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    Inspiron 1520 Vista/7 installation question

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by pcgamer08, Jun 11, 2011.

  1. pcgamer08

    pcgamer08 Notebook Consultant

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    Hey guys I'm in a bit of a tricky situation trying to find out the best solution. Hope you guys can offer any insight.

    My 1520 has Vista and I haven't done a fresh install in a long time that my laptop has become really slow.

    At the moment I have all my dell driver discs but I can't find my OEM disc which I thought was going to be along with them. I searched a bit but no luck but sure its somewhere in the house and if I turn everything upside down I'll find it.

    What I want to know is can I download Vista from anywhere and then enter my product key that is on the sticker under my laptop? Will that work?

    The other option is going straight for Windows 7 which I thought now would be good time but apparently my Inspiron 1520 isn't compatible or isn't on the Dell compatibility list and I can't find any drivers for it.

    I don't understand that, my laptop specs are enough to cope with 7 and even run better than Vista. I pass the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor but even then Dell don't have any drivers for Windows 7 for my laptop so do I just install the Vista ones or is it a no go and I just stick with Vista?

    What should I do? Any help thanks :)
     
    pcgamer08, Jun 11, 2011
    #1
  2. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    You can either use an OEM disc, I prefer the Dell disc as it preactivates Windows.

    Windows 7 will work on the 1520 (I have the Vostro 1500, Inspiron equivalent), some drivers it may not find (couldn't find the card reader, ended up using the driver from the Precision/Latitude). Windows Vista and 7 have near identical driver models so you should be good.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Jun 11, 2011
    #2
  3. Rodster

    Rodster Merica

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    Windows 7 works 100% on a Inspiron 1520 which is basically a Vostro 1500. The only drivers I install are the chipset and card reader, everything else Windows 7 installs it's base drivers for WiFi, BT, Modem, Audio and LAN. No issues using the default drivers.

    Don't bother using a Dell Windows 7 OEM disc on a Inspiron 1520. I have like 3 or 4 of them lying around from Dell Windows 7 systems i've purchased. The BIOS SLIC is different so it won't preactivate. Trust me i've tried it. :p
     
    Rodster, Jun 15, 2011
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  4. Jako

    Jako Notebook Evangelist

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    Rodster is wright, 1520 is 100% windows 7 compatible. You can use windows standard drivers or download drivers from station-drivers. You can also use MediaDirect 4 from dell studio if you like to keep MD button alive.
    Also 1520 bios slic is not compatible with W7 so you have to buy new licence or use software to "update" slic but that is illegal.
     
    Jako, Jun 15, 2011
    #4