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

[Tews]

ShaX .. why are you beating a dead horse.. you have been given several options that will solve your problem... the choice is now yours...

Do you have any further problems that we may address??

 

[mjs]

I've read through the three pages of this thread, and while various posters have come close, the actual question (which wasn't really stated that clearly maybe) hasn't actually been answered yet.

Specifically: Can the UPGRADE version of 64 bit Windows 7 be used to perform a _Clean Install_ on a machine currently running 32-bit windows Vista?

Regardless of whether or not someone _should_ do this, or should be willing to pay for the full version, or just stick to 32bit, can it be done?

We have determined that someone with 32bit Vista must do a "custom install" of 64 bit Win7, we just haven't determined what "custom install" actually means as far as buying a "full" version or an "upgrade" version.

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

I've read through the three pages of this thread, and while various posters have come close, the actual question (which wasn't really stated that clearly maybe) hasn't actually been answered yet.

Specifically: Can the UPGRADE version of 64 bit Windows 7 be used to perform a _Clean Install_ on a machine currently running 32-bit windows Vista?

Regardless of whether or not someone _should_ do this, or should be willing to pay for the full version, or just stick to 32bit, can it be done?

We have determined that someone with 32bit Vista must do a "custom install" of 64 bit Win7, we just haven't determined what "custom install" actually means as far as buying a "full" version or an "upgrade" version.

Custom install is as its name states, custom.

Most tend to suggest a clean install (which is done with custom install) which I suggest, I believe that there is no direct upgrade from 32-bit > 64-bit (let alone 32-bit Vista > 64-bit 7).

However if you do a custom install, and did a clean install over your existing Windows Vista. I believe your files/documents would be saved to a Windows.old folder on that hard drive/partition (which would just be C:\)

 

[Dave76]

Get the 64bit vista from Toshiba then Win7 64bit

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).

For everyone that has posted here, I am not contradicting anyone, just commenting from my experience.


As we don't know for sure from MS, but, I remember reading that they only sell/give the Upgrade version for 32bit Vista/XP to 32bit Win7 and 64bit Vista/XP to 64bit Win7.

In other words you need a 64bit Vista OS in order to get the Win7 64bit Upgrade version.

You definitely should get a Vista 64bit equivalent OS DVD from Toshiba.

From my experience dealing with OEM on the 32bit to 64bit Vista OS, most OEMs do give you a free or for shipping cost a 64bit equivalent OS on request.

For some reason they all seem to refuse this request initially, don't know why.
I would suggest to go to the users forums and search the subject there.

I went through this With Dell, and I got 2ea 64bit Vista equivalent OS DVDs sent to me for free. They at first told me no, they don't do that. On the users forum the Dell Moderator clarified that and 'everyone who asked' got one, for free.

I have a Toshiba laptop also and remember seeing the same thing on the Toshiba site.
Just did a quick search, found this but not a definite answer.

Toshiba Upgrade to Win7

It doesn't say you can, but doesn't say you can't. Typical OEM.

Toshiba Upgrade program FAQ

Same here.

If you get a free or $10 Vista 64bit DVD from Toshiba, then you can request the Win7 64bit Upgrade.

Call them, and search their web-site, search their users forum.

It's very late, but will reply here if I find anything on this tomorrow.

Good luck and do some searching on this.

 

[sup3rsprt]

Specifically: Can the UPGRADE version of 64 bit Windows 7 be used to perform a _Clean Install_ on a machine currently running 32-bit windows Vista?

I'm not sure that it's possible to answer this question at this point in time, as I don't think anyone has the upgrade media to test it.

To me, it wouldn't really make sense for it not to work. But then again Microsoft does tend to do things that don't make any sense sometimes.

Maybe they will want you to purchase the full version in order to upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit. See, even saying that doesn't make any sense.

 

[Dave76]

Specifically: Can the UPGRADE version of 64 bit Windows 7 be used to perform a _Clean Install_ on a machine currently running 32-bit windows Vista?

I'm not sure that it's possible to answer this question at this point in time, as I don't think anyone has the upgrade media to test it.

To me, it wouldn't really make sense for it not to work. But then again Microsoft does tend to do things that don't make any sense sometimes.

Maybe they will want you to purchase the full version in order to upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit. See, even saying that doesn't make any sense.

Especially when MS was/is (are they still doing that?) giving the 64bit DVD for shipping cost, as were most OEMs and some give it for free.

As you said "But then again Microsoft does tend to do things that don't make any sense sometimes."

I can't see why you couldn't switch from 32bit to 64bit via upgrade since it is capable of doing a clean install, ... see above quote...

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
This has been flogged to death but it CAN be done.

I did it from XP ===>W7 x-64.

1) Upgrade VISTA has both 32 bit and 64 bit DVD. (If it didn't come with your initial media you can get the DVD from MS for I think around 8 EUR / 10 USD.

2) Upgrade XP ====>Vista X-86. You are stating from Vista so you don't need this step but this is what I did.

3) Now install VISTA X-64. You have to boot the 64 bit DVD but it will check for a version of VISTA on your machine.

4) Clean install is the only one that will work here -- now you've got VISTA x-64.

5) Update to W7 x-64 will work now with upgrade disk you should receive via the Vista ==> upgrade process if you got your machine recently. Clean install will also work - but upgrade needs to check that an existing system exists on your disk.

(If you've got a FULL W7 disk you don't need to do any of this of course).

Please guys END OF STORY --THIS IS HOW IT WORKS.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[WindowsInformer]

The upgrade just upgrades the operating system, it does not touch the bits. You will need to buy the full version and do a clean install if you want 64-bit.

 

[Dave76]

The upgrade just upgrades the operating system, it does not touch the bits. You will need to buy the full version and do a clean install if you want 64-bit.

I believe the discussion is about buying the 'upgrade version' of windows 7 installation ISO or DVD.

You can buy this for a lower price if you already have the equivalent Vista or XP OS already installed and activated.

You are correct, you must do a Custom/Clean install when going from 32bit to 64bit OS, the upgrade installation technique will not work in this case.

 

[mjs]

@Dave76: I think I have been misunderstood. I _know_ you can not "upgrade" from 32bit Vista to 64bit Win7. That is not what I am asking.

In many cases, the "upgrade" software is in fact the SAME software (iso, disc, etc) as the "full" version, but it will not install without proof that the previous version exists (ie. putting in the disc from your old OS to prove you bought it, and can thus "upgrade").

So perhaps I should have asked my question this way:

1. Does the "upgade" disc of Windows 7 in fact actually include the entire OS just like on a "Full" version?

2. If the answer to question 1 is YES, then can that "upgade" disc be used to do a CLEAN install of 64-bit Win 7 by proving I have the 32-bit Vista disc while doing the install.

I am not trying to "upgrade" Windows, I am hoping to do a clean install of win7 (64) using an upgrade disc by proving I have the previous OS.

@Jimbo: You have described a different method. Your method does not preclude the possibility of the method I am discussing, so the question hasn't really been answered, thus the horse isn't quite dead yet.

Frankly, people who are "tired" of this discussion don't have to click on the thread. I never understood people who want to shut down a discussion in which they aren't being forced to participate.

 

[Tews]

Hey mjs...

The honest answer is that no one really knows at this point... there has been a lot of conjecture and opinion but until someone actually tries with the upgrade disc that is released on the 22nd we just dont know... maybe you can tell us when you try...

 

[Dave76]

@Dave76: I think I have been misunderstood. I _know_ you can not "upgrade" from 32bit Vista to 64bit Win7. That is not what I am asking.

I did understand your question, there is a reference from MS (don't have it available right now) that said you can't use the upgrade DVD to install 64bit Win7 onto a 32bit version of Win7. Which would of coarse have to be a custom/clean install as will be required if you have XP.

I was actually saying it doesn't make any sense as MS is basically giving away 64bit equivalent OS to people with 32bit OS, if they request it.

In many cases, the "upgrade" software is in fact the SAME software (iso, disc, etc) as the "full" version, but it will not install without proof that the previous version exists (ie. putting in the disc from your old OS to prove you bought it, and can thus "upgrade").

MS has said that they are changing this from what the Vista requirements were. Evidently to stop the work around ie. just putting in the old OS disk.
Now they are saying that the upgrade must be done on an activated Vista or XP OS.

So perhaps I should have asked my question this way:

1. Does the "upgade" disc of Windows 7 in fact actually include the entire OS just like on a "Full" version?

It seems that way, to upgrade from XP you must do a custom/clean install.

2. If the answer to question 1 is YES, then can that "upgade" disc be used to do a CLEAN install of 64-bit Win 7 by proving I have the 32-bit Vista disc while doing the install.

MS has changed statements on this subject, so we don't know for sure.
They have previously said no to that question. They say that an activated OS will be required.

I am not trying to "upgrade" Windows, I am hoping to do a clean install of win7 (64) using an upgrade disc by proving I have the previous OS.

@Jimbo: You have described a different method. Your method does not preclude the possibility of the method I am discussing, so the question hasn't really been answered, thus the horse isn't quite dead yet.

Frankly, people who are "tired" of this discussion don't have to click on the thread. I never understood people who want to shut down a discussion in which they aren't being forced to participate.

mjs,

The honest answer is what Tews said in the post after yours "no one really knows".
We will all find out after Oct 22.

Some of this thread was referring to the OP question.
The short answer to his question is:
1. Get the 64bit DVD of the equivalent current OS from his OEM. Example: If he has a 32bit version of Vista Home Premium now he can get the 64bit version of Vista Home Premium from Toshiba for shipping costs.
2. Then he can request the 64bit Win7 upgrade from Toshiba.