New laptop with 32 bit, change to 64 bit

klumsy bot · Dec 29, 2009

Hi, asking on behalf of a friend.

He has purchased an hp laptop with Windows 7 Home premium (32 bit).

If I lend him my Windows 7 Ultimate (64 bit) disk can he change to a 64 bit install of Windows 7 Home Premium? Evidently he will need to use the key on the sticker underneath his laptop. We both realise it will need to be a clean/custom install.

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I guess I'm asking this,
Do windows 7 and vista share the same approach with disks and keys:
There are two disks: 32 bit and 64 bit.
There are nine major keys available: Home premium (Retail/Upgrade/OEM), Pro (Retail/Upgrade/OEM), Ultimate (Retail/Upgrade/OEM)
Retail allows the transfer of licenses. Upgrade is a 'discount' license for people who have XP or Vista or a lower version of Windows 7. OEM does not allow for transfer of licenses.

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I'd be particularly grateful to hear responses from people who have managed this (on windows 7).

richc46 · Dec 29, 2009

The key from the bottom of the laptop will not work. That is an OEM key for his version of 7. If he tries to install with your DVD, when he puts the key from the computer it will be rejected. The key is tired into the version of the OS.

Im sorry that this is not the answer that you wanted, but I wish you the best and an Happy New Year.

klumsy bot · Dec 29, 2009

What if we use a home premium x64 disk?

mckillwashere · Dec 29, 2009

@ richc46
Rich, 32 bit and 64 bit keys work across each other.
And, There is a disk image hack to allow all version of 7 to be installed from the ultimate disk.

richc46 · Dec 29, 2009

If I understand the question correctly, when it comes time to give a key number, you plan to use the OEM key from under the computer, that came preinstalled with 7 HP. If that is the case, you cannot install any other version with that key.

richc46 · Dec 29, 2009

mckillwashere said:
@ richc46
Rich, 32 bit and 64 bit keys work across each other.
And, There is a disk image hack to allow all version of 7 to be installed from the ultimate disk.

I agree 100% about the key, but this is OEM. I have no further comment about hacks.

mckillwashere · Dec 29, 2009

He cannot install ultimate with his key,
But, someplace hidden in the tutorials there is one on how to modify an image of windows 7 ultimate image to allow the install of premium, pro, and ultimate.

klumsy bot · Dec 29, 2009

We are not planning to install ultimate. We only plan to use my disk as installation media, using the key on the sticker underneath his laptop.

He has windows 7 home premium x86 installed, and would like to use my disk to a custom install to windows 7 home premium x64.

I will re-look through the turorials/faqs.

mckillwashere · Dec 29, 2009

I looked I couldn't find the one i was referring to.
Maybe he can contact the manufacture of hi laptop and request a copy of the x64 bit media.
Or even MS.

Good luck to yall

klumsy bot · Dec 29, 2009

Hp apparently told him "you don't need to run x64".

I'm trying to convince him to experiment after creating the recovery dvds.

I found this link http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18108-windows-7-installation-dvd-create-single-x86-x64.html but it appears to be dead.

this (not particularly reputable looking) blog post suggests what I am trying to do is ok.
http://www.windowssecrets.com/2009/08/20/01-Use-any-version-of-Windows-7-free-for-120-days
Apparently I need to delete ei.cfg.
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gregrocker · Dec 29, 2009

Yes, it can be done - we do it all the time here.

The Win7 license stickered to the laptop is a batch key so it requires a robocall to MS to sort out the exact key number. You can audit the exact key using View attachment 44442

However, every license for Win7 is able to be either 32 or 64 bit, your choice. Either can be switched during reinstall and are viewed as the same license.

So the question is the installer. In Windows 7 as Vista all of the installers are the same, with versions hidden by the presence of an ei.cfg file in Sources folder.

So if necessary to activate your license, extract the ISO to your desktop, remove that file, recompile the ISO using this Vlite to burn to DVD an all-versions installer: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/32055-bootable-iso-create-installation-files.html

Wait until after install to activate with key at Computer>Properties link.

DocBrown · Dec 29, 2009

I have the All in One 32 bit & 64 bit that I made from my Technet subscription.

But it does not have OEM on it & I believe the OEM key is tied to the specific OEM DVD's from the Mfg.
So contacting the mfg for a 64 bit DVD would be the best bet

" Doc "

gregrocker · Dec 29, 2009

Doc, the manufacturer's OEM does not use a separate installer in Vista or Win7.

Only XP and before, to my knowledge.

Don't know about System Builder OEM since I don't use it, but I believe it is also same installer.

The version is determined only by the key.

klumsy bot · Dec 29, 2009

Anand suggests it requires fiddling to create a "One Disc" (or rather two, one for x64 and one for x86!)
AnandTech

Thankyou greg I will investigate this further. I will try to make my friend a "One Disc"

mckillwashere · Dec 29, 2009

If he is not running more than 4 gb of ram there really isnt a reason
I know there is more to x64 than there is x86, iv'e been an x64 fanboy since mid xpx64

klumsy bot · Dec 29, 2009

He is running 4gb of ram.

I am using the efi remover utility and burning a Universal x64 disk now.
ei.cfg Removal Utility (Windows 7 Universal CD) – Repair Tool of the Week | Technibble

Going to use a DVD-RW in case it carks it.

Testing this on my laptop seems to work fine, i get the choice of home basic, premium, pro and ultimate. So it is just the installer which is being a pain. Interesting.

klumsy bot · Dec 31, 2009

Seems it wasn't successful. He downloaded the ISO from here
Windows 7 ISO x86 and x64 Official Direct Download Links (Ultimate, Professional and Home Premium) My Digital Life

For home premium x64 and tried the HP key under his laptop, nothing. I'm trying to find out what the error message was.

gregrocker · Dec 31, 2009

I don't understand why you are downloading an ISO.

You have the 64 bit Ultimate installer so extract the files, edit out ei.cfg from Sources, recompile into an ISO to burn an all-versions DVD - all using the tutorial linked 2 days ago: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/32055-bootable-iso-create-installation-files.html

Vlite, which is used in SIW2's tutorial, will even burn the ISO from the same drop-down menu which creates the ISO.

Then boot the DVD, select your licensed version, Custom install and use Drive options to delete all partitions, format, install.

Activate with laptop license sticker Product Key. A call to MS may be required; just tell them you reinstalled.

Suggest you save a Win7 Backup Image externally first so you can reimage the HD if necessary with the current installation.

klumsy bot · Jan 1, 2010

Going to try to call MS on monday, public holidays today.

edit: he called ms and tried to activate over the phone - was told this key is already activated or has reached the limit of users. Was put through to a CSR and was given the activation code so it was achieved in the end.

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