Unplug any extra USB peripherals and give it another try.  Any error messages?

can I enquire if during set up you use F6 to install the sata driver that's available from here?

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R154200&SystemID=INS_PNT_PM_1720&servicetag=&os=WLH&osl=en&deviceid=11530&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=1&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=41&fileid=205611

thanks for you replies. 

 

1. i don't get an error message - it just freezes. i tried again with my mouse unplugged - same result. it freezes.

 

2. i'm not sure when exactly i should press F6 to install the data driver. the laptop isn't connected to the internet and during the installation of vista i don't see any options to install anything else before it's finished.

 

can you help further?

when you first enter vista setup it gives you the option on-screen to press F6 to install scsi/raid drivers.
you need to press F6 then and setup will look for drivers on an usb memory stick or a floppy if you have an attached usb floppy drive.

vista by default will only show you the driver files you need from the memory stick or floppy drive.

try a factory restore

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&dl=false&l=en&s=gen&docid=298A2E89689E13C2E040A68F5B280AA4&doclang=en&cs

I just checked the link provided above and apparently we need to reinstall media direct first (the support technician never mentioned that part).  I'll follow the troubleshooting steps from that link...it also mentions installing a driver prior to installing the OS using the drivers and resources CD if the installation fails....I'll post whether or not i got it to work.

I also purchased an Insprion 1720 (right before Christmas - didn't actually receive until early january) and I was having problems with my laptop giving me stop error messages and restarting itself at random times.  I have a few cases where I contacted Dell support and each time they told me it wouldn't happen again...the last time it happened they "determined" it had nothing to do with the hardware and that I should restore the laptop back to factory settings...I told them that I began having the stop errors prior to me installing ANYTHING on the computer...so I was asked to reinstall the OS using the disks they sent with the computer.

 

I've tried re-installing from the DVD 3 times and each time I get stuck on "Completing Installation"...first time I got the black screen, 2nd time I just turned the thing off after 1 hour and 40 minutes and now I'm on my third attempt...I've been stuck on completing installation for the past 40 minutes...I'm going to let it go until I get the black screen again...I'm in contact with a dell support technician - still waiting on a reply.

 

I also believed there was something wrong with the disk...were you able to resolve?

Hi - I know this thread is old, but I also have an Inspiron 1720 and the exact same issue when reinstalling Vista from the Dell DVD.  Was it simply a matter of loading the hard dirve drivers?  What exact steps did you take to get there?

Thanks -

Joe