7 ultimate 64bit, Dell, & drivers...

**BeSiege82** · 09-14-2010, 01:31 AM

Guys, I am looking into installing Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit on my Dell Inspiron 6400. I have a copy of 7 sitting around and I am going to use it. The hardware meets requirements for 7, but I am concerned about the ability for the laptop to run the hardware properly.

Will I be able to find drivers for my laptop's hardware?

Will the drivers from the hardware manufacturers work for the laptop's hardware now that the computer has a new OS installed?

Note: for any of you who have never dealt with Dell before, Dell tends to make Dell specific drivers for the hardware installed inside their computers and they also tend to neglect updating the drivers.

**Acreo Aeneas** · 09-14-2010, 11:57 AM

Check Dell's support website to see if they have Win7 specific drivers for your laptop. If not, then see if they have Vista drivers. Failing that, you could try to force XP drivers to work in Win7, but that's a hit-or-miss as some just crap out just on the install.

**BeSiege82** · 09-14-2010, 06:42 PM

Hey, could I just use the hardware manufacture's drivers like the ATI drivers that I can download from AMD's site?

**Acreo Aeneas** · 09-14-2010, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by BeSiege82

Hey, could I just use the hardware manufacture's drivers like the ATI drivers that I can download from AMD's site?

For Dell components you cannot (often times causes a range of weird problems). For components you purchased separately, yes.

**War.mongeR1** · 09-14-2010, 10:43 PM

Microsoft did such massive and extensive beta testing, that the support for older computers is actually pretty outstanding. I put Win 7 64-bit on my 3+ year old HP laptop. My dad put Win 7 32-bit on his ancient 7+ year old Sony Vaio laptop. All is well, and both computers are running beautifully. It really breathed new life into his old Sony, and Windows 7 automatically located all necessary drivers upon installation. Been running like a champ since it's release last November.

I'd say it's a safe bet your Dell will be just fine with it.

**Ven** · 09-15-2010, 12:15 PM

My wife has/had a Vista os on her toshiba, I went to the site and they actually had a program that you installed once windows 7 was up and running that put all the Toshiba features onto the new OS. It was pretty cool and basically made the laptop like it was purchased with win 7 minus the bloatware. One note you should make is that I had to do a bios update PRIOR to the windows 7 install. The dell site should have any and all notices about your particular laptop and what is necessary to make the move to WIN7

**BeSiege82** · 09-15-2010, 02:31 PM

This is awesome to hear, because I was concerned that I would have problems running things correctly.

**=DdogG=** · 09-18-2010, 01:55 AM

a 6400 should have come with vista installed, and as such, if there is something that 7 misses a driver for, you can easily download the vista driver and use it - as 7 is running on the same core as vista. I know there is an unknown device that is a pita to find a driver for on the 6400... I think it winds up being the smb controller.

**BeSiege82** · 09-24-2010, 04:55 PM

Dog, my 6400 came with XP and I am now using a 64 bit OS. Does this mean I could use a gfx card driver meant to be used with a 32 bit OS?

**=DdogG=** · 09-24-2010, 11:02 PM

the support site should have drivers in x64... also search an e1505. same laptop. do you have the x1300, or the x1400? actually, either way, you can use the omega drivers. I used them when I had that laptop. worked great.

**BeSiege82** · 09-25-2010, 01:55 AM

I have the X1400, and the omega drivers are 3rd party drivers not made by ATI, no?

**Acreo Aeneas** · 09-25-2010, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by BeSiege82

I have the X1400, and the omega drivers are 3rd party drivers not made by ATI, no?

Omega drivers are NOT made by ATI. They are actually tweaked and hacked ATI drivers provided by the community as a "performance" boost for the various Radeons out there in gamer rigs.