Windows 7 for Vista?

hello, need some advice.

I have the ill fortune of owning an Alienware M17 Area 51 laptop. I paid close to 3grand for it a few years back when it came out. I'm trying to hold on to it for as long as i can. The trouble is that I installed Windows 7, not realizing that my hardwares base components were designed for Windows Vista. So finding compatible drivers and what not has been close to impossible. Before I make the hard decision of rolling back to Windows Vista, I was wondering if there was anything [like a patch maybe] that would help me to continue running Windows 7?

If the system ran Windows VIsta fine, then it should run Windows 7 okay as well. Your service code will show you what drivers Dell has available. If they aren't available on Dell's website, you should be able to get them through Windows Update or through the individual hardware manufacturer's websites...such as Intel, Realtek, etc.

hey thanks for the reply. Like i said it's an Alien M17 not to be mistaken for a M17x. I added some of the specs to my profile. Some drivers I was able to get, or should I say get to work. such as my audio card, i finally got my headphones working. I get pretty good display resolution from the Windows 7 display driver, but i'm sure my CrossFire X is not enabled. [which is pretty much the thing that makes an Alienware -an Alienware]. I can't get my SD card reader to work. It's an SDA Standard Compliant Host controller. I'm still searching for my security drivers. I have AlienSense Facial Recognition Software and Biometric Fingerprint Reader.

I just don't understand why the device manager say that all the current drivers are up to date when they are obviously not. When I look up the spec for my computer on-line it specifically says Windows Vista.

My Alienware updating will be an on going thing. I will look into your suggestions. This may sound like I'm changing the topic, but it is somewhat related. This PC I've had more than 3 yrs. I paid close to 3grand. that's about a grand a year. It will serve as a good backup. When I get home from deployment in 3 months. I think I will buy a new laptop. You all seem very knowledgeable. What do you recommend would be ideal for someone who likes to use a lot of graphic software (All Adobe software, Autodesk, etc.) I like to use 3D software, animating that requires a lot of power or I'll be rendering all day. I'm also into photography and video. I like the convenience of a laptop, but I need power. What laptops are out there that handle graphic software well, have a good battery life, and of course will stand the test of time. by that I mean Windows 8, 9, 10... I thought Alienware was a good choice at the time, but the way it looks now, it's like ZTruker put it, "I got the Meatball." I don't mind spending the money, but I don't want to make the same mistake.

thanks again

Your best option is to get a desktop.
A $1500 desktop will have twice the amount of power as a $3000 laptop.