Very brief guide to drivers for upgrading a Dell Inspiron 1525 from Vista 32-bit to Vista 64-bit or Windows 7 64-bit.
Very brief guide to drivers for upgrading a Dell Inspiron 1525 from Vista 32-bit to Vista 64-bit or Windows 7 64-bit.
The Dell Inspiron 1525 is an extremely popular model of laptop and is a very good choice for a Dual-Core cpu at a relatively good price point. However, it has one very big drawback, it ships with only a 32 bit OS. Simply put, a dual-core cpu is a 64-bit processor and the operating system that comes with the laptop is Microsoft Vista Home, which operates at 32-bits. You’ve paid for four lanes of highway, but you’re only using two! Upgrading to Windows XP 64 bit, Vista 64 bit, or even the Windows 7 beta (test version) 64 bit operating system is the only way to take advantage of the additional speed you’ve paid for. And it is worth it.
Dell does not support, suggest, or recommend upgrading your OS to anything other than the factory installed OS. So if you upgrade, you’re on your own. If you’re unsure of how this may affect your warranty, I strongly suggest you contact Dell before doing any modification of your OS. I also highly suggest you back up all of your data, either to an online storage spot or to cd/dvd discs where you can easily access it after the upgrade is complete. (NOTE: I recommend you make that a bi-weekly, if not a bi-daily, habit) Backup! Backup! Backup! Next make sure you have all of the original CD’s and installation material that came with your laptop in case you want to restore the original settings later on. There are hundreds of online guides that will walk you through the upgrade process. Google it and you should be able to find one that works for you.
Dell does not offer a readily available list of drivers for 64-bit operating systems. The purpose of this here is simply to give a list of drivers that I downloaded that worked for me. After doing a fresh, clean install of Vista 64-bit, I got out the Driver Installation disk that came with my Inspiron 1525. On that disk, there are several drivers that are already 64-bit compatible. Insert the disk and select Vista 64 bit under Operating System. Click on extract for each driver you want and under the View pane it will tell you if it is 64-bit compatible. Some drivers under the Vista 32 bit section will also show if they are compatible with 64 bit. Install each of the drivers that meet the criteria. Alternatively, you can go to the Dell Website and enter your Service Tag number (from the back of the laptop) and Dell will provide you a list of all drivers that shipped with your laptop. Click on each one and select the Compatibility option to see if it is 64 bit or not. If it is, download and install.
As I said before, Dell does not have a readily available list of drivers that may be needed after a clean install of a 64 bit OS. Here I will offer the drivers that I hunted down that worked for my installation of both Vista 64 bit and Windows 7 beta 64 bit. These drivers are not necessarily listed as being for the Inspiron 1525, but I have installed them and they provide the same functionality on the 1525 as their 32-bit counterparts. To find them, simply go to Dell’s website, in the drop down box next to the search bar select “Support and Help” and type the R number in the search bar. The driver should be the first one listed. Click and download. Once downloaded, double click to install. That simple.
Downloaded Drivers:
R153910
Sigmatel STAC 92xx C-Major HD Audio 64bit
R165805
Dell TouchPad / Pointing Stick 64bit
R166187
Intel Mobile Chipset 32bit/64bit*
R166188
Ricoh r5c833 Card 32bit/64bit*
R166201
Intel Turbo Memory 32bit/64bit*
R173082
Creative Labs Integrated Webcam 32bit/64bit*
R174292
Dell Wireless 1395 WLAN MiniCard*
R181307
Java Runtime Enviornment jre-6u5*
R182065
Dell Recommended Vista Power Management Settings 32bit/64bit
R182249
Dell QuickSet 64bit*
R167854
Marvell 88E80XX 10/100 Ethernet Controller 32bit/64bit*
*available on the Driver CD
Additional variations you may wish to try:
R196522
Dell QuickSet 64bit
R198006
QuickSet 64bit
R200495
Dell QuickSet 64bit
R180762
Dell QuickSet 32bit
R163853
Dell QuickSet 64bit
R174292
Dell Wireless 1490 Dual-Band WLAN MiniCard 32bit/64bit
Important:
Dell Support Center does not work with 64 bit OS.
Dell DataSafe Online works, but not very well. For online backup, try MOXY.
Dell Media Direct 3.5 may be permanently deleted from your system if you upgrade and may not fully re-install even when performing a complete re-install via the reinstallation disk provided by Dell.
A few other things that I’d like to mention. First, is that you may find it difficult for some of your applications or software to work with a 64 bit OS. Try Compatibility mode. This will work for probably 60% - 80% of all software. For the rest, it’s hit or miss. Check the softwares’ website for suggestions. Secondly, if your Inspiron 1525 has a built in webcam, try this: When installing, change the default installation directory from “C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell” to just “C:\Program Files\Dell”. This simple change was all that was needed to fix a very pesky problem which was preventing me from using the Webcam. And if you find any other software giving you a hard time, ie: ScreenSavers, this solution may well work for them too. Third, you may need to re-install the Sigmatel STAC 92xx C-Major HD Audio driver after you install the webcam to get the built-in microphone to work correctly. During one install, I had to do this, during another I didn’t. So I just offer it up as a suggestion if needed.
NOTE: You can obtain a free test version of Windows 7 beta from Microsoft, but they do warn that its license expires in August of 2009 and you will need to uninstall it after that point. Therefore, I only recommend using Windows 7 for those who are technically inclined. Stick with Vista if you don’t want to, or don’t like to, install a clean copy of the OS every few months. I will strongly urge you to purchase a copy of Windows 7 once it becomes commercially available as I have almost nothing but good things to say about the beta (test) version. I’m pretty sure the bag of chips will be included in the price.
Toutes les réponses
- Thank you for sharing it.
- Hi Shawshine
Excellent post, thank you for taking the time to share.
Regards,
Thank You for testing Windows 7 Beta
Ronnie Vernon MVP - I'm need this Drivers for windows 7 32-64bit
- I also have Dell 1525 with Dell 1395 Wifi Card. My Wifi turns off automaticaly and I need to restart machine. This can happen in 5 minutes to 30 minutes. I am using Windows 7 beta.
Please Help.
Vinay Chopra I also have Dell 1525 with Dell 1395 Wifi Card. My Wifi turns off automaticaly and I need to restart machine. This can happen in 5 minutes to 30 minutes. I am using Windows 7 beta.
Please Help.
Vinay Chopra
Im in the same boat as you. Using the x64 version of 7100. I was wondering if anyone has found a fix or a new driver.- Try uninstalling the Dell Driver and installing the new driver that Microsoft supplies on it's Windows Update page. Then go to the device manager, select network adapter. Click on the wireless adapter, and select the Power Management Tab and uncheck the "Allow the computer to turn-off this device to save power". Click OK. The driver version I'm using from MS is:
Dell Wireless 1395 WLAN Mini-Card
Driver Provider: Microsoft
Driver Date: 10/1/2008
Driver Version: 4.176.75.18
Digital Signer: Microsoft Windows - I have windows 7 ultimate 32-bit & have dell inspiron 1525
I want video driver for my laptop ..
plz help me as soon as possible. - Thanks for this list. I have made the following changes:
32-64bit: SIGMATEL STAC 92XX C-Major HD Audio_ 27.4.2009_A03 R218148
64bit: CONEXANT D330 modem driver_19.3.2009_7.75.00.51_R207055
32bit: Intel Turbo Memory_4.1.2008_R166201 (only install if you want to use Windows ReadyBoost en ReadyDrive (USB enabled), see also http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/itm/
32 Dell 5520 Vodafone mobile_8.11.2007_R162200
FIRST R159805 (Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Module (Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR), v.BTW Radio On) -> this makes sure Bluetooth is enabled
THEN 32-64 Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR) Module_4.1.2008_ A00_R140135
Don't install the following drivers, because (after update) Windows 7 installs newer drivers!
32-64bit: Intel PROWireless 3945ABG_4.1.2008_A05_R164259
32 Marvell 88E80XX 10100 Ethernet Controller_4.1.2008_A01_R167854
I'm not sure why I should install:
- Dell Touchpad
- Java Runtime Environment (what piece of hardware does this driver manage?)
- Dell recommended Vista Power
- Dell Quickset
I think you can also identify your hardware (e.g. using Sisoft Sandra) and get the latest driver directly from the manufacturer. Or why shouldn't I?
Please post your own best/latest drivers for Windows 7 64bit!- ModifiéHond70 dimanche 12 juillet 2009 22:23
- I have windows 7 ultimate 32-bit & have dell inspiron 1525
I want video driver for my laptop ..
plz help me as soon as possible.
bcoz games r running in low resolution.. - Hey RJ Rohan,
This topic is about the 64-bit version of Vista and Windows 7. So you're question is a bit off topic.
But just to serve you: surf to Dell.com, click on drivers, look up inspiron 1525, choose your language and choose Vista 32bit.
The video driver is on the list. How easy can life be...
Not sure what driver to choose? Fill in your service tag (see the bottom of your laptop) and you'll get your specific drivers! - Thanks for the share,
I have done the exact same thing with my Vostro 1500 but with XP 64bit instead and I am only short one notch on my drivers list, Ricoh R5C833. I know you have provided the R166188 but that won't do for XP 64bit. I am desparate, can you or anyone lend me a hand here?
Thanks a whole bunch in advance. - Dear StingerNash,
Try R201214 (Ricoh R5C833 for XPS M1530 but for Vista 64bit). Thank you man, it worked like a charm! Now only if I had the driver for the touch pad (Synaptics Pointing Device) and a Dell Quick Set Application that can run on Windows XP 64 Bit and my vostro 1500, I am all set!
Unfortunately I ran a search on them both and despite downloading many, none appeared to be effective. I would be most grateful if any one could help me out with those as well.
Thank you once again.
- This is the latest Quickset driver: R216118
Just type: http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?s=gen&c=us&l=en&k=dell+quickset+driver&cat=sup&p=2 and see for yourself.
And http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?s=gen&c=us&l=en&cs=&k=Synaptics+Pointing+Device+driver&cat=sup for the touchpad.
I hope you have learned to look for yourself now.
Good luck! - Thank you shawnshine for the great post!
I have a Dell 1525 and wanted to know if it can do x64bit. Now I know it can, and were to get the drivers.
Helps so much! I have windows 7 ultimate 32-bit & have dell inspiron 1525
You can check directly on the Intel website.
I want video driver for my laptop ..
plz help me as soon as possible.http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/detect.htm . Use the internet explorer and not google chrome. It will detect your chipcard and suggest the driver to download and install.-Abhi- Just wanted to say a BIG thank you for putting this information out there!
I just installed Windows 7 Home 64bit onto my wife's Inspiron 1525 and so far it's GOOD!!!
The default Vista 32bit was suffering from the inability to display Google or Yahoo images and that is now fixed! The infor to get the Alps touch pad working helped get the scroll functionality back, and the webcam and built-in mic notes you provided made getting Skype working pretty much a breeze.
So once again thanks for this great article and great resource!!!
Cheers,
Scott - I have windows 7 64bits 7600 on a dell inspiron 1525 and
when i put it in standby and i want to start the pc, the will not start and nothing will be showing .. i see that the pc is starting because i see the light on the bord going on but nothing is showing on.
Is there a solution ?? - Thank you man, I've been looking for this EVERYWHERE. I love you :D!
- I have the same problem with taking forever to come out of standby. The harddrive led blinks for about 2 minutes with a blank screen. It eventually comes back to life. I usually press the power button a couple times and close and open the lid.
- Get Dell to work on the Dell 355 Bluetooth driver
The only driver that doesn't work well on the 64-bit version of Windows 7 is the Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR driver: R140135
Adding bluetooth devices trigger errors in the device manager. I was able to send files to my nokia phone using bluetooth, but with a lot of tweaking.
See this Google query how many people suffer from this.
Now there might be a solution. Please promote this question on the ideastorm project site of Dell! This is a very good way to get Dell to solve this problem!
Please surf to Dells ideastorm project and promote this idea. - I have upgraded my inspiron 1525 to widows 7 professional 64 bit. The info you provided really helped me. Thank you, I really appreciate it.
- Huge thanks for this post. I upgraded our 1525 to win 7 home premium 64bit last night and the only issue i can see is the scrolling on the touch pad isn't working. Google search this morning brought me here and I look forward to installing the driver and completing the install. tried Dell tech support last night and they were not very helpful and quite down on the moving from 32 to 64 bit.
THANKS AGAIN!!! - First i would like to thank you for this usefull gide. I'm using Windows 7 x64 Professional on my dell with 4 GB RAM and i'm having some issues:- Watching movies in windows media player is slower than vista, for exaple watch a divx movie and do alt+tab, wmp will get slugish.- When i'm compiling an ASP.NET project locally in VS 2008 the computer crawls...this didn't happen with windows vista too.- When waking up from hibernation/standby the computer sometimes crashes, the screen gets all messed up (faulty intel graphics driver?)I have a few more but these are the most anyoing,any one experiencing problems in their inspiron 1525?Thanks.
Carlos Ferreira - See my post above (July 21) for the correct driver for your touch pad
- Strange. All I hear is that Windows 7 on Inspirons run very well. Have you run some diagnostic tools? Is your computer getting hot? Is Vista still running? And no problems there?
I suggest you check the logs and do some research on Google. - As far as i can tell, what's making my dell crash in windows 7 after standby is the graphics drivers, i was using the latest from intel for windows 7 x64.
Now i'm using windows vista x64 for testing , installed it yesterday just had a bluescreen a few minutes ago "page fault in nonpaged area"... i'm really unlucky with my machine.
Carlos Ferreira - re: I'm not sure why I should install:
- Dell Touchpad
If you use an external mouse you
wont be able to turn off the touchpad then every now and then you will hit the touchpad
messing up your ty p in g
