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    Installing Windows 7 on Inspiron 1520?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Kloster, Aug 12, 2009.

  1. Kloster

    Kloster Notebook Enthusiast

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    I got it with Vista, I later downgraded to XP using the info in this thread:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=165176&highlight=windows+7

    I searched for Windows 7 on this board and didnt find anything...

    So now I ask, how do I install Windows 7 on my laptop?
    For XP I had to download several drivers, im assuming I need to do the same for Windows 7 but are those drivers out yet?

    Thanks in advance.
     
    Kloster, Aug 12, 2009
    #1
  2. karan1003

    karan1003 Notebook Evangelist

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    If the drivers haven't been released already, then Vista drivers will work, so you don't have to worry about that.
     
    karan1003, Aug 12, 2009
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  3. Kloster

    Kloster Notebook Enthusiast

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    Has anybody installed windows 7 on their inspiron without any problems?

    I guess Ill have a go at installing it and see what comes up, i was hoping that someone that has done it before could give me a heads up if he/she encountered any problems.

    thanks
     
    Kloster, Aug 31, 2009
    #3
  4. SomeFormOFhuman

    SomeFormOFhuman has the dumbest username.

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    No problems here on my Inspiron 1720. Simply download the RTM/RC version(s) burn it to a bootable DVD ISO, tell your Inspiron to boot from CD, then hit the install button (Format or create a partition) and you're all set. Override or keep your XP, that'll be up to you.

    Drivers? Nah. Use Win7's Windows Update. It's good enough. Your wireless should work out of the box after installing Win7. The update will download every hardware component for you, from your touchpad to your webcam to your GPU drivers, sound, motherboard, etc. But for GPU drivers I'd recommend the ones from Nvidia or LV2G.

    And if you're still uncertain, just use the Vista drivers provided by Dell. It works, but I never do that to both my machines. It runs very fine for the past half a year.
     
    SomeFormOFhuman, Aug 31, 2009
    #4
  5. millermagic

    millermagic Rockin the pinktop

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    Win7 will find all of the drivers out of the box? Sounds quite easy to install, actually. So much that I might get started on it tonight!
     
    millermagic, Aug 31, 2009
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  6. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    Most, not all drivers. Windows 7 is extremely good at recognizing hardware, and as long as the manufacturer has Microsoft approved drivers online, Windows Update will automatically download and install them.
     
    Lithus, Aug 31, 2009
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  7. Fragilexx

    Fragilexx Get'cha head in the game

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    It found everything so far for my Inspiron 1545 bar my Dell 5510 Mobile broadband card. All internals (including the GPU) were picked up straight away (or on first update), and even slightly more obscure hardware like my external sound card, Saitek joystick, Steering wheel, pedals, flight yoke, throttle quadrant, laserjet printer etc all found with no problems. Once I flashed my HSDPA expresscard back to the Merlin model it really is (using another notebook), windows 7 picked it up. Just didn't want to pick it up when it was disguised as the Dell 5510.
     
    Fragilexx, Aug 31, 2009
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  8. wisdomsword

    wisdomsword Newbie

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    After the installation of Windows 7 on your 1520, do those media buttons (mute, volume up, volume down, play/pause, forward, backward, stop) below the touch-pad still work?

    Also do I need to do fresh install instead of upgrade if I am having Vista Home Basic on my 1520?

    Thanks!
     
    wisdomsword, Aug 12, 2010
    #8