Windows 7: Custom installation not available 32bit -> 64bit

Hi

Currently, I'm using the 32bit version of windows 7, and for reasons i have to install the 64bit version. Apparently that's easier said than done.

I have a MSI gx723 laptop, with windows 7 home premium edition, and therefore no CD. When i tried to reinstall windows by using the integrated tool, an error occurred. I couldn't use the tool. I don't know why. Therefore i used the MSI restoring function, by pressing F3 while booting. This erases all information on the partition windows 7 is stored on, while it afterwards gets reinstalled. This wouldn't be a problem, if it wasn't for the fact that i can't choose custom installation. Somehow, after accepting the license terms, I'm only allowed to choose windows update settings, network settings etc.



Besides that, I'm dual booting with XP, which is stored on another partition, that isn't involved in the deletion process.

Can i simply not choose anything but 32bit, due to the fact that I don't have the CD? This would be odd, especially because MSI are pro 64bit, as far as i know.

Is it because another OS(XP) is already installed on another partition?

Would it be different if i formatted the partition?

If nothing else would world, is it then possible to somehow download it from somewhere, and then use my key?

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Kristian D.

Is the MSI gx723 notebook, Recovery Partition or Recovery Disks 32bit or 64 bit?




Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?




Video of MSI Factory Recovery:
MSI's Channel - YouTube


You can order Recovery disks from:
MSI Online Customer Service

You can easily download a legal Windows ISO file from Mydigitallife.info and burn it to disc. Then use it to install.

But I'm NOT sure if your current Product Key restricts you to 32 bit if that is what your laptop shipped with.

Someone else will have to confirm how that works. If your key is valid for either 32 or 64 bit, then you could download the 64 bit ISO.

How do i know if it's 32bit or 64bit? Since I'm not allowed to customize, one would think that it's 32bit, although i guess the only options available in the customization isn't choosing between 32bit and 64bit, but choosing the partition on which you wanna install the OS.

No i didn't make a recovery disk. I didn't think it was necessary. I though that was the idea of the backup/recovery partition..

Is it really necessary to order a recovery disk?

I appreciate your help.

Thanks.
Kristian D.

The 'Recovery' discs or partitions in all oem mahines are to 'recover' to the original out of box configuration. If your machine is 32 bit, thats all the recovery process will allow. It's not a full copy of Windows that allows you to do custom installs. As stated above, your key may or may not support 64 bit version of the system.


Jim

Go to control panel, then system.

Look for the words "system type".

Does it say 64 bit operating system or 32 bit operating system?


When you buy a retail version of Windows, you receive and have the right to install either 32 or 64, your choice. But I'm not sure how that works on an OEM machine.

There's no way to ensure that I'll be able to install it with my current key?

I'd appreciate any sort of confirmation on the matter.

Thanks
Kristian D.

Yes. There is a way.

The way is to have someone with specific knowledge about the finer points of OEM licenses to comment in this thread.

Someone likely will come along.

Just guessing--I'd guess you are restricted to 32 bit, but I'd be happy to be proven wrong.

Did you show 32 bit in the control panel?

Thanks, but it was an answer for "Is the MSI gx723 notebook, Recovery Partition or Recovery Disks 32bit or 64 bit?"

I might have misunderstood this, if the answer is just the one that you've written.

Anyway, i have ensured that my system is 32bit, as well as i have ensured that my XP is 32bit.

Seems odd, if you aren't able to choose anything but the predetermined settings. Although it seems that you're right.