Inspiron 1521 – Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 32 Bit – The Unofficial Windows 10 Reinstallation Guide

This model and Operating System is not supported by Dell.

Legacy BIOS

See Updating the BIOS.

Recommended hardware Upgrades

SSD – Solid State Drives

This unit accepts a 2.5″ Form Factor SATA SSD see Upgrading to a Solid State Drive

It is recommended to upgrade it to 4 GB of RAM

Crucial Part: http://uk.crucial.com/gbr/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Dell/inspiron-1521

Refer to the Service Manual when performing hardware upgrades.

Media Direct

This is a Media Direct system and the Media Direct partition should be setup before installing Windows 7 see Preparing your Hard Drive: Setting Up Media Direct.

Windows OS

Unofficial Free Upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 10 (also works with Windows XP).

OS Updates

WSUS Offline Update (Windows 7/8.1 only)

System Utilities

Dell System Software (Windows 7 only)

Chipset

AMD 6-Series Chipset
- 1. Integrated Motherboard Graphics
- 2. AMD 6-Series Chipsets
- 3. All 6-Series Chipsets
- 4. Windows 7 32 Bit
Ricoh Card Reader

Video

AMD Legacy Driver
- 1. Integrated Motherboard Graphics
- 2. Radeon X12xx Series
- 3. Radeon X1250
- 4. Windows Vista 32 Bit
ATI X1270X Microsoft Update Catalog* + Add to Basket Microsoft Update Catalog 8.533.1.0 pci\ven_1002&dev_791f&subsys_01311025
AMD X1270X Dell Vista Driver http://ftp.dell.com/video/R172963.exe 8.423

* See instructions on using the Microsoft Update Catalog and install drivers via the Device Manager.

Please comment if this legacy driver works as its the X1250X and not the X1270X but the installer may include drivers for both or if the Dell driver works or whether the driver from the Microsoft Update Catalog works the best.

Communications

Input