System Upgrades
Service Manual
Ensure you reference your service manual before carrying out upgrades:
The most recommended upgrade for this system is a Solid State Drive, here is my affiliate link to Crucial here. If purchasing a SSD or Memory Upgrade please use these links as I will get a tiny bit of commission which will help fund my guides.
SSD Drive Upgrade
Memory Upgrade:
This system supports 2 GB of RAM (2×2 GB Modules). This can also be purchased using the affiliate link above.
Media Direct
Media Direct should be installed before the Operating System in order for the Media Direct Button to function correctly.
Operating System
It is recommended to install Windows 10 on this system see Windows OEM FAQs and Downloads. The Windows Vista OEM or Windows XP Product Key won't be compatible with Windows 10 Installation Media however you can run Windows 10 Unlicensed. Windows 10 will have most of the system drivers required inbuilt however you can install the Windows 7 Drivers if you have any unknown Devices in the Device Manager.
Drivers and Downloads for Windows 7
Legacy BIOS
System Utilities (Windows 7 Only)
Chipset (Windows 7)
Card Reader
Communications (Windows 7 Only)
Not all systems have a modem. If the Driver fails to install, there is no need to try and install the rest in this category.
Video (Windows 7 Only)
Input
Dell Wireless Cards
Audio (Windows 7 Only)
Install the Registry Edit and then the Audio Driver.
Registry Edit
Open up Notepad or Notepad++, copy and paste the above and save the file (as all types) ending with the extension .reg. Once done right click the reg file and run.
Add the entries to your registry before installing the Audio Driver.
Application
MediaDirect Updates
Requires installation of the Media Direct Program
I am going to use this post as a guide for my Dell upgrade to Windows 8.1. Thank you really really much! :))
Great website! Thank you for the help
Really helpful. My Inspiron 1420 was out of audio after installing Windows8.1 and I was googling for the last 2-3 days for a solution installing almost all available drivers. Now I installed the driver provided and the audio works now. Thanks
my inspiron 1420 still out of audio after installing windows 7 32bit. which audio drivers i have to install?
For WIndows 732 Bit see here although the audio driver should be the same for both 7 32 and 64 Bit:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/driver-sets/inspiron-laptops-windows-7/inspiron-1420-windows-7-32-bit/
"For Windows 8.1 the audio driver is inbuilt to the OS". Yes that is true but the speakers do not create sound.
Did you perform a clean install or an upgrade install? What is the default playback device set?
Yes fresh install of windows 8.1 64. The default playback device was set. But I managed to get the audio working by installing the reg file and the audio driver: R171786.exe
Great website.
In my Dell 1420 fresh install 8.1 x64 all your drivers run like a charm, thanks a lot
Hey thank you very much saved my life ,
I appreciate it a lot.