joecyg :
I didn't. I am trying to install one. It came with vista when I bought it but hd crashed.
I wanted to install win7 on this new drive.
OK, I understand. Leave the laptop aside for a moment. Take out the new HDD that you purchased, and connect it to another computer using this:
http://www.apricorn.com/product_detail.php?type=family&id=39
Now NTFS format this HDD. Then install it in the laptop. Power ON the laptop, and make sure you get a POST (Power On Self Test) beep. Then insert the Win & DVD and start the installation of Win 7.
If you do not get the POST beep, then open the laptop and remove the RTC battery (Lithium CR 2032) from the motherboard, and set it aside for 10 to 15 minutes. (On my Dell laptop, the RTC battery is visible when I open the Memory bay plastic cover). Then re-install the RTC battery back on the motherboard. This will reset the BIOS to factory defaults. Now re-start the laptop, and you should hear the POST beep.