Windows 7 - OEM Windows 7 32bit to 64bit

Hey,

I wonder if anyone can help me. I've searched exhaustively on this subject and haven't found a definate answer.

I have recently purchased a Samsung R720 (PS02UK) laptop with Windows 7 32bit Home Premium (OEM of course). The processor is a Core 2 Duo (P7450 - 64bit compliant). The computer came supplied with 4GB of RAM and has a 1GB dedicated video card.

Now my problem is obviously Windows can't address all this RAM (about 0.8-1.2GB is sitting hardware reserved for video memory, giving me over 2GB for the graphics card to use - which is pointless, it doesn't need that much!!)

OK, so my question is how can I move to 64bit Windows 7 without buying a full retail version. The OEM key is only suitable for 32bit versions (I called Samsung and asked). Will using an upgrade package work in this case? I am aware that it will be a custom install and as such will be a fresh install - this doesn't bother me as it is a new computer.

I have a copy of Windows 7 Professional 64bit upgrade to hand that I can use if it is possible. I obviously don't want to shell out for a full version just for 64bit, I don't think that would be worth it.

If anyone has any clue on this I would be very grateful to hear from you as I really don't know how to proceed!

Thanks!

James

Welcome James, You might want to look at this tutorial,
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
Hope that helps you out.

Hi jmullaney, welcome to sevenforums

As long as your laptop will suport Vista 64 or Windows 7 64 bit, you'll have no problems doing a clean install with an upgrade pack. The advantage to this approach is that you'll also be able to delete the repair partition and any other partitions that Samsung have used up on your hard drive during installation.

OK, that sounds great. I assume it will ask me for a code when I 'upgrade'. Is this the case? And if so will my 32bit OEM code work? Also can I expect Windows to find most drivers for the key hardware (enough to get me up and running... Samsung provide drivers for most of my internal peripherals such as Wireless so I can install them once I'm in)

Very appreciative of the quick response, I've been raking google searches all day and have got nowhere!

You can't legally upgrade using another oem copy of Windows 7, and the oem key most likely (99.9% sure) won't work with an Upgrade disc. You'll need to bit the bullet and buy an upgrade license, which are considerably cheaper than full retail.
The good news is that your Samsung support page has Windows 7 64 bit drivers, so it will run a 64 bit installation.

Brilliant, so supposing I had a copy of this arriving on my doorstep this week, that would work.

Again, thank you!

You're most welcome
That will definitely work! and it's definitely a considerable saving too!
Don't forget to hang onto that support page in case 7 misses any drivers during installation (commonly webcam, card reader and occasionally audio)

What I did with my laptop was use this program to backup the key and licence, do a clean install without entering a key and then restoring the licence and key back again. Be warned it is only beta for Win 7 though, certainly saves the cost of a new version of windows!!
ABR (Activation Backup and Restore) | directedge.us

Forgot to add my laptop came with x86, I backed it up, clean installed x64 and restored the licence, it worked like a charm!

Yea, hell of a saving. Have already got that link saved from prior investigation but once again thanks so much for help.

Also thanks mark39, I've taken a backup in case all goes tits up. Hopefully it won't and I'll be able to report back whether it worked or not .I'm sure someone out there will be wondering the same and could use all this info! Just got to wait for the disc to come though and I'll make the leap!