Windows 7 x64 vs Windows 7 x86 (Fight)

Hello all - my first post.

I hope I misunderstood the above; If I am upgrading from Windows XP Professional 32-bit to Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, am I to understand from the above that even if I select the "Custom" installation and do a clean install, I *cannot* upgrade from my XP 32-bit version to the 64-bit version of Windows 7? Say it's not so!

TIA

Gemad9

No, you understood 100% correct. YOU CAN NOT UPGRADE ANY VERSION OF 32BIT TO 64 BIT....

Gemad9 said:

Hello all - my first post.

I hope I misunderstood the above; If I am upgrading from Windows XP Professional 32-bit to Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, am I to understand from the above that even if I select the "Custom" installation and do a clean install, I *cannot* upgrade from my XP 32-bit version to the 64-bit version of Windows 7? Say it's not so!

TIA

Gemad9

You can't do an upgrade but you can do a "clean install" as you pointed out (assuming your system is capable of running a 64-bit OS).

berserker said:

You can't do an upgrade but you can do a "clean install" as you pointed out (assuming your system is capable of running a 64-bit OS).

As in "system", he refers to the processor.

Also be sure there are 64-bit drivers for your hardware (printers, scanners, fax machines, etc.)

TechOutsider said:

As in "system", he refers to the processor.

Also be sure there are 64-bit drivers for your hardware (printers, scanners, fax machines, etc.)

CPU is part of the "system" but to run a 64-bit OS, you're motherboard and BIOS also need to be 64-bit compatible, along with your CPU. System was the correct term.

berserker said:

You can't do an upgrade but you can do a "clean install" as you pointed out (assuming your system is capable of running a 64-bit OS).

OK - Paint me stupid. If you say that (in quotes above), I'm still confused. For starters, my system (processor, drivers, hardware, etc.) can accomodate a 64-bit OS so that's not a problem. Can I boot from the 64-bit Win 7 upgrade DVD (with Win XP Pro 32-bit installed on the drive, to verify that this is an upgrade) and then without having booted into the XP installation, choose the Custom option, and do a clean install of x64? Some of you are saying that the answer is no? Am I understanding correctly?

Also, can I do an x64 installation with Win 7 x64 RC even if the OS on my active drive is XP 32-bit or is it just the upgrade version that won't install over a 32-bit OS? Sorry if I sound thick!

gemad9

Gemad9 said:

OK - Paint me stupid. If you say that (in quotes above), I'm still confused. For starters, my system (processor, drivers, hardware, etc.) can accomodate a 64-bit OS so that's not a problem. Can I boot from the 64-bit Win 7 upgrade DVD (with Win XP Pro 32-bit installed on the drive, to verify that this is an upgrade) and then without having booted into the XP installation, choose the Custom option, and do a clean install of x64? Some of you are saying that the answer is no? Am I understanding correctly?

Also, can I do an x64 installation with Win 7 x64 RC even if the OS on my active drive is XP 32-bit or is it just the upgrade version that won't install over a 32-bit OS? Sorry if I sound thick!

gemad9

Hopefully, this will eliminate the confusion: You can't "upgrade" a 32-bit OS to a 64-bit one but you can wipe your hard drive with the upgrade disk and install the 64-bit OS.

The upgrade disk will recognize that you have an eligible OS (XP Pro 32-bit), wipe the disk clean and install the 64-bit W7 (assuming you choose the 64-bit flavor).

I hope this alleviates your concern.

berserker said:

Hopefully, this will eliminate the confusion: You can't "upgrade" a 32-bit OS to a 64-bit one but you can wipe your hard drive with the upgrade disk and install the 64-bit OS.

The upgrade disk will recognize that you have an eligible OS (XP Pro 32-bit), wipe the disk clean and install the 64-bit W7 (assuming you choose the 64-bit flavor).

I hope this alleviates your concern.

It does indeed and thanks. BTW I installed the 64-bit RC this evening and it set up perfectly.

Thanks for your patience.

gemad9

crdnilfan said:

CPU is part of the "system" but to run a 64-bit OS, you're motherboard and BIOS also need to be 64-bit compatible, along with your CPU. System was the correct term.

Your statement is correct but needs repeating for the in-experienced.

ALL "system" components must support 64 bit.

Processor, Motherboard and BIOS.

There are some hybrid configurations out there....

Gemad9, this is 32-to-64 bit aspect is moot anyway in your case. You cannot do an in-place upgrade of ANY flavor of XP to Windows 7, onlt Vista can be upgraded in place. All XP "upgrades" have to be done with a clean install. But as they have stated, 32 doesn't go into 64 either.

So you have a double-whammy . It's the price of progress, my friend ...