Can't upgrade 32-bit to 64-bit on Aspire 3690

CreeDo · 18 May 2010

I installed Win7 32 bit with no issues on an Acer Aspire 3690.
Later I found out the single core processor (a Celeron M 420) is compatible with 64-bit.

So I tried installing the 64 bit version and everything goes smoothly until the final reboot. Then I get a warning about the installation failing, and it reverts to 32. On boot I get "This version of Windows could not be installed. Your previous version of Windows has been restored" blah blah etc.

I tried the upgrade advisor and it warned that my half-gig of ram is low, but otherwise it should be ok.

I saw posts suggesting checking the setup log in the panther folder. I have no idea what I'm looking for in there.

Any suggestions?

richc46 · 18 May 2010

You are doing a clean install?

You cannot do a direct upgrade, you must do a clean install, going from 32 to 64.

joel406 · 18 May 2010

It's just a low power system. Did you format before installing? According to the specs I found on your model Acer I don't know if your CPU is x64. It's possible it's not. However I doubt it came with anything other than XP pre installed. Your Celeron CPU M 420 may be the problem.

stormy13 · 18 May 2010

joel406 said:

It's just a low power system. Did you format before installing? According to the specs I found on your model Acer I don't know if your CPU is x64. It's possible it's not. However I doubt it came with anything other than XP pre installed. Your Celeron CPU M 420 may be the problem.

According to this it isn't,

Mobile Intel® Celeron® Processors 420 - SL8VZ

CreeDo · 18 May 2010

I did choose the clean install option rather than upgrade.

However I did not go as far as to reformat the partition I was choosing (which happened to be the existing win7 partition).

The processor is definitely 64 bit but the single core makes it kind of weak. That shouldn't matter though, should it?

Any other ideas?

richc46 · 18 May 2010

I really do not think that the processer would cause installation problems. I think that performance problems would be more likely.

Disconnect everything from the computer other than mouse, keyboard and monitor.

Format.

Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version[2]=General Tips

Jonathan_King · 18 May 2010

By the way, I don't recommend upgrading to 64-bit at all. 64-bit is for rigs with 4GB+ RAM. Even though your hardware might support x64, it won't give you any advantageous. In fact, x64 uses more resources, so it may run slower.

x64 also has less driver support, although that has become rare these days to the point it's not worrying about.

I recommend sticking with 32-bit.

ken9122 · 18 May 2010

I noticed you said you had a half gig of ram. I believe you need at least 1 gig for 64bit.

Jonathan_King · 18 May 2010

ken9122 said:

I noticed you said you had a half gig of ram. I believe you need at least 1 gig for 64bit.

Ah, yes, good catch. Windows 7 system requirements - Microsoft Windows

gregrocker · 18 May 2010

Lee is right. You will be hobbled trying to run 528mb RAM even on 32 bit, and the weaker Celeron processor compounds the handicap. I could not even run a lightweight AV like Avast on 528mb RAM and only one gadget.

A gig makes all the difference, but for 32 bit. You need 4gb to make 64 bit worthwhile and I would forget it with a Celeron.

No offense, as I have a Celeron on one of my machines, too. It is just a weaker processor to begin with.