32 bit --> 64 bit

Thanks for Brink's tutorial link.

I tested the Acronis boot CD and my ability to 'see' my archives on the wife's computer--success. Now it's just a matter of clearing some time to do the deed.

Thanks,

Mark

markg2 said:

So following the reply from Greg...

>>>>The answer to your macro question is: YES, you can use either 32 bit or 64 bit with each Windows 7 license.<<<<<

So I wouldn't need to 'trick' the install and MS, when I enter my same key used several years ago for the Vista-->Win7 32 bit upgrade, would remove their association of that key from the 32 bit version to a new 64 bit version?


>>>>>So if you find the 64 bit installer, save a Windows 7 backup image in addition to your Acronis, then boot the DVD to clean reinstall. <<<<<<

Clarification by (my) restatement: The 64 bit installer to which you refer is the ISO file that I've downloaded and is the Windows 7 image to which you refer--it is the image that I will burn to a DVD becoming the boot/install media that will 1) recognize that I have a valid Win7 (upgrade) install, 2) initiate the drive reformatting, perform the 64 bit install and finally request entry of the Key?

Burn the ISO to DVD using ImgBurn at 4x speed with Verify, or write to flash stick using this tool with WIn7 in dropdown: Universal USB Installer – Easy as 1 2 3 .

Upon booting it will see the prior installation and allow use of Upgrade verison key upfront, even if you then go on to use Custom>Drive Options to Delete, Create New and Format partitions.

If you wipe the HD first or repartition, you need to wait until after install to insert key and then do one of the workarounds in Brink's tutorial to activate Win7 on clean HD.

Adapt these tips to get a perfect install based on hundreds done here:
Reinstalling Windows 7

Reading your (Greg...) reply and links I'm really starting to get a lot more comfortable. However, I've got a lot of questions. Too many for one message so I'll ask a few, get a reply and ask a few more (if you(all) don't mind).

Regarding the clean install of the 64 bit OS on media. ImageBurn-->CD okay. As for the stick:

1. Is there a preferential reason to use the stick to boot install the ISO file vs a CD?

2. The link says to format the stick FAT32 to insure a clean install. Why would the format type matter?

Regarding the 64 bit ISO file:

1. Using the ei.cfg removal tool...If I understand this correctly, If I run the tool against the install file (X15-65733.iso) I would then have my choice of not just the Home Premium but any of the flavors of Win7?

2. [CRITICAL]The following text from one of the links says: "You just need let the installer know which edition matches your product key (Note: Your disc still needs to be the same kernel as your key (i.e. 32 or 64-bit)" which says to me MY key is specific to my 32 bit and that a different key would be required for the 64 bit file referenced above?

Mark

Regarding the Universal USB Installer--

1. How can a Linux application run/work with a different operating system--Windows?

2. When start install it asks you to decide when Linux distribution from a TON of choices. The sample in the link shows Ubuntu 10x--is that the selection you must use?


Why backup your driver sub-directory if you've imaged the existing drive? The drivers are in the image. Plus, the drivers would be different and useless for the 64 bit version?

Responses in red:

markg2 said:

Reading your (Greg...) reply and links I'm really starting to get a lot more comfortable. However, I've got a lot of questions. Too many for one message so I'll ask a few, get a reply and ask a few more (if you(all) don't mind).

Regarding the clean install of the 64 bit OS on media. ImageBurn-->CD okay. As for the stick:

1. Is there a preferential reason to use the stick to boot install the ISO file vs a CD?

It can be faster. A CD won't work since Win7 installer uses a DVD.

2. The link says to format the stick FAT32 to insure a clean install. Why would the format type matter?

Regarding the 64 bit ISO file:

1. Using the ei.cfg removal tool...If I understand this correctly, If I run the tool against the install file (X15-65733.iso) I would then have my choice of not just the Home Premium but any of the flavors of Win7?

Only necessary if the ISO is not for your licensed version, which is the only one the key will work for.

2. [CRITICAL]The following text from one of the links says: "You just need let the installer know which edition matches your product key (Note: Your disc still needs to be the same kernel as your key (i.e. 32 or 64-bit)" which says to me MY key is specific to my 32 bit and that a different key would be required for the 64 bit file referenced above?

The installer ISO needs to be 32- or 64-bit specific, the key can be used for either but not both at the same time.

Mark

markg2 said:

Regarding the Universal USB Installer--

1. How can a Linux application run/work with a different operating system--Windows?

2. When start install it asks you to decide when Linux distribution from a TON of choices. The sample in the link shows Ubuntu 10x--is that the selection you must use?

It's not a Linux application, it only burns multiple Linux and Windows installers to flash stick quickly and easily. Choose Win7 in the dropdown menu, browse to ISO, done.

Why backup your driver sub-directory if you've imaged the existing drive? The drivers are in the image. Plus, the drivers would be different and useless for the 64 bit version?

Are you under the impression you can use the image as well as the clean reinstall you are asking about? You can use one but not the other. It is possible to mount the image in Disk mgmt to extract files but I would not use it as a file backup method - instead drag active User folders to external or DVD.

1. The iso file is 64 bit & my key is for Home Premium.

I thought I'd read that regardless of which version of Win7 you purchased all versions were on any Win7 installation disk/iso. That the ei.cfg removal tool allows you to see all these versions at the time of install. That I could then opt for Ultimate,for example, instead of Home Premium.

You clarified by saying NO. The tool just allows you to choose the version of your current installation since your key is version (not bit) specific. Correct?

2. Are you under the impression you can use the image as well as the clean reinstall you are asking about?

No. I can use the backup image if the 64 bit install goes south for some reason or I can mount and pull files as needed that might have escaped my separate data backups. What didn't make sense to me was your suggestion of backing up the 32 bit driver directory. Once the 64 bit is installed it was my understanding that ALL the associated drivers are different and specific to the 64 bit rendering the previous driver directory useless?

Correct, the bit-rate versions are sold on separate DVD's and download ISO's.

Backing up system32/drivers is a generalized step in my tips to get a perfect factory OEM reinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7. It would not apply in your case.

>>>>>>Burn the ISO to DVD using ImgBurn at 4x speed with Verify, or write to flash stick using this tool with Windows 7 in dropdown: Universal USB Installer – Easy as 1 2 3 .<<<<<<

I will create BOTH a DVD and stick. I'll use the stick as plan A with the DVD as a backup just in case. Your direction above for the DVD is simple. However, there was a link (that may have been from a link from a link) resulting in "How to Create a Windows Vista/7 installation disc (bootable) using ImgBurn." That explanation was several pages, some of which were sort of technical and the source appeared to be not an iso file.

I plan on dumping that procedure and opting for your straightforward "ImgBurn (Write file to disc) at 4x speed with Verify"--correct?

Yes.

The 32-->64 bit deed is done, albeit in a somewhat mangled manner. I'd like to explain what I did incorrectly and request that you all advise of the damage, if any. I'm not too far into app install and would, if necessary, do an Acronis restore and redo the OS install.

On the custom install, advanced I deleted the small hidden partition then, thinking that the actual install would do the format, I hit next. Upon seeing that format was not on the task list I aborted. The screen said what was done thus far would not be saved. I ended up back at the initial install screen and again went to advanced and again deleted the hidden partition (the one that had the OEM recovery Vista OS). However this time format was grayed out so I just went ahead with the OS install.

When I look at the drive using MS's manage it shows a 101Mb partition as unallocated and then the C drive. I'm assuming that unallocated means installing the recovery OS to the hidden drive was not done. I also presume that a format never occurred.

Sound correct?

Mark