Switch to 64bit. My system has two hard drives.

[rldupree]

I have an HP Quad Core computer that came with two hard drives. I installed Windows 7 32 bit a year ago. The disk also came with a 64 bit version but the upgrade required a clean install.

If I decide to install the 64 bit version, do I lose everything on both drives?

 

[McSeven]

Basically yes. However if you have some folders just for storing files on the second drive they should remain.
If you do a fresh O/S install I would format the 'c' drive.

 

[Barman58]

If you install the 64bit OS onto the Disk/partition that currently has the 32 bit OS on it then you will lose all data and programs on the 32bit version, it should not effect the other drive at all.

 

[CarlTR6]

As big of a pain as it is to reinstall your software, a clean install is, by far the best.

 

[gregrocker]

Are you ready to replace 32 bit with 64 bit, or do you want to test 64 bit to compare it with 32 bit?

If you want to test it, then I'd create a partition on the other HD to install 64 bit, unplug the 32 bit during install, set the target HD as first HD to boot in BIOS setup. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2672-partition-volume-shrink.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93322-partition-wizard-use-bootable-cd.html

After install, plug back in the 32 bit HD, boot it via BIOS one-time Boot menu key which every computer/mobo has. bootkeys

You'll have up to 120 days during which you can extend the activation of 64 bit to decide which one you want to keep to activate permanently. You're entitled to either 32- or 64-bit with each license, but only one install of either. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/875-activation-trial-period-extend-up-120-days.html

If you want to keep 64 bit, for example, move the data you want to save from the 32 bit HD to the 64 bit one, then wipe the HD, repartition/format to use as a data or storage drive. You can then activate 64 bit.

If you want to keep 32 bit, just move the data off the 64 bit HD to the 32 bit one and wipe it, repartition and format to use as data or storage drive. Experiment finished.

 

[Dave76]

I have an HP Quad Core computer that came with two hard drives. I installed Windows 7 32 bit a year ago. The disk also came with a 64 bit version but the upgrade required a clean install.

If I decide to install the 64 bit version, do I lose everything on both drives?

Hi rldupree, welcome to Seven Forums.

You will only loose your data on the Win7 32bit partition.
The other hard drive won't be affected.

If you only have one partition on the Win7 32bit hard drive and you keep all your personnal data on that partition, you will need to move all your personnal data to another partition before you install Win7 64bit.

If you want to test the Win7 64bit, you can do as gregrocker suggested.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Copy all the data you want to save to the second drive. Then, disconnect it from the system, and do a clean install on the primary drive. Once it is up and running, reconnect your second drive, and rearrange your drive letters, if you want.

 

[allend66]

Just a heads up from a not-so-noob-noob: I fresh installed x64 Home Premium and the setup wiped my C partition, my Data partition and my OEM system restore partition. Play it safe, physically unplug the 32bit disk before attempting x64 install.

 

[DeaconFrost]

The OEM restore partition would be useless in this situation because it wouldn't restore the desired OS. It is a dumb idea to rely solely on a partition on your drive as a means of restoring anyway, because if the drive dies...so does your restore. If he has the x64 disc, that's all he needs. The OEM partition can, and usually is, blown away to recover the space.

 

[Lunarpancake]

in addition to what allend66 said, be sure the second hard drive is a physical harddrive and not just a partition of one large disk. If it is a physical disk then pull the power from it (when pc is off). Install win7 and once its up and running you can plug the second hard drive back in (again when pc is off).

 

[allend66]

The OEM restore partition would be useless in this situation because it wouldn't restore the desired OS. It is a dumb idea to rely solely on a partition on your drive as a means of restoring anyway, because if the drive dies...so does your restore. If he has the x64 disc, that's all he needs. The OEM partition can, and usually is, blown away to recover the space.

You've missed the point - rldupree was concerned about losing data, my post indicating that partitions - ALL partitions get wiped, and my suggestion being he should remove / disconnect the 32bit disk before installing.

 

[DeaconFrost]

You've missed the point

I could probably say the same thing. If there's data to be saved on the secondary drive, and there's no plan to dual-boot (thankfully) then dump all important data to the data drive, aka the secondary, and then freely wipe out the entire primary disk...once it is disconnected. Then the OP only has to reconnect the drive after x64 is installed, and all the data is available.

 

[Lordbob75]

Just to point out: a clean install will NOT wipe the entire drive. In fact you can save ALL you data from the old install even after installing over it.

The clean install will only install over the partition you point it to (which may or may not be the whole drive).

If you install over an existing install, all your data will be moved into the Windows.old folder, from which you can save it.

~Lordbob

 

[Dave76]

Good point Lordbob.

If the OP wants to keep the recovery partition and doesn't need the space, the Win7 64bit can be installed on the current Win7 32bit partition.

If the OP wants to use the recovery partition space, He/she should consider if there will ever be a need for the origional OS. For example sometime in the future if they want to sell the computer and keep the Win7 upgrade.
Most OEMs have a utility to burn the recovery partition to a DVD, saving it if needed later.
Then the recovery partition can be deleted.

Good point made previously, should confirm it is two physical HDDs and not two partitions.

All this can be easily done if the OP returns with a little information.

 

[unifex]

You've missed the point - rldupree was concerned about losing data, my post indicating that partitions - ALL partitions get wiped, and my suggestion being he should remove / disconnect the 32bit disk before installing.

Lordbob said it already, but I will dare repeating - the installer does NOT necessarily wipe out all data in the machine, as you seem to be suggesting. It's possible it has an option to do so, but it's only one option.

The machine I am using now - I am dual-booting. Windows 7 was installed on a separate physical drive, but you bet I did not disconnect the other physical drive before installing and nothing happened to it. The recovery partition is still there as well. In fact, the installer is rather flexible, you just have to pay attention to the questions it poses to you.