Windows 7: 32 Bit Vista to 64 Bit Windows 7.... How?

I just bought a Toshiba Satellite L505-S6946 Laptop from Best Buy yesterday for $600... It's dual Centrino 2.0ghz, 3GB Ram, 320GB HD, DVD, etc..

I realize that this Laptop came with the 32-bit version if Windows Vista and I have already contatced Toshiba and they are Only going to be able to give me an upgrade to Windows 7 in the 32-bit version. I will Not be able to obtain a free upgrade for the 64 bit version.

My question is this, if I obtain an Upgrade version of Windows 7 64-bit, can I do a clean install on the laptop even though it's only running the 32-bit version of Vista?

Or do I have to buy the full copy of Windows 7 64-bit?

If I can't do the clean install with the 64-bit upgrade version i'm going to return the laptop and either wait for 7 to come out or purchase something that already comes with the 64-bit version of Vista (my ultimate goal is to run 8GB of RAM, this laptop is expandable to 8GB but vista 32-bit does not support more than 4GB).

Yes you can..

I see.. So I guess my next dilemma is how I obtain a 64-bit version of 7. Toshiba already said they will not provide me with the 64-bit version, I even asked if I could pay a cost difference and they said no.

So I guess I would have to pay the $120 to get Windows 7 64-bit upgrade, do the clean install and Then I can upgrade my RAM..

I'm thinking it might be more cost effective to just return the laptop and wait for 7 or like I said, buy a laptop that comes with 64-bit Vista... It does suck that I would have to pay a 15% re-stocking fee to best buy, so on the $600 it would be $90.

Actually , I think I'm wrong

Can anyone else chime in here and tell us if this will work? I've ready various things online and some say you can't go from 32-bit to 64-bit with the Upgrade version but others say you can...

So you're saying your warranty dies just if you install an OS by your choice? WOW! I knew that desktop PC's ARE the solution for me!

Still, ask stupid Toshiba if you can use dual-boot. If you can, you're going to have to go through some steps to do this. You're going to have to use a hacked version of Seven though, otherwise you'll go spending a lot of cash on an original Seven Ultimate (x64)... Every time you boot up your PC you will get to choose between Vista or Seven if you do that. Still you can just choose a default OS and fully disable the OS Choice screen.

Im pretty sure the 32bit to 64bit is a custom install and has to be done as a clean install. why not google win 7 upgrade paths and get a definative answer from microsoft?

Ken

Because they don't have information on upgrading from Vista 32-bit to 7 64-bit.. It's all 32-bit to 32-bit and 64 to 64.

Try this --==> Link

What on earth are you talking about? It has nothing to do with warranty, it has to do with the free windows 7 upgrade offer. They only provide you a free upgrade of the same bit version you're using. If you a buy 32-bit Vista laptop than you get a 32-bit 7 upgrade, if you buy a 64-bit Vista laptop you get a 64-bit upgrade.