I am trying to go from 32 bit Vista to 64 bit Windows 7.

Xarzu · 06 May 2012

I am trying to go from 32 bit Vista to 64 bit Windows 7.

The 32 bit Vista was installed by mistake. My system can handle a 64 bit OS. Now I have finally found the time to upgrade. But the 64 bit intallation DVD can't be read from my OS. Any Advice?

I have tried setting up my CMOS so that I can boot from the DVD but I have run into some issues. First of all, when I look at my keyboard during the boot procedure, I noticed that the little light which indicates that one row of buttons are to be used for F1 - F12 keys, the little green led light goes on and off. Sometimes, during the boot process, it is on, sometimes it is off.

The CMOS procedure tells me I can hit F12 and set the boot order. I can hit F12 but when I go into that menu, I notice my keyboard is dead. The CPU does not accept any commands from me. So I need to power off and power on and try again.

The CMOS procedure tells me I can hit DEL and that launches the whole CMOS utility. There I can set the boot order so that the DVD is run first. But when I save and exit, I notice my keyboard is dead again. This time, the screen is showing things being set and loaded and I am prompted to hit any key to show I am sure that I want to boot from the DVD. I hit the Y key and I hit the spacebar, but it becomes clear that my input is ignored since my keyboard is being ignored. And the ol' Vista OS is loaded.

Please advise. Is there any way to set things up in the VISTA OS to force a boot from the DVD? I guess I can load the OS in save mode and format the C drive, but if I do that I might risk having a dead computer since the CMOS does not seem to be trusting enough to boot from the DVD drive even if you tell it to.

gregrocker · 06 May 2012

Reset the BIOS to defaults: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

While in BIOS setup set SATA controller to AHCI, DVD or USB drive to boot first. Look for any USB settings in BIOS to adjust correctly so keyboard is read.

Use the latest official Win7 installer ISO for your licensed version burned to DVD using the MS tool given in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

If keyboard continues to fail, do you have a PS2 keyboard port and keyboard?

You cannot install Win7 in Safe Mode. You need to get a keyboard working since it is needed even to autostart DBAN or free Partition Wizard bootable CD to wipe the HD first, which forces the installer to autostart.

Night Hawk · 07 May 2012

One thing to look at while in the bios setup as it is called is to see if the usb keyboard support option is present and enabled. Like gregrocker pointed out a PS2 will likely be necessary in order to move around in there at first.

As for the keyboard flashing you will still see that even after the usb keyboard option is enabled if present as part of the initial post tests. When ready to go into the bios or simply to bring up the boot device menu where you can select any hard drive, optical drive, or even a usb flash drive the lights on any keyboard need to flash first before you tap the assigned F key a few times.

One thing to ask here would be the make and model system if premade or the make and board for looking up the specifications as well as user manual which covers the bios settings.