Upgrading from 32 bit to 64 bit

[scottjm77]

Hey guys
I recently got an installation cd from my gran for win 7 profesional 64 bit. It says that my computer is capable of 64 but but i dont know what to do. Can someone give me a step by step on how to do this. Thanks a bunch
P.s. i am only doing this because only 3 of my 6 gigs of ram are usable cause i have a 32 but and i am trying to get the other 3 gigs to work.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Assuming your hardware is 64-bit capable, all you would do is back up your data and then boot from that installation CD and follow the instructions.

You will have the opportunity to delete partitions or create new ones. You can install to your existing C if you want to.

It's pretty self-explanatory once you boot from that disc.

Disconnect any other drives before you begin if you have more than 1 drive.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[gregrocker]

Is this a computer which came preinstalled with Win7? If so you can use the same license to reinstall 64 bit and save the Professional version for another computer so you don't waste the $100+ license you already paid for, as long as you reinstall the same version that's listed on the COA sticker. Steps here: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Once you clarify what OS/license is currently being used then we can help you better.

Is the disk you were given retail Upgrade or Full version?

 

[scottjm77]

Is this a computer which came preinstalled with Win7? If so you can use the same license to reinstall 64 bit and save the Professional version for another computer so you don't waste the $100+ license you already paid for, as long as you reinstall the same version that's listed on the COA sticker. Steps here: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Once you clarify what OS/license is currently being used then we can help you better.

Is the disk you were given retail Upgrade or Full version?

it just came with win 7 hp 32 bit installed

 

[gregrocker]

In that case I would use the latest 64 bit Home Premium installer given in the tutorial to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to reinstall with the Product Key on COA sticker.

Most users don't need the few extra features in Pro version - you can check now looking at this chart: Compare Windows - Microsoft Windows

However if you know that you do then you can boot the Pro installer to clean reinstall following the same steps but using the Product Key which came with Pro. The drawback is that you'd lose the $100+ value of the preinstalled Home Premium which can be reinstalled in 64 bit. I would keep that in mind even if you go ahead and install Pro since a retail copy like you were given can migrate in the future to any machine you want, while the preinstalled Home Premium which came with your HP is locked to that machine for it's life, but can be reinstalled as often and in whatever bit version you want.

Is this an Upgrade or Full version of Pro? An Upgrade version to migrate in the future must have a qualifying XP or Vista which came with the target machine or you bought retail, though it doesn't need to be installed to qualify to use Upgrade version.

A Pro Upgrade or Full version Product key can also be used on a Win7 lesser version of the same bit-rate to Anytime Upgrade which unlocks the few extra features in the higher version in a few minutes time: Windows Anytime Upgrade - How to - Windows 7 Forums.

 

[scottjm77]

In that case I would use the latest 64 bit Home Premium installer given in the tutorial to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to reinstall with the Product Key on COA sticker.

Most users don't need the few extra features in Pro version - you can check now looking at this chart: Compare Windows - Microsoft Windows

However if you know that you do then you can boot the Pro installer to clean reinstall following the same steps but using the Product Key which came with Pro. The drawback is that you'd lose the $100+ value of the preinstalled Home Premium which can be reinstalled in 64 bit. I would keep that in mind even if you go ahead and install Pro since a retail copy like you were given can migrate in the future to any machine you want, while the preinstalled Home Premium which came with your HP is locked to that machine for it's life, but can be reinstalled as often and in whatever bit version you want.

Is this an Upgrade or Full version of Pro? An Upgrade version to migrate in the future must have a qualifying XP or Vista which came with the target machine or you bought retail, though it doesn't need to be installed to qualify to use Upgrade version.

A Pro Upgrade or Full version Product key can also be used on a Win7 lesser version of the same bit-rate to Anytime Upgrade which unlocks the few extra features in the higher version in a few minutes time: Windows Anytime Upgrade - How to - Windows 7 Forums.

CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE ME A STEP BY STEP TUT CAUSE I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO FROM THE CLEAN INSTALL (soz for caps)

 

[gregrocker]

Do you want to clean reinstall Home Premium which came with computer in 64 bit, or use the Pro disk?

Why can you not answer my questions so I can help you decide?

Click this blue link to see the step-by-step: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

 

[scottjm77]

Do you want to clean reinstall Home Premium which came with computer in 64 bit, or use the Pro disk?

Why can you not answer my questions so I can help you decide?

Click this blue link to see the step-by-step: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Sorry. I want to clean reinstall with 64 bit

 

[seavixen32]

[QUOTE
CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE ME A STEP BY STEP TUT CAUSE I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO FROM THE CLEAN INSTALL (soz for caps)[/QUOTE]

You won't get a better step-by-step guide than the one Greg linked you to.

Work with him, and you'll solve your problem. Work against him and you're wasting everyone's time.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you understand that if you install the Pro version you were given it will waste the Home Premium license which came with the computer? That Home Premium can also be reinstalled in 64 bit.

The reason I'm asking you this is that most users don't need the few extra features in Professional, so you could sell it or save it to install on another machine and not waste the Home Premium license.

 

[AddRAM]

Listen to Greg, He is an install GOD