Windows 7: Apparently my system is both a 32 bit and a 64 bit system...?

When I run setup and select the upgrade method, the compatibility thing comes back saying;



The following issues are preventing Windows from upgrading. Cancel the upgrade, complete each task, and then restart the upgrade to continue.

• You can’t upgrade 64-bit Windows to a 32-bit version of Windows. To upgrade, obtain a 64-bit version of the installation disc, or go online to see how to install Windows 7 and keep your files and settings.
  
  
• 32-bit Windows cannot be upgraded to a 64-bit version of Windows. To upgrade, obtain a 32-bit version of the Windows installation disc.

My issue here is that I was attempting to upgrade a 64-bit Vista home premium to a 64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate. So really I shouldn't be getting this message at all.

My system is an Acer AM5620-E5203A with a few upgrades

• Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad Core Desktop Processor
• 4GB PC2-5300 DDR2 Memory
• 750GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive **Upgraded with a new 2 terabyte Hitachi harddrive** (so two hard drives)
• 16x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner
• ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro 256MB Graphics Card ** Upgraded ATI Radeon HD 5450**

Acer Aspire AM5620-E5203 Mainstream Desktop Review

Any help is appreciated. Complete wipe isn't preferable as either that means wiping the 750 gig drive (Which is a mess) or booting off my 2 terabyte drive (which means I'll have to clean it up a bit.

Welcome to Windows Seven Forum.

Press the Windows+Prt Scr key combo to bring up the System window and double-check which version of Vista you have on your system.

If it is the 32-bit version, then you can't upgrade to the 64-bit version of Win 7.

Your link
Acer Aspire AM5620-E5203 Mainstream Desktop Review
states you have 32bit Vista.

You could try a clean install: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version It is not quite the way it was intended, but it may work.

Hello ET1993, welcome to Seven Forums!


If you are in-fact using 32-bit Vista and you need to go to 64-bit Windows 7, there is no upgrade path for that and a clean install is in order, it would be best to do a complete wipe secure erase of the SSD first, have a look at these tutorials linked below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Additional Secure Erase / Wipe Information

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Are you sure the Windows 7 DVD you are using to do the upgrade is the 64 bit version? Retail boxes I believe come with both disks 32 bit and 64 bit. maybe you grabbed the wrong one? If it's OEM make sure you didn't get the wrong disk by accident.

Alright, so I'll reply in order.

@seavixen32
when I bring up the systems menu, it says 64 bit. I was under the impression that this was Microsoft though, where would you recommend I go to ask this question then?

@theog
I suppose the reviewers PC had 32 bit then. I have a 64 as seavixen there helped me confirm.

@WHS
When I run the install, it offers both an option just to upgrade, or an option for a clean install. Thanks though!

@ Bare Foot Kid
Thanks for the help, but I'm running 64bit.

@alphanumeric
While that may be true (and I checked) the issue here is the apparent paradox provided is that I can't upgrade 64 bit to 32 bit AND i can't upgrade 32 bit to 64 bit. The fact that both messages came up is what confused me and caused me to post.

Also, how do you post pictures. I don't use message boards often, and tried to post a screen shot of my system window but all i got was a long URL.

Here you go mate; it would still be best to do a wipe and clean install, less isues in the long-run.

How to Upload and Post a Screenshot and File in Seven Forums

I realize this is a year old now, but I could really use some help for this same issue. I have searched the internet high and low for a solution and have found nothing. I have a computer that is giving me the exact same error message (Attached a screenshot). I am trying to fix an issue with .NET 3.5 which is built into windows 7 but when i try and run sfc /scannow it wont work. After doing a large amount of research and trying a number of things i am left with a repair installation of windows which i apparently cannot do. A clean install is not completely out of the question but i would rather leave that for an absolute last resort as it requires a large amount of work to get this computer back to where it was. Thank you so much in advance for any help at all!

Try another installer from the Repair Install tutorial pink Warning box.

If it errs again as a DVD, then write it to flash stick using Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool.