Solved 32 bit --> 64 bit

[markg2]

I'm currently running Windows 7 32 bit. I had purchased and used the upgrade disk to move from the machine installed Vista to Win7 in '07 or '08 after purchasing the Thinkpad.

I recently (after some informative discussions here) upgraded RAM from 2-->4GB. Of which, due to the 32 bit OS, I'm only utilizing ~3GB.

Given the increased performance resulting from the increase in memory plus that fact that now the 64 bit platform is no longer bleeding edge stuff and drivers are not an issue, I'm now seriously serioulsy considering moving to 64 bit so that I can utilize all 4GB of RAM.

From what I gather online, my Win7 upgrade disk has 64 bit on it and can be invoked somehow? I understand that the change will not preserve my files and that I'll need to reinstall all applications and data files?

2 questions:

1. Am I correct that the MS upgrade disk that I used going from Vista to Win7 can be used again to move from Win7 32 bit to Win7 64 bit?

2. Am I correct that I will then have only the OS on the machine and will need to reinstall all applications and data?

3. Does this idea sound even remotely reasonable ?

Mark

 

[seavixen32]

You cannot upgrade from Win 7 32-bit to Win 7 64-bit, it will have to be a clean install.

You will have to re-install all your applications and data.

 

[markg2]

Fine--but to confirm, I can do so using the same upgrade disk?

 

[Ztruker]

The 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows 7 are on separate discs. I do not believe the upgrade disc you purchased has 64 bit on it.

 

[karlsnooks]

Markg,

Before you get to far along:

GRC | SecurAble: Determine Processor Security Features |  

Run that program to 100% confirm that you can install and utilize a 64 bit os.

You can use dism to find out what images are on your dvd.

However, I will tell you in advance, MS only puts 32 bit versions on one dvd and 64 bit versions on another dvd.

DISM.exe /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:C:\test\images\myimage.wim

That's the general format that you need, but of course you have to put the actual boot.wim file in there. I thought I had a write-up on this but haven't found it yet. The end-result will be separate dvds.

 

[bobkn]

The 32 and 64 bit upgrades come on separate DVDs. You may be able to use your license key with a 64 bit upgrade, if you can come up with installation media. (Some retail .iso files are on the Net, although we aren't allowed to post links. Web search may turn them up. Hint: mydigitallife.)

You can't do an upgrade-in-place for a 32 bit version of Windows to a 64 bit version. You'll have to re-install all applications.

Do 64 bit drivers exist for all of the peripherals in your notebook? You may want to run the 64 bit version of the Upgrade Advisor.

 

[karlsnooks]

Markg,
Here's the dism command you will need:

dism /get-wiminfo /wimfile:e:\sources\install.wim

where E: is the drive with the Win 7 dvd
and you must run dism from an elevated command prompt, i.e., run cmd.exe as administrator.

 

[markg2]

The CPU is correct for the task but the Windows7UpgradeAdvisorSetup.exe is not. I've installed and run the thing twice and twice it has 'stopped working' and 'go online for a solution' simply resulted in the application closing.

It might be time to take a Zen approach to this thing, say it wasn't meant to be and simply stay put with my ~3.1GB of useable memory.

Mark

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello mate, I don't think anyone posted this for you.

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

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[markg2]

So if I found the media and if I downloaded the media and if I burned the ISO file to a DVD for installation can I assume that the opportunity to enter my current key to determine if it is acceptable will occur before the installation nukes my current drive?

 

[Ztruker]

I don't remember when the installer asks for the key but the validations does not occuyr until the install is done and you are booting so it's aone way street.

The best way to handle this is to use a different hard drive or make an image backup of your current drive before starting the install.

 

[markg2]

I don't get it--

If the install asks for the key after booting then how could the thing be installed on a second or any other drive than the boot drive partition?

I have a scheduled image to my wife's computer every night but I'm not sure I care to rely on installing Acronis on the 'new' OS and going for the image restore.

Or, I could just look at this whole thing as an exploration into the unknown with probable awful consequences

Mark

 

[theog]

So if I found the media and if I downloaded the media and if I burned the ISO file to a DVD for installation can I assume that the opportunity to enter my current key to determine if it is acceptable will occur before the installation nukes my current drive?

NO, as you will need to reformat the current drive first.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[Ztruker]

Re: Acronis, no need to install it. Boot the Acronis install CD or create an Acronis Recovery CD and boot it. Either will allow you restore the image.

 

[gregrocker]

The answer to your macro question is: YES, you can use either 32 bit or 64 bit with each Win7 license.

So if you find the 64 bit installer, save a Win7 backup image in addition to your Acronis, then boot the DVD to clean reinstall. Unless you wipe the HD first, the installer will see Windows on the drive and allow use of Upgrade version key up front; otherwise wait until afterwards to insert it and do one of the workarounds in the Clean Install tutorial posted earlier.

 

[markg2]

Thanks to all...I'm back from the gym and have decided that life can be complicated enough without me tempting further complications.

After posting this message I'm deleting the 64 bit file that I downloaded earlier.

If I decide to go ahead with a 64 bit install I will purchase a new MS disk.

Mark

 

[gregrocker]

They may sell you just the install media if you tell them you want to swap 32 bit for 64. I would certainly not pay for a new license just to change bit-versions, unless you want a second copy for elsewhere.

 

[markg2]

So following the reply from Greg...

>>>>The answer to your macro question is: YES, you can use either 32 bit or 64 bit with each Windows 7 license.<<<<<

So I wouldn't need to 'trick' the install and MS, when I enter my same key used several years ago for the Vista-->Win7 32 bit upgrade, would remove their association of that key from the 32 bit version to a new 64 bit version?


>>>>>So if you find the 64 bit installer, save a Windows 7 backup image in addition to your Acronis, then boot the DVD to clean reinstall. <<<<<<

Clarification by (my) restatement: The 64 bit installer to which you refer is the ISO file that I've downloaded and is the Windows 7 image to which you refer--it is the image that I will burn to a DVD becoming the boot/install media that will 1) recognize that I have a valid Win7 (upgrade) install, 2) initiate the drive reformatting, perform the 64 bit install and finally request entry of the Key?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Here you go mate!

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

​

 

[markg2]

Regarding using the Acronis boot CD--I had a bad experience some years back booting from the imaging rescue CD (a much earlier version of either Ghost or Acronis) and then it being assumed by the software that I knew all the proper networking jargon and syntax to map the computer to my wife's. I ended up aborting and restoring the computer to the OS from the hidden partition.

I just created a boot DVD from my current '10 version of Acronis and will later this day boot from the thing as a test 1) of the DVD's integrity and 2) hopefully the DVD's advanced intelligence .