Exhibit 32.1
                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual report on Form 10K of ATEL Cash  Distribution Fund
VII, LP, (the  "Partnership")  for the period  ended  December 31, 2003 as filed
with the Securities and Exchange  Commission on the date hereof (the  "Report"),
and  pursuant  to 18  U.S.C.  ss.1350,  as  adopted  pursuant  to  ss.906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley  Act of 2002, I, Dean L. Cash,  Chief  Executive  Officer of ATEL
Financial  Services,  LLC,  general partner of the  Partnership,  hereby certify
that:

1. The Report fully complies with the  requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ; and

2. The  information  contained in the Report  fairly  presents,  in all material
respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership.

Date:        3/26/2004



 /s/ Dean Cash
-----------------
Dean L. Cash
President and Chief Executive
Officer of General Partner