lost all backups

On my new HP dv7t laptop I tried to make an incremental backup before I
tried to transfer folders and files etc. from my desktop. The laptop has 2 -
250 GB hard drives. It made the whole backup onto my second drive and I
guess it wiped out the first drive. I tried to reset to an earlier date
(before I did the transfer) . I now do not have any backup at all (just the
discs I made when I opened the machine) for Windows Vista Home Premium.

Do I now reinstall the Windows Vista Home Premium from my discs? Will that
automatically restore it to the place the orig. Restore backup was. (hp does
not send ANY discs)?

As I am typing this, I went to the laptop and opened "Computer". It says
HP_RECOVERY (E)8.78 GB. And HP_RECOVERY (H) 9.34 gb.
Needless to say, I don't know what I'm doing, what to do next, or how to do
it.

And just to make it a little more complicated. I would like to get the
anytime update to Ultimate so both my laptop and my desktop will be the
same.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Please tell me where to start.