Windows 7: Need some advice...

Hello again, recently, my PC is acting all weird again so I have decided that I am going to format it and I was thinking of using 64-bit Windows 7.

And, I have heard quite many issues with 64-bit but still I would like to give this a try since I have nothing to lose and well, something to show off to my friends. XD

I am wondering before I go for it, I need some advice on the following because this is my first try.

1.) I have 4 GB of RAM, will this be the minimium?
2.) I have seen some threads saying that their 64-bit OS can't read their RAM more than 3.25 GB. Will that happen to me also?
3.) IF I can't find my drivers and all, can I use 32-bit drivers for them?
4.) Can I install 32-bit softwares on 64-bit OS?
5.) Lastly, the most important question, I can check my WEI's score and they said that my PC is 64-bit capable. Can I trust them or do I need to do more advance thigns to see if my PC can run 64-bit?

Sorry for being so gayish and paranoid but please help me... Thanks!!!

No problem let us know if you need further asistance

Ken J

1) You can use less than 4GB. Many people install X64 to address all of 4GB, though. There's less point to it if you don't have 4GB.

2) Possibly. Probably not. As you haven't listed your motherboard, it's hard to say.

3) No.

4) Yes. There's little 64 bit code out there. Most software is 32 bit. (X64 doesn't permit installing old 16 bit code. Some 32 bit code uses a 16 bit installer, which causes a problem. I've never seen it myself, though.)

5) You could download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor:

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - Download - Microsoft Windows

It's not foolproof, but it may be helpful.

One worry about upgrading to Windows 7 is that some vendors haven't bothered to produce drivers for their peripherals (graphics cards, sound cards, printers, etc.). This is true of of the 32 bit version, but X64 may be slightly worse. It would be wise to check the availability of drivers for all of your devices. The Upgrade Advisor may spot some problems.

One advantage of Windows 7 over Vista was that Windows 7, at launch had more built-in device drivers than Vista. Many devices didn't need additional downloads to function properly. Windows Update fills in some gaps.

Once again, thanks again for the replies.

Here are my computer specs, if I didn't copy them wrongly. Can anyone help me to check if my specs can run Windows 7 64-bit?

Acer MCP73, Dual Core Intel Core 2 Duo E4600, 2400 MHz (12 x 200)
1 GB DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM x2
NVIDIA GeForce 8400 (256 MB)
Acer P193W [19" LCD] (LAU0C0194035)
nVIDIA MCP73 - High Definition Audio Controller

Also, I will DL the Advisor tonight after I get home.
Thanks for all the help and I will be going for 64-bit after I can get my drivers. XD

Much thanks!
WDC WD32 00AAJS-22B4A SCSI Disk Device (298 GB)
WDC WD50 00AADS-00S9B SCSI Disk Device (465 GB)

That processor supports 64 bit so go for it.

1337,

Win 7 is NOT XP.

Win 7 is NOT XP.

Don't worry about fetching drivers.

What version of Win 7 will you be installing?

Please read these tutorials:
Clean Install - Prepare a drive for
Clean Install Windows 7
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

I agree with what the others have said.

Good luck & let us know how you go.

Thanks for all the help now but so far, I am having a little trouble. Sorry.

Today, I have bought a new 2 GB RAM, added into my system which will made 4 GB. Which I am getting ready for 64-bit Windows 7 OS but...

My system shows me that, 'Installed memory (RAM): 4.00 GB (Usable 3.25 GB)'? <- This is when I am still in 32-bit mode.

I have searched the forum and done this;
1.) Using msconfig to use the 'Maximum Memory' -> I tried putting my max valve (4096) and 0 but no luck.
2.) Went into my BIOS and enable 'Memory Remapping'
3.) Checked my 'Resource Monitor' and the result is;
Available: 2303
Cache: 1233
Total: 3327
Installed: 4096
-- Hardware reserved is = 769 MB
-- I have tried using onboard graphics and I have an graphics card, tried switching around them but it is the same. =C

So, I was wondering, is it because of my hardware? I don't know what hardware is using it. Is it important? If not, can I disable it? Will this still remain if I have switch to 64-bit mode? Otherwise, my money would gone down the waste because previously I have 3 GB of RAM.

So sorry for troubling again!

Windows is seeing all 4GB of Ram, "Hardware Reserved" is Ram which has been allocated to a piece of hardware (probably a graphics card)

Basically, get a graphics card with its own memory, or you the most you will be able to get is 3.25.

You can't disable it without installing a new card. I assume its on board graphics, as most proper GPU's have their own Ram. Sorry I can't be more help.

Edit: Just to show you how its working:
Total Ram - 4Gb or 4096MB (which Windows can see)
Hardware allocated Ram - 769 MB (probably graphics card)
4096-769 = 3327MB or about 3.25GB which is usable.

completely normal for a 32 bit system.