Windows 7 32 to 64

youllbelost · 04 May 2010

hmm...
After coming to this forum i came to know that i have to use windows 7 64 bit for using my 4gb DDR3 ram fully.
So, i bought a new cd 64 bit edition and need to upgrade to that.
but the problem is that a CD broke in my DVD drive and i cannot do an install from the cd ..
So i made an image and tried to install it directly from the image but..
as its changing from 32 bit to 64 bit it needs a cd ..
how do i do a fresh install through the OS..?
anY SuGGEstionS?
in a fix....

alphanumeric · 04 May 2010

As you likely already know you can't "upgrade" from a 32 bit to a 64 bit OS. If you have to do it from windows try "custom" install. Thats the way I go from XP to 7. I would backup everything you need from that drive before you try it. The other option is to use the Windows 7 DVD download tool to make a bootable USB thumb drive and install from that.
Microsoft Store: Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool Help

Dwarf · 04 May 2010

Is your optical drive still working? If not, these are fairly easy and straightforward to replace.

You will need to do a clean install if you want to go from 32-bit to 64-bit (or vice-versa). If you want to create a USB key to make installation easier, you can do so from within either a 32-bit or 64-bit environment. Simply follow this Tutorial USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

I have created USB keys for all my listed OSes (see my specs), and have used 8GB keys for each, which leaves enough space to include Service Packs and other useful drivers and programs on the same stick. This makes installation a breeze, as everything for that installation is all on one key which can be updated as and when the need arises.

youllbelost · 04 May 2010

alphanumeric said:

As you likely already know you can't "upgrade" from a 32 bit to a 64 bit OS. If you have to do it from windows try "custom" install. Thats the way I go from XP to 7. I would backup everything you need from that drive before you try it. The other option is to use the Windows 7 DVD download tool to make a bootable USB thumb drive and install from that.
Microsoft Store: Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool Help

instruct me to custom install.....

youllbelost · 04 May 2010

solved the problem....thnx everybody!!

Dwarf · 04 May 2010

You're welcome. :)

Fhadso · 15 May 2010

alphanumeric said:

As you likely already know you can't "upgrade" from a 32 bit to a 64 bit OS. If you have to do it from windows try "custom" install. Thats the way I go from XP to 7. I would backup everything you need from that drive before you try it. The other option is to use the Windows 7 DVD download tool to make a bootable USB thumb drive and install from that.
Microsoft Store: Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool Help

You don't have to backup anything unless you're THAT paranoid about losing your files. For EVERYONE'S info, when doing a custom install, Windows puts all of your old files from the old windows installation in a folder called "Windows.old". This includes Program Files, Program Files(x86) if you had a 64-bit installationg, Users/Documents and Settings, and Windows, the three main folders that contain all of your files.

alphanumeric · 15 May 2010

True, in most cases, you don't have to back up your data but better safe than sorry. If you had seen as many "I lost my data, how do I get it back" threads as I have you'd know why I said that. :)