Solved Did I have 32 bit or 64 bit?

[copiman]

I replaced a hard drive for someone and need to reload the OS. It had 7 Home Premium. I don't know if it was 32bit or 64bit. I do have the product key from the sticker. How would one find out which version it is?

 

[carwiz]

There's probably a way to tell from the PID but my list doesn't show it. How much memory is installed? That would be hint. 4GB and above most likely had x64.

 

[copiman]

3G of RAM

 

[Berton]

Two things, one is to boot to a 64-bit version of the disc, if the computer is only 32-bit it won't install [the 32-bit version will install on 64-bit hardware]. If it does install and you get the Product Key typed in, it will either accept it or not. Either way nothing lost, just do it differently.

Unfortunately, 3GB RAM will work with either version.

 

[carwiz]

@Berton - Just curious but how do you tell a 32-bit PC from a 64-bit PC when there's no OS installed?

 

[Berton]

I have both 32-bit and 64-bit LiveDVD discs for Linux, whichever one will boot I can run directly from that disc. I start with the 64-bit version, if it boots I go with it. If it doesn't boot I try the 32-bit version.

 

[DavidE]

I replaced a hard drive for someone and need to reload the OS. It had 7 Home Premium. I don't know if it was 32bit or 64bit. I do have the product key from the sticker. How would one find out which version it is?

Does the old hard drive still work ?
If it does, can you connect it to another PC and see what is on it ?

Are there any System Backup Images stored on an external device such as a USB drive ?
If there are, can you browse an image to see what's in it ?

If you can't determine what the OS was, with 3 GB of RAM i would use 32 Bit.
The Win 7 license is good for 32 Bit and 64 Bit.

 

[Berton]

Does the old hard drive still work ? If it does, can you connect it to another PC and see what is on it ?

As to David's question, there's a clue on the HDD if you can read it. Both versions will have a Program Files Folder but the 64-bit version will also include a Program Files (x86) Folder where 32-bit programs get installed.

 

[carwiz]

I have both 32-bit and 64-bit LiveDVD discs for Linux, whichever one will boot I can run directly from that disc. I start with the 64-bit version, if it boots I go with it. If it doesn't boot I try the 32-bit version.

What would keep the 64-bit from loading on an empty or new PC? I'm still confused.

 

[Layback Bear]

I have never tried but I think if the PC is not 64 bit capable (cpu and motherboard) Windows 7/64 will not install and for sure will not work.

Some one who has tried please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[strollin]

The product key should work for either 32 or 64 bit. Since the machine only has 3GB of RAM, it's mostly pointless to install 64-bit unless the owner plans to upgrade the RAM to more than 4GB of RAM.

 

[carwiz]

I have never tried but I think if the PC is not 64 bit capable (cpu and motherboard) Windows 7/64 will not install and for sure will not work.

Some one who has tried please correct me if I'm wrong.

All PC CPUs (Intel & AMD) since about 1999 or 2000 (Or whenever XP came out) were x64 capable. The Intel CPU uses the AMD instruction set for x64. You'd have to go back pretty far, as PCs go, for one not to be capable of x64.

 

[gregrocker]

If you're reinstalling then do a Clean Reinstall Windows 7 using 32 bit unless you plan to upgrade the RAM.

What is the make/model of the PC or mobo? If it is factory OEM then check the drivers on the PC"s SUpport Downloads webpage. But even if it only has 64 bit drivers, I've never found a PC that won't run and find all drivers for the other bit version. Most drivers are in the installer or quickly delivered via Windows Updates after install.

Put the network driver in the backup so you can get online quickly to run all Important and Optional Updates. Stick closely to the steps in tutorial above and you'll have a perfect install and keep it that way.

 

[Berton]

What would keep the 64-bit from loading on an empty or new PC? I'm still confused

If the CPU is only 32-bit the 32-bit version of an Operating System will be only one able to be installed. If the CPU is 64-bit either version of the Operating System can be installed.

 

[AddRAM]

If the CPU is 64 bit capable, install 64 Bit, you can always add ram.

 

[VistaUltimate]

It's clear. Insert the x64 DVD and see what happens. If it gives an error with a description "Attempting to boot from a 64-bit application,however not compatible in 32-bit mode.",it is x86. If it is x64,after installing,check in C: to see if there are two Program Files folders,Program Files and Program Files x86. If there are both,you have x64.If you only have the former,it is x86.

Of course,if you don't have 4 GB RAM or more,there's no point in installing 64-bit.

carwiz,the first CPU to support AMD64 was AMD Opteron,released in April 2003.
Not until Windows Server 2003 was released,was there an OS that supported x64.
Intel Itanium was really different.It supported the IA-64 architecture,which was not compatible with x86. Itanium dies,as Windows Server 2008 R2 is the last OS to support it. However,it was the first architecture to support EFI.

 

[DavidE]

Too many "ifs and unknowns" for my limited knowledge/ability ... so i ask questions ...

Why was the HD replaced ?
What are the specs for the PC being worked on ?
What is the budget for the PC owner, can they afford $ (adding RAM, etc.) to the PC ?
What does the owner use the PC for ?

If it's just the "normal" browsing the web, email, etc., adding RAM or any $ cost may not be worth it.
If they do Video Conversions, CAD, Photoshop, etc., maybe hardware upgrades are the best recommendation.

If it's an OLD PC, upgrading hardware on an old PC may not be the best solution, at some point it's not worth the cost to continue using an OLD PC.

 

[copiman]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I learned a lot from them. The original issue was he could not log in using his admin password. Someone told him to use command prompt and reformat the hard drive.. Then his problems began. He could not reload 7. That is when he called me. I attached the drive to my PC and it would not even show up. I put in in another PC and tried to load 7 and it would not. I put a used drive that I keep around for troubleshooting in his laptop and 7 loaded fine. I plan on picking up a drive today and loading 7 for him. The laptop has 3G of RAM so I will let him make the decision on 32 or 64. He said it had 64 on it, but I wonder if he really knows. Anyway, I will let him decide and of course educate him on the difference and the need for more RAM should he choose 64. I will post back after the install to let everyone know the outcome.

Not sure why the drive died. In the words of the church lady on Saturday Night Live said "Maybe its SATAN!!!":devil: Thought that might bring a chuckle.

 

[ThrashZone]

One thing I might of missed here is this a laptop or desktop ?
If it's a laptop with 3 gb ram I'd bet it's 32 bit I have one myself they do it for power saving limiting processes and resources
Desktop you can flip a coin

Another way to tell is if the activation key sticker if it does not say 64 bit
then it's 32 bit

 

[AddRAM]

Please post a manufacturer`s link to the laptop, so we can research further