I have a 1720 and it is running Windows 7 with no problems or issues. I would think that the 1721 would have no issues either. Go to Microsoft and download the upgrade advisor and it will tell you if you can run it.

Thanks for the reply. I ran the advisor and it came up with 4 possible issues.

1 ATI Radeon X1270 Driver

2 Ricoh MMCHost Controller

3 Ricoh xD Picture Card Controller

4 Ricoh Memory Stick Host Controller

I do't know if they will be major issues or just updates. I have tried looking for the radeon graphics controller updates and there don't seem to be any for windows7. I hope this will not bea problem.

I'm also thinking of installing windows 7 on a new hard drive and keeping my original as a backup. I'm not sure how I can install it on the new drive using the upgrade verion on windows 7 without reinstalling vista on the new drive. 

For the ATI driver you can either use the Vista driver or let Windows 7 find it for you during install. Here are a few links you could try: LINK1  LINK2    LINK3

For the Ricoh I used the driver from Vista and it works just fine.

I also verified that the Alps (touchpad) driver from the Vostro 1720 works.  LINK 

As for installing a new HDD that is a good idea. You can do a clean install without having to install Vista first. If anything it will ask you for the Vista key wich you can find either on the bottom of the laptop od under the battery.

Thanks for to help dcgtls. I think with this information I will try to upgrade after I purchase a new hard drive. If I run into any problems I can always go back to the original drivemin just a few minutes of work.

Hey, I'm trying to upgrade from Vista to Windows 7, but at the beginning of the install I get the error message saying W7 wont upgrade because of the bios (v A10) and I have to contact the manufacturer. 

On the Dell site,  I can't find a newer bios.  Any ideas?

Steve Allen

Hi Steve,

I have not started my update yet. Through all the research I've done, I have not seen anyone comlain about a BIOS issue.The latest version for the 1721 is version A07. If I am reading your post correctly, you have version A10. Where are you reading the version from? You could always try to install A07.

Peter Giorgetti

Steve has a 1720 and the newest bios is A09. I have A09 on my 1720 and have had no problem installing with that Bios. I had spoken with him via PM and told him what I had done and my results. I have not heard back from him yet.

Peter,

During the Windows upgrade is where I was getting the notice, which was confusing to me. I redownloaded the A07 BIOS ugrade, and re-ran it. Windows 7 is now up and running. I running the drill of getting all the peripherals loaded and running.

Thanks.

Thanks also to dcgtls

I am attempting to upgrade our Dell Inspiron 1721 from Windows Vista Premium to Windows 7  Home Premium.  Went thru the Windows 7 upgrade advisor and fixed or took note of the things there.  I went on to start the upgrade and soon came up with the following message during the install:

Upgrading Windows will affect the following features:

• • Windows Mail is no longer included in Windows; however your e-mail files and settings will still be available after the upgrade. To send and receive e-mail you will need to install a new e-mail program. You can get e-mail programs from other software manufacturers or from the Microsoft website.
  • 
    
    

Upgrading Windows will affect the following devices and/or programs:

• These devices might not work properly after the upgrade. Before upgrading, we recommend updating the drivers for these devices. Cancel the upgrade, open Control Panel and search for "update device drivers", or go to the device manufacturer's website to search for updated drivers.

•  
  • • Storage controllers: AMD RAID Console

After seeing this I aborted the upgrade.  I checked the Dell site and saw that this Inspiron 1721 is not on the list of Windows 7  update list.

I am wondering about the part about the Storage controllers:  AMD RAID console and  if AMD will or has put out updated drivers to address this issue.

To my knowledge I did not see any there.  I am planning on contacting AMD after the holidays (as they are closed for the holidays) and see what they have

to say or what they can do to address this issue.

I believe the 1720 configuration is different from the  1721