Dell Inspiron 6400

I'll give the upgrade advisor a go. 

I don't really want to be buying a new laptop just yet though I would like Windows 7 for some new Native Instruments music software I have.

You might want to run the Windows 7 upgrade advisor http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=20

It really isn't worth it to spend another $90 for the Windows 7 license on a 7-year old laptop.

Keep the Vista going until April 2017 when Microsoft will stop security updates. Then buy a new laptop.

Just ran the upgrade advisor and it seems ok.  It cannot recognise my audio device but this shouldn't be a problem as I use an external firewire device anyway.  It also cannot recognise some of my installed applications.

you can download and try Windows 7 for 30 days before it stops working

http://heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/14-windows-7-direct-download-links

you will need to install drivers for Windows 7 though the ones for Vista may work

http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/04/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=&l=en&s=bsd&docid=268873

This machine will run Windows 7 32 Bit just fine. Ensure that you have 2 GB of RAM or more installed. You can actually have 4 GB installed with 3.25 GB usable.

Follow WIndows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean install of Windows 7:

http://philipyip.wordpress.com/dell-community-forums/ 

For Windows 7 installation media use the following .isos:

http://philipyip.wordpress.com/windows-7-sp1-iso-download/ 

These include Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and should have the SATA drivers necessary for the Inspiron 6400 (you won't get the error message you have). 

For system drivers use the following:

http://philipyip.wordpress.com/unofficial-driver-sets/inspiron-laptops-windows-7/inspiron-6400-windows-7-32-bit/

Note 64 bit compatibility with this unit depends on the processor but as you are limited to a maximum of 3.25 GB of RAM either point you are best to install Windows 7 32 Bit.

Hi natakuc4

I have downloaded and tried X17-58996.iso and I am afraid I still see the installation error.  It is asking for a device driver for the CD/DVD device.   You say I shouldn't have seen this but is the driver contained under the system drivers link you have?

Thanks!

Okay I have never had to on my Inspiron 6400s however you can loading the f6flpy-x86 drivers during the install:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=2101&DwnldID=23060&ProductFamily=Software+Products&ProductLine=Chipset+Software&ProductProduct=Intel%c2%ae+Rapid+Storage+Technology+(Intel%c2%ae+RST)&lang=eng

Hi Natakuc4,

I tried this also but no joy.  The zip file contains .sys files and setup information and during the installation I point it to these files but it doesn't find what it is looking for.

What is the model of your hard drive?

Device Manager refers to it as ST9120821AS ATA Device.  Hope this helps.

Okay its a Seagate Drive:

http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/188411en

I see.  Will Dell provide such drivers?  Or is it that the SATA operation needs to be changed in the BIOS settings for auto-detection?

You can try changing the SATA operation, what is it set to just now?

Also can you check the Windows 7 media on another system? Sometimes this error also crops up due to slightly corrupt installation media.