If you're performing clean install, it's not upgrade. Since you're moving from Windows Vista to Windows 7, it doesn't require special procedure in installing drivers. If Windows 7 Ultimate is also 32-bit, you can use the drivers DVD to install the drivers. If any of the drivers fail or if you're installing Windows 7 64-bit, you can download and install the drivers from Dell website. You can download and install the drivers as you normally do with any other software.

Hi there,

I did start running the setup.exe and then it gave me a message saying that the upgrade cannot be done because the BIOS has to be updated before the installation. I have performed the compatibility test from the Windows 7 upgrade advisor and the report says nothing about the BIOS update. Any suggestions ?

Use the following system drivers for Windows 7 64 Bit:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/driver-sets/inspiron-laptops-windows-7/inspiron-1720-windows-7-64-bit/

Update the BIOS and then replace the hard drive with a solid state drive before installation (recommended).

Follow my Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean Install of Windows:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/

Hellp Philip,

Thanks for the link... but the link which you have provided is for 64 bit and not for 32 bit.Also, I do not understand the need for a 'Hardware Drive replacement' ...

Thanks Anna for the link !:emotion-1:

... I'll do the BIOS update and keep you posted...

Any Info regarding the Win 7, 32 Bit Dell Inspiron 1720 drivers , which I have to install later on  ?

The Solid State Drive is a recommended upgrade, not a mandatory upgrade. The access times of a Solid State Drive are much higher than a conventional hard drive and replacing the hard drive with a solid state drive will lead to a leap in system performance.

I listed the 64 Bit drivers because I recommend installation of the 64 Bit version of Windows 7 in most cases unless you are trying to run legacy programs which don't have newer versions which support Windows 7. Anyway the 32 Bit drivers are also here:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/driver-sets/inspiron-laptops-windows-7/inspiron-1720-windows-7-32-bit/

Also, it says that , install the Media Direct if you are replacing the existing hard drive ... but I am not going to change my hard drive at the moment... I just want to 'clean install' the Win 7 after removing the existing Vista using an upgrade DVD 

Thank you Philip,

In the link that you have provided, it says that I should first set up the Media Direct before installing the Windows. But a 'clean install' does not erase the settings of the Media Direct ? 

So, if I understood you properly, I should first go ahead with the Win 7 clean install with existing drives 'format' and then install the drivers and then the Media Direct. 

I was a bit confused as the website says to install the Media Direct before you install the Win 7 ... Again, I am not yet convinced, if I should install the Media Direct, if I am not going to delete the drives or resize them. or is it just fine to load the Vista drivers ( in the CD which I have got when purchased the Dell Inspiron 1720) because the compatibility test report says it is compatible ?

Does it makes  sense, if I would first save all the drivers and the Dell Systems software in an external drive and then run them one after the other , soon after the Win 7 installation.

For the Media Direct if you securely wipe the system with DBAN or replace the hard drive you will need to set up the Media Direct Partitions by booting from the Media Direct Disk and then following the online instructions. When prompted swap for your Windows disk and power down and up your system, boot from the Windows disk and during Windows installation you do not opt to delete or resize partitions and install Windows on the largest partition.

If you are not doing the above during Windows installation do not opt to delete or resize partitions but instead format the largest partition (unless you want a Windows.old folder) and install Windows on the largest partition.

Deleting or resizing partitions during the Windows setup will mess up Media Direct and this causes a problem only if the Media Direct Button is pressed instead of the power button. 

After Windows installation install the system drivers and then the Media Direct Application.

Is there an efficient way to install the new drivers in one-go after installing the Win 7? Or do I have to download each driver / software seperately and then run, after installing the Win 7 set up ?

Also, would you be so kind to let me know, which of the long listed Dell Wireless Cards drivers are suitable for Dell Inspiron 1720, for win 7 32 bit .. I can't figure out what exactly is my Dell Wireless card 

Tell me the hardware IDs so I can identify the variants, each model has multiple variants:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/downloading-drivers-checking-hardware-ids-and-downloading-and-installing-dell-system-drivers-in-the-correct-order/checking-hardware-ids-in-the-device-manager/