Windows 7 installation

[DanTTTD]

I can't install Windows 7 from the Dell Reinstallation disc on a Dell precision computer.

I have recently purchased a used Dell precision computer. It came with no OS installed, just blank HDD. I installed 2 new SSDs and started it up ready to install Windows 7.

I am trying to boot from the DVD drive using a Windows 7 Reinstallation DVD disc. When I boot it says that 'no boot device was found'. I have gone into the BIOS and reordered the boot sequence so that it should start from the 'onboard or USB CD-ROM', as this is the only option apart from the blank SSD. But it still doesn't work.

Any suggestions? The DVD drive seems to be working. But maybe it isn't. Should it appear differently in the BIOS boot sequence menu?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[DanTTTD]

Also, CAN I install a fresh copy of Windows 7 OS on a blank computer using the Windows 7 Reinstallation disc? I was lead to believe I could, which is why I purchased it.

 

[DanTTTD]

I've tried with an external DVD drive via USB, but it's the same thing. I don't think the BIOS is finding the DVD drives. How do they normally appear in BIOS boot sequence lists? Because, like I mentioned, mine appears as 'onboard or USB CD-ROM', which doesn't sound quite right....

 

[DanTTTD]

After a lot of troubleshooting, I have discovered that it's the OS disc itself which is broken.

So, I've ordered a new one, and it should install fine.

I have another question though:

Is it ok that I put my 120GB SSD in the first drive slot, and have it as my primary drive to load up the oS from? AND should the small cable go into this drive (the additional one to the SATA cable?)

 

[DanTTTD]

Thanks.

So each storage drive has to have the SATA cable AND the power cable inserted? I thought perhaps it's only the prime drive that both cables, and the power is then just bussed to the other drives via the linking SATA cable. Is this not the case?

 

[DanTTTD]

ah. OK. Rookie mistake. THanks.

 

[DanTTTD]

how do i post pics on here?
My computer only has one drive power lead it seems. Is this typical? I guess I am going to have to order 2 more power leads and plug them into the motherboard?
And one of the 5 power ports on my motherboard is blue. Does this indicate the primary boot OS drive? The other 4 are black. Does it matter which of these which power cables plug into and which corresponding drive they plug into? Does it have to match the SATA order? How do I know?
Thanks for your help.

 

[DanTTTD]

Oh, and which type should I buy? How do i find the correct ones?
My CPU is Xeon 5690 (x2) and I am going to 2 SSDs: a Samsung 850 Pro 256GB, and a SanDisk Extreme 2 120GB.
I'm not sure what the motherboard is, but I can find out.

 

[DanTTTD]

Yes, sorry, the CPU. It's the SATA interface cable I was talking about. All drives have power cables in, but 2 have the SATA interface (smaller) cables missing. I bought 2 today. Just hoping they are universal?

 

[DanTTTD]

Ok, so, I have 4 SATA interface ports on my motherboard, and only ONE is blue (the others are black), so I'm guessing I hook that one up the primary drive (i.e. the small SSD I will use to load the OS onto)? Then hook the other drives into the black SATA interface ports?

 

[DanTTTD]

i have a Dell Precision T7500 2 x Intel Xeon X5690.