Unable to upgrade to windows 7

Wellsdog · 05 Nov 2009

Hi,

I am trying to upgrade from Windows Vista 32 bit to Windows 7 32 bit but when booting from the upgrade disk it has problems finding my HDD's and says that windows cannot be installed on them once found.

When choosing a clean install from loading the disk from within Vista it starts to install and then when it restarts it brings up a blue screen saying that windows cannot be installed and is I have installed any new HDD's or controllers then on uninstall them.

When trying to upgrade at first it was complaining about the ATI ACHI Compatable RAID controller not being compatable but now it starts to do the install and then on restart it does the same as the clean install.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kegobeer · 05 Nov 2009

There are several excellent sticky threads in this board that deal with installation issues.

https://www.sevenforums.com/installat...-problems.html

Tutorial quick reference list for Installing Windows 7

Doing a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

If you haven't done so, review them and see if they answer any of your questions.

Ryan2320 · 05 Nov 2009

First Try this:
I would try booting into the CD.. Just insert the CD and Restart your computer..
it then will boot into the CD and then you will be able to install Windows 7..

If that does not work you need to check to see if Dell Supports Windows 7 on your computer..I see you have a Dell Inspiron 1721 I looked at the BIOS update and it does not have a recent update. That is why I ask to check with Dell about this model and see if they support Windows 7 on it..

Hope this Helps..

EDIT: I just checked online with Dell and to what I am seeing (according to Dell) is that they do not support Windows 7 on your current laptop sorry

.. Here is the Link.. Dell Inspiron 1721 I would still contact them about this issue and see what they can do..

Wellsdog · 05 Nov 2009

Just had a look and thats annoying... Might give Dell a ring and find out when it will be supported! Thanks mate.

Also now when startin windows it asks if I want to boot into Vista or Microsoft setup, anyway of stopping this?

Wellsdog · 05 Nov 2009

Where do I check for BIOS updates?

Thanks again

kegobeer · 05 Nov 2009

Dell didn't provide any Windows 7 drivers for my e1705, but I didn't have any issues installing the OS. Don't give up just yet - review those links I posted and start troubleshooting!

You can visit the Dell website and download drivers and BIOS updates.

Qdos · 05 Nov 2009

Try installing twice. If you've performed a clean install from an upgrade disk then setup will not have recognised any legitimate existing OS being present.

Start Setup again, from within your unactivated W7 installation. When it has run it will have created a folder in your C:\ partition called 'Windows.old' and should activate second time over.

After it has activated you can delete 'Windows.old' and that's all there is to it, lots of people have discovered this works.

Ryan2320 · 05 Nov 2009

Wellsdog said:

Just had a look and thats annoying... Might give Dell a ring and find out when it will be supported! Thanks mate.

Also now when startin windows it asks if I want to boot into Vista or Microsoft setup, anyway of stopping this?

About your Boot configuration go into Vista and click start and search msconfig and see if you have that in the boot tab and select it and delete it.

And to check your BIOS update here (LINK TO DELL)..although it has not been updated for a while..you might acually have it already.. To check click start and type System Information

Hope this Helps..

Wellsdog · 06 Nov 2009

Thanks Ryan, I didn't have the latest BIOS but I have now. Still unable to install, will get onto dell ASAP.

Thanks again all...

Dave76 · 06 Nov 2009

I would try what kegobeer suggested.

All of your vista 32bit drivers will work in Win7.

Once you get it installed, let it run for a while, Win7 will install drivers but you may need to change a couple. I think I changed two.

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Dell to come up with the Win7 drivers for your computer.

Dell doesn't support Win7 for mine either, I've been running the RC x64 since May and now Ult x64, both clean installs. No driver problems.
If the Dell ACHI/RAID controller doesn't work, get your ACHI RAID controller from Intel.

If you want to do an Upgrade install, get the latest Vista drivers from Dell and install all of them. Install the BIOS update.
Then try the upgrade again.

Put the AHCI/RAID controller on a USB stick and add them during the install, you will need to do a Custom/Clean install to do this. Boot the DVD and choose Custom.

Let us know if you have any questions.