32 Bit Vista to 64 Bit Windows 7.... How?

[shaX 07]

I just bought a Toshiba Satellite L505-S6946 Laptop from Best Buy yesterday for $600... It's dual Centrino 2.0ghz, 3GB Ram, 320GB HD, DVD, etc..

I realize that this Laptop came with the 32-bit version if Windows Vista and I have already contatced Toshiba and they are Only going to be able to give me an upgrade to Windows 7 in the 32-bit version. I will Not be able to obtain a free upgrade for the 64 bit version.

My question is this, if I obtain an Upgrade version of Windows 7 64-bit, can I do a clean install on the laptop even though it's only running the 32-bit version of Vista?

Or do I have to buy the full copy of Windows 7 64-bit?

If I can't do the clean install with the 64-bit upgrade version i'm going to return the laptop and either wait for 7 to come out or purchase something that already comes with the 64-bit version of Vista (my ultimate goal is to run 8GB of RAM, this laptop is expandable to 8GB but vista 32-bit does not support more than 4GB).

 

[TGSoldier]

Yes you can..

 

[shaX 07]

Yes you can..

I see.. So I guess my next dilemma is how I obtain a 64-bit version of 7. Toshiba already said they will not provide me with the 64-bit version, I even asked if I could pay a cost difference and they said no.

So I guess I would have to pay the $120 to get Windows 7 64-bit upgrade, do the clean install and Then I can upgrade my RAM..

I'm thinking it might be more cost effective to just return the laptop and wait for 7 or like I said, buy a laptop that comes with 64-bit Vista... It does suck that I would have to pay a 15% re-stocking fee to best buy, so on the $600 it would be $90.

 

[TGSoldier]

Actually , I think I'm wrong

 

[shaX 07]

Actually , I think I'm wrong

Can anyone else chime in here and tell us if this will work? I've ready various things online and some say you can't go from 32-bit to 64-bit with the Upgrade version but others say you can...

 

[dw96]

Yes you can..

I see.. So I guess my next dilemma is how I obtain a 64-bit version of 7. Toshiba already said they will not provide me with the 64-bit version, I even asked if I could pay a cost difference and they said no.

So I guess I would have to pay the $120 to get Windows 7 64-bit upgrade, do the clean install and Then I can upgrade my RAM..

I'm thinking it might be more cost effective to just return the laptop and wait for 7 or like I said, buy a laptop that comes with 64-bit Vista... It does suck that I would have to pay a 15% re-stocking fee to best buy, so on the $600 it would be $90.

So you're saying your warranty dies just if you install an OS by your choice? WOW! I knew that desktop PC's ARE the solution for me!

Still, ask stupid Toshiba if you can use dual-boot. If you can, you're going to have to go through some steps to do this. You're going to have to use a hacked version of Seven though, otherwise you'll go spending a lot of cash on an original Seven Ultimate (x64)... Every time you boot up your PC you will get to choose between Vista or Seven if you do that. Still you can just choose a default OS and fully disable the OS Choice screen.

 

[zigzag3143]

Actually , I think I'm wrong

Can anyone else chime in here and tell us if this will work? I've ready various things online and some say you can't go from 32-bit to 64-bit with the Upgrade version but others say you can...

Im pretty sure the 32bit to 64bit is a custom install and has to be done as a clean install. why not google win 7 upgrade paths and get a definative answer from microsoft?

Ken

 

[shaX 07]

Actually , I think I'm wrong

Can anyone else chime in here and tell us if this will work? I've ready various things online and some say you can't go from 32-bit to 64-bit with the Upgrade version but others say you can...

Im pretty sure the 32bit to 64bit is a custom install and has to be done as a clean install. why not google win 7 upgrade paths and get a definative answer from microsoft?

Ken

Because they don't have information on upgrading from Vista 32-bit to 7 64-bit.. It's all 32-bit to 32-bit and 64 to 64.

 

[Tews]

Actually , I think I'm wrong

Can anyone else chime in here and tell us if this will work? I've ready various things online and some say you can't go from 32-bit to 64-bit with the Upgrade version but others say you can...

Im pretty sure the 32bit to 64bit is a custom install and has to be done as a clean install. why not google win 7 upgrade paths and get a definative answer from microsoft?

Ken

Try this --==> Link

 

[shaX 07]

Yes you can..

I see.. So I guess my next dilemma is how I obtain a 64-bit version of 7. Toshiba already said they will not provide me with the 64-bit version, I even asked if I could pay a cost difference and they said no.

So I guess I would have to pay the $120 to get Windows 7 64-bit upgrade, do the clean install and Then I can upgrade my RAM..

I'm thinking it might be more cost effective to just return the laptop and wait for 7 or like I said, buy a laptop that comes with 64-bit Vista... It does suck that I would have to pay a 15% re-stocking fee to best buy, so on the $600 it would be $90.

So you're saying your warranty dies just if you install an OS by your choice? WOW! I knew that desktop PC's ARE the solution for me!

Still, ask stupid Toshiba if you can use dual-boot. If you can, you're going to have to go through some steps to do this. You're going to have to use a hacked version of Seven though, otherwise you'll go spending a lot of cash on an original Seven Ultimate (x64)... Every time you boot up your PC you will get to choose between Vista or Seven if you do that. Still you can just choose a default OS and fully disable the OS Choice screen.

What on earth are you talking about? It has nothing to do with warranty, it has to do with the free windows 7 upgrade offer. They only provide you a free upgrade of the same bit version you're using. If you a buy 32-bit Vista laptop than you get a 32-bit 7 upgrade, if you buy a 64-bit Vista laptop you get a 64-bit upgrade.

 

[zigzag3143]

Um actually not

Ita here and is a custom install vista 32>>>win 7 64bit

http://mossblog.allthingsd.com/files/2009/08/windows-upgrade-chart.png

ken

 

[TGSoldier]

Lol Tews.

According to Microsoft, it can be done...

Currently running Windows Vista

• Customers with Windows Vista can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade versions. You can do a clean install (back up your files, clean install, and then reinstall your applications) or an in-place upgrade (Windows 7 installs over Windows Vista).

 

[shaX 07]

Um actually not

Ita here and is a custom install vista 32>>>win 7 64bit

http://mossblog.allthingsd.com/files/2009/08/windows-upgrade-chart.png

ken

So are you saying that has to be done with the Full version of windows 7 64-bit or can it be done with the Upgrade version of windows 7 64-bit?

I don't care about doing a clean install, I just need to know If I can do that with the Upgrade version or if it has to be the Full version.

 

[dw96]

I'd recommend clean. And in-place is only available for 32 to 32 and 64 and 64.
Edit:
Upgrade version should work. Not sure if you can do clean installs with upgrades CD's though. If you can't, since the chart says that 32 to 64 upgrades must be done clean, then the answer is you'll have to buy the full Windows.

 

[wallyinnc]

What on earth are you talking about? It has nothing to do with warranty, it has to do with the free windows 7 upgrade offer. They only provide you a free upgrade of the same bit version you're using. If you a buy 32-bit Vista laptop than you get a 32-bit 7 upgrade, if you buy a 64-bit Vista laptop you get a 64-bit upgrade.

Shax, we are here trying to help. it is appreciated to show respect to suggestions, even if they are not what you wanted to hear
You cannot upgrade from 32 bits to 64 bits: 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions#
And by the way, you will void your warranty

 

[wallyinnc]

Try this --==> Link

:roflmao:brilliant animation

 

[dw96]

:roflmao:brilliant animation

LULZ.
@shaX 07 - I think I got the problem here. You want to upgrade to 64 but you don't wanna make your wallet lighter. Is 64-bit computing that vital to you? The 64-bit applications use the full power of your processor and are usually used for really advanced computing. I know most people are used to 64 bit as everyday stuff, but you just can't have every new gizmo sometimes... If you really have made the decision that 64-bit is a must, then you will have no other choice, but to buy the full Windows 7 64-bit original or to use a hacked version (suggested you use torrents).

 

[shaX 07]

:roflmao:brilliant animation

LULZ.
@shaX 07 - I think I got the problem here. You want to upgrade to 64 but you don't wanna make your wallet lighter. Is 64-bit computing that vital to you? The 64-bit applications use the full power of your processor and are usually used for really advanced computing. I know most people are used to 64 bit as everyday stuff, but you just can't have every new gizmo sometimes... If you really have made the decision that 64-bit is a must, then you will have no other choice, but to buy the full Windows 7 64-bit original or to use a hacked version (suggested you use torrents).

I'm not really in need of 64 bit windows right now, but i'm looking towards the future. I don't want to have to buy a new laptop every year. I want to be able to upgrade the RAM to 8 GB at some point in the near future, and I won't be able to do this on 32-bit windows.

 

[dw96]

I'm not really in need of 64 bit windows right now, but i'm looking towards the future. I don't want to have to buy a new laptop every year. I want to be able to upgrade the RAM to 8 GB at some point in the near future, and I won't be able to do this on 32-bit windows.

Interesting point of view... Let's talk about it:
First, do you REALLY need a laptop EVERY YEAR? How often do you travel and do you need a PC everywhere you go? Second, if it's not too annoying, what kind of work do you do on your PC? Video editing, photo editing, maybe something that involves a lot of files? Share! Don't be shy. Last - laptops are ALWAYS more expensive than desktops. If you don't always need a portable PC to be everywhere with you, why not consider a desktop? If you buy a very expensive motherboard you should be able to upgrade all components you don't like really easily. And last, even though laptops are more expensive they're actually not more powerful. In fact, it's the opposite! If you're, say, a gamer, the only thing you'd work with is a 2500$ laptop. And you're STILL going to have to replace it every two years or so if you intend being with the latest trends... I got offtopic again. Maybe we should switch to PM...

 

[shaX 07]

I'm not really in need of 64 bit windows right now, but i'm looking towards the future. I don't want to have to buy a new laptop every year. I want to be able to upgrade the RAM to 8 GB at some point in the near future, and I won't be able to do this on 32-bit windows.

Interesting point of view... Let's talk about it:
First, do you REALLY need a laptop EVERY YEAR? How often do you travel and do you need a PC everywhere you go? Second, if it's not too annoying, what kind of work do you do on your PC? Video editing, photo editing, maybe something that involves a lot of files? Share! Don't be shy. Last - laptops are ALWAYS more expensive than desktops. If you don't always need a portable PC to be everywhere with you, why not consider a desktop? If you buy a very expensive motherboard you should be able to upgrade all components you don't like really easily. And last, even though laptops are more expensive they're actually not more powerful. In fact, it's the opposite! If you're, say, a gamer, the only thing you'd work with is a 2500$ laptop. And you're STILL going to have to replace it every two years or so if you intend being with the latest trends... I got offtopic again. Maybe we should switch to PM...

I already have a very good Desktop PC, HP Media Center with Quad Intel 2.4ghz processors, 4GB RAM, 750 GB HD, DVD/CD-RW, etc..

I need the laptop for college and it's also handy with my job (i'm a network administrator).. I'm not doing high end gaming with the laptop, mostly web browsing, word, excel and to watch the ocassional DVD movie when i'm away and have nothing to do.

I know many will just say that what I bought will be sufficient for a year or 2 but that's always the assumption until 2 years go by- then what you bought is obsolete.

At least if I had the 64-bit OS already, I could always add the 4GB and RAM and prolong it's life cycle by maybe a year or 2.