You need to reinstall using the Recovery Disks Dell wants you to make when you received your computer, but since, like most people, you probably didn't create Recovery Disks, you will need to order the Vista reinstallation DVD from Dell.  If you have access to a Retail copy of the same version of Vista that came with your computer, then you can install using that - activation will fail using the code on your computer - but you can call Microsoft to activate by phone.
Hi My hard drive died in my Inspiron 1525 and it can't read anything.I have a new drive but how am I supposed to get my Vista onto the new drivesince my OS is on the bad drive?
Dead Hard Drive no recovery.