Windows 7: Success!....but 32, not 64

I followed suggestions and ended up with a 45 minute install of 7. A breeze. HOWEVER, I could only get 32 to install. Many attempts to get 64 to install failed, regardless of what method used, i.e. boot with disk in, out and use setup, etc. Always said wrong disk, and 3 times BSOD'd, so stuck in 32 and away it went, and I used Custom. I did not activate it. Now, is there a way that I can get the 64 to install?

And the second question is now how do I change partition sizes? I have 125 gigs free in C:, which is wasted as I rarely use C: for programs.

I am not sure about your first question, but I know that GParted will solve your second question.

You can create and resize partitions using the Windows 7 partition utility. Orb -> partition -> Create and format disk partitions. That will open up the disk management console, where you are free to resize your system partition and create a new partition.

Roving, I am curious about the message you said you are getting: "Always said wrong disk". You said you booted from the DVD right? Trying to run setup.exe from Vista32 will not work.
The 64 bits installation tends to be more troublesome than the 32bits. I have a computer where it will not install at all

Considering yours would, I suggest you try:
- Install with only 1x 2GB memory stick
- Remove video card and use integrated graphis, with VGA connection
- Remove other peripherals and leave only monitor, mouse and keyboard
- You may try installing in safe mode (hit F8 repeatedly while booting)

You will not be able to upgrade from your present 32bits install to the 64, maybe you want to try 64 in a new partition, so you don't loose what you have that is working. GParted will create one with no efforts

Let us know if anythign works

I used the 7 64 bit dvd first and it just wouldn't work. 32 did easily. I would prefer to have the 64 and am interested in how I can get it to install to 'replace' the 32 install. Didn't activate for that reason. I do have a partition with the 'factory image' for Vista, and I don't need that so will format that partition and try 7 64. OR should I not format that partition and leave that up to the 7 64 install?

When trying to do this, where and when (or how) do I have the option of selecting this new partition for 7 64? I don't recall where that option was given when installing 7 32.

After 64 is up and running I assume I stick the 2GB memory back in. Right? 7 will recognize it then? If it works do I then change the name of the drive to C:, or what?

Jonathan, please forgive the question, but I downloaded Gparted (gparted-0.4.7.tar.bz2) and now I need to know how to Run it. A bit light headed here today, perhaps. Thanks.

No problem, but you are downloading the wrong version. Try this link instead. That is the iso. When that is downloaded, burn it to a CD using ISO Recorder, or your favorite iso-burning program.

Roving, this tutorial is well illustrated and should answer your questton about when to chose the partition: Clean Install Windows 7

As you are starting over, I would just format that partition and install anew. Yes, you should / can resintall the 2G after everything is installed

And to run GParted you need to make a boot disk and boot from it. It is self explanatory from there. I can't open that link here at work, but you should download the iso file and then burn it to a CD (ImgBurn is a good program for that)

Jonathon, I used ISO recorder and burned Gparted-live-0.4.6.1.iso to a CD. My 'geek' ran out at that point. I don't see an .exe file or a way to start the program. The files don't look familiar to me-.disc, isolinux, live, copying, and Gparted-live-version. I think that it was Copying that opened with wordpad, but that was all about use/license and such. What should I do with what I have? Thanks

roving, boot from the CD you created. If it was done correctly, you will have GParted running (take a look at their site for pictures of what it looks like) and you can play with the partitions.