at my post. First item is the Bios. I mentioned it because it has always been an A13 but offered the A07 and the A13. It was my understanding that the TAG # was like a VIN for an automobile. The TAG # would have all the information associated with my computer. Remember that I used Dell’s Support Assistant to do a scan of my computer. I guess this is not the case.
Cloning is definitely out of the question…………. I have a number of issues with software.
Quick Set has an issue
Conflict issue with ESET Premium and Malwarebytes Premium (3.3.1) Even deleting ESET as by their instructions there are issues.
Validity Sensor (Software issue)
(and all the stuff over 6 years like Windows updates)
Before I install the EVO (and on this computer it is a complete dismantlement) I want to line up all procedures to make the switch over as smooth as possible.
QUESTION: I have read from different sources, questions about the Bios and having it set so the OS will recognise the new SSD. What is this all about and how do I do it.
MFJM
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November 24th, 2017 03:00
Hi ieee488
Thank you
As I have little knowledge of computers (but I do allot of research/reading) to find answers. I do not want to assume anything.
HENCE: Do I set the bios to AHCI before I pull out the old hard drive / or do I do this after installing the EVO and on startup do the F12.
For all you experienced computer wizards this may seem a lame question but for me it could mean success or failure.
Again ...............thank you for your help.
MFJM
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November 24th, 2017 10:00
Hi
*****YOU ARE AWESOME*****
Yes I did see the video. And yes it is going to be a task on its own. But for that I am very mechanically
inclined and I am comfortable and confident it will not be a problem.
Now on to the next Question: (Hope you can also help me on this)
I have the Dell Resource Media CD. When I insert on the computer I ask to "Open Folder to View Flies"
I want to send you information based on a "Screen Shot" Extracted (through Paint) information I want to send saved it as JPEG but I can't paste it in this conversation. How can I transmit the information???
PLEASE DISREGARD THE ABOVE ON SENDING YOU INFORMATION / I FOUND THE INFORMATION
The reason I ask is that I want to know what I should be extracting for the disk and it would be hard for you to know whats on the disk if you can not view it.
Again THANK YOU so much ....FIRST TASK on the Bios has now been taken care off.
ieee488
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November 25th, 2017 04:00
The Dell Resource Media CD contains just the drivers.
It is not the DVD that will allow you to re-install Windows.
MFJM
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November 26th, 2017 09:00
Hi ieee488
Yes you are right. I put the cart before the horse.
I have the Dell Operating System Disk (Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit)
Do I understand correctly, that I insert the disk and power up the computer to start the install?
Is there anything I should know about doing the installation?
MFJM
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November 26th, 2017 09:00
Hi ieee488
I was thinking…………… As you are aware the Dell Vostro 3450 my computer has to have the mother board removed to install the new SSD.
From your instructions on how to set the Bios
1 Power down the laptop/ 2 Remove the current hard drive/ 3 Power back up/ 4 Change the BIOS setting to AHCI if needed/ 5 Power down/ 6 Put in SSD
Because of the tear down, before I move to step 3. I would have to reconstruct the computer then move forward to set 4 and 5. Tear down the computer again to move forward to step 6 and reconstruct the computer for the final time.
Dell did not think thing through as far as design. If anything would fail it would be the hard drive as it is mechanical in nature and all other components are electronic in nature. (except the fan and DVD)
Please confirm that my train of thought………………………:emotion-8:
MFJM
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November 26th, 2017 10:00
Hi ieee488
I am inclined to concur with you 100%. Start up (F12) with new SSD installed and change the setting on the Bios (if need).
One thing I did not get confirmation on:
I have the Dell Operating System Disk (Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit)
Do I understand correctly, that I insert the disk and power up the computer to start the install?
Is there anything I should know about doing the installation?
ieee488
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November 26th, 2017 10:00
Re-thinking.
This is what I would do if it was my laptop.
1. power down
2. remove old hard drive
3. install new hard drive
4. power up
5. change BIOS
ieee488
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November 26th, 2017 12:00
After installing Windows, you will need to install the drivers starting with the chipset.
And unless your DVD is Windows 7 SP1, you will be spending another hour updating to SP1. :-/
MFJM
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November 26th, 2017 12:00
Hi ieee488
Just to let you know, I have the “Dell Reinstall Drivers in the Correct Order Document”
I would like to send some files to you at your personal e-mail. May I do so? The files would be in Word/Excel. I would need to review them as I have a number of important questions.
jphughan
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November 26th, 2017 13:00
In addition to my post above, if your Windows disc is indeed Windows 7 without even SP1, make sure you have your product key (or use an app like ProduKey to view it), then download a Windows 7 SP1 ISO directly from Microsoft here instead of using what you have: www.microsoft.com/.../windows7
That would also allow you to make a bootable flash drive instead of a disc if you want, which will be faster to create and install from.
ieee488
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November 26th, 2017 13:00
You don't have to worry about product keys if you use Dell's OS Recovery Tool.
And you get the Windows ISO directly from Dell. How beautiful is that?