Windows 7: Reinstalling 64 bit over 32 bit??

Zoran69 · 07 Nov 2009

Not sure about this, when I installed as I wasn't aware of my processor being 64 bit or never really thought of it until I ran PC Wizard 2009. Anyways a few things. I have a E2140 dual core 1.6ghz.. 3 gigs of ram. An Asus P5KPL-VM motherboard. My upgradability for ram as far as I know is limited to 4 gigs. But being that I am running 32 bit I have no reason to go to 4. I will in time change that but I'll want more than 4. My question here is.

Can I just upgrade to 64 bit and install over my current configuration or will I have to do a clean install. I need to do testing and make sure everything will still work properly. I am dual booting and still using my orginal Win XP home. 7 runs fine for me no real issues other than some video and sound that other people had with the same models i have and I had them resolved by following the advice of other people. had a good 2 weeks almost of being very happy with 7.

One of the things I wondered was if i am running 64 bit 7 if I can use the "compatibility mode" run my program(s) designated for XP or Vista to avoid any problems that they would then be running in 32 bit, or at least I'm assuming that so thats what I am asking..

any feedback would be helpful here or in email.
my email is [removed] i don't know if I'm allowed to post my email here or if people can just respond directly. If an admin knows if I am not allowed to post my email then he/she can edit it out.

Hoping for some feedback before I go ahead and try this as I've been contemplating it for about 8 hrs now.

John

Dave76 · 07 Nov 2009

Welcome to Seven Forums.

First you should remove your e-mail address for your own safety and it's against the forum rules.

Forum Rules

Your mother board specs say 4GB max for RAM.
This may be due to the 32bit OS, check with other uses or the manufacturer. I have seen this limit listed and then other users report they are using more with no problems.

Try running the Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, it will tell you if there will be any system, program, or devices issues before you start the installation.

When moving from 32bit OS to a 64bit OS you must use a Clean/Custom install. You can not use the upgrade install.

Any program that runs in Vista will run in Windows 7. There is XP and Vista compatibility modes.
32bit programs will run fine in the 64bit OS, it has two 'Program' folders, 'Program files' for 64bit programs and 'Program Files (x86)' for the 32bit programs.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

Zoran69 · 07 Nov 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Dave76

Welcome to Seven Forums.

First you should remove your e-mail address for your own safety and it's against the forum rules.

Forum Rules

Someone removed my email for me, I wasn't aware it was a rule but sometimes it is because of the phishin that goes on. None of which affects me as not much personal info is ever attached and I'm securely well protected

Your mother board specs say 4GB max for RAM.
This may be due to the 32bit OS, check with other uses or the manufacturer. I have seen this limit listed and then other users report they are using more with no problems.

Crucial informed me that my limitation is 2x2 gigs. Asus hasn't an update yet that I know of.. then again maybe some people have had luck with this mobo and 2x4's but I've yet to see them.

Try running the Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, it will tell you if there will be any system, program, or devices issues before you start the installation.

I probably overloaded the advisor the first time I ran it when I had all my drives hooked up. I've sifted out what I really need to use and what I don't and things seems to be good but I would like to get to the 64 bit now that I have read more and understand a bit more. A few myths I wondered about are clear.

When moving from 32bit OS to a 64bit OS you must use a Clean/Custom install. You can not use the upgrade install.

Any program that runs in Vista will run in Windows 7. There is XP and Vista compatibility modes.
32bit programs will run fine in the 64bit OS, it has two 'Program' folders, 'Program files' for 64bit programs and 'Program Files (x86)' for the 32bit programs.

With never using a 64 bit OS first hand I wasn't aware that there was 2 program folders. I'll update my system specs, but having 2 machines I tend to swap cards back and forth for certain games.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

That would be why I'm here, some of the Techs at Microsoft thought some of my questions a few years ago sounded unreal but they seem to be incorporated in Win 7 now.. But yes 1 more as I'm not sure. Can you use a Quad core Xeon for a graphics and gaming machine instead of a regular IntelQC, or are xeons "ONLY" for servers. I see some people setup 6 core opterons as demonbane machines with sheer power and I wonder, as much as other people..

Jonboy

Windows 7: Reinstalling 64 bit over 32 bit??

Reinstalling 64 bit over 32 bit?? problems?