64 bit installation question

[mallen]

If I rebuild my PC it might be a good time to install the 64 bit version. Would that be the best to get the most performance out of a new motherboard etc?

Also I have two drives. If I installed Windows 7 as 32 bit and now I got to 64 bit will I have access to my 2nd drive? There is no OS on it just files.

 

[gregrocker]

Changing bit-version won't affect your data HD. Unplug it during install.

To get the most out of 64 bit, you'll need more than 4gb of RAM.
32 bit vs 64 bit Comparison - Windows 7 Forums
64-bit More than just the RAM bit-tech.net

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Pretty good chance you would never know the difference given your hardware.

I'd investigate whether or not ALL of my programs would install and run properly on 64-bit. Most will, a few won't.

 

[Night Hawk]

As far as the need for more then 4gb that will depend mainly on the type of softwares you run. For large CAD projects and video capturing/editing, running multiple virtual machines those will tend to need over 4gb to avoid running out of resources.

Don't expect any large performance boost however when going from 4gb to say 8gb. The gain with the 64bit over 32bit is being able to use more and the more efficient data processing seen not any giant leap in overall speed.

The MS recommended is 2.5gb of memory while some run the 64bit 7 with only 2gb installed on older machines. As far as wiping C to see a clean install of the 64bit Windows you wouldn't need to unplug your second drive but will need to assign a new drive letter in the Disk Management tool for it once the 64bit installation is complete. That will initialize the drive and make it available for use.

 

[mallen]

Ok I think I will play it safe and use 32 bit. I would hate it for 1 small program not work in 64 bit and I did all that for nothing. The only memory intensive programs I use are Photoshop, AfterEffects, C4D and I have started to stream Netflix. Thanks everyone.

 

[Night Hawk]

For Photoshop you would likely need the 64bit version as well as the others. When first planning out a new build you need to look over which new programs as well as existing ones you will be running first for any compatibility problems. Since you already purchased some retail products your list does get narrowed a bit.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Even antique 1990s versions of Photoshop (version 4 for instance) will install on Win 7 32. They won't install on Win 7 64 bit because of a 16 bit installer program.

Modern versions of Photoshop will install on either 32 bit or 64 bit Win 7.

Photoshop 4 was the only prog I had that would not install on 64 bit--so I used Win 7 32 bit for over a year. I replaced Photoshop 4 with CS 3 a couple of months ago and therefore was able to upgrade from Win 7 32 bit to Win 7 64 bit---if you choose to call it an upgrade. I can't tell the difference in day to day operation.

 

[Night Hawk]

It depends mainly on whether each program requires a 64bit version or simply supports both 32/64bit Windows. As far as the 32bit 7 that has far more backward compatibility for the old stuff. I even ran old XP drivers for video and sound when a temp install of the 32bit went onto one old case here pointing that out.

As far as pc games those always do seem to fare better for any version or flavor. Some you wouldn't see on the 32bit Vista in any form will go right onto the 32bit 7.

The one other thing I could add here is that 7 will be the last version to see any 32bit editions apparently. So if you feel the 32bit is the way to go now this would be the last to see that.

Getting into the 64bit is involved in other ways not mentioned however as far as how you connect online if your ISP provided hardwares are 32bit only as well as any other addon devices lacking 64bit driver support. I ran into a few of those problems at first when the 64bit beta build was first looked at and finally solved by the time the RCs were out.

 

[theog]

It is always worth cleaning the HD before any reinstall.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

 

[Night Hawk]

I couldn't agree more since I simply delete the entire primary off of any drive before performing a clean install of the OS which sees a brand new one. I've had a few occasions when a simple reformat ended up having problems with a fresh install of Windows.

The full system image option does the exact same when going to restore an image backup. That's also a good thing to consider once you have everything up and running well.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

It is always worth cleaning the HD before any reinstall.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

Hello.

Here's some other relevant information you may find useful and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.


After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media, use Step One of this tutorial at the link below to do a wipe (secure erase) to the entire Hard Disk Drive / Solid State Drive.

• Then if you do not want to create the new Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #2 to create, format and mark Active a single 100GB partition to do the installation to.
• If you do want to create the "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #3 to create, format and mark Active the System Reserved partition and then create and format the 100GB partition to do the installation to.

Either way, running the "clean all" then creating and formatting the partition(s) using diskpart will get you the best possible space to do a clean install of Windows 7 to; you can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional Primary partitions or an Extended partition after the installation completes if you choose.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

 

[mallen]

Would it be best to install the new motherboard/CPU first, and then reinstall windows with clean install?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Would it be best to install the new motherboard/CPU first, and then reinstall windows with clean install?

Yes.

You may run into trouble if you instead were to install Windows and then change the motherboard.

 

[Night Hawk]

A clean install is seen with any new board + cpu since that would be a major change. The hardware profile created when first going to install Windows also helps in seeing keep track of optional updates for hardwares as well.

When putting this case together a new supply cooked the first board while not hurting the cpu however. Since the replacement was the exact same I was able to save that installation until later a need to swap brands of memory to go from 1.9v(manufacturer's supported list) to the board's own manual's specs that showed 1.5v memory. Clean install required!

Just something to note if you run into any similar situation like going to upgrade ram with a different brand once 7 is on.

 

[mallen]

I am a bit confused with the instructions posted above. It shows the command screen and a GUI screen shots. I found this article and it seemed alot easier putting the disk in and following that way. Clean Install Windows 7 - How To Perform a Clean Installation of Windows 7 - Part 1 of 3

Am I missing something that needs to be done in the command prompt that is important?

 

[cluberti]

Using the Windows setup GUI does not "clean" the drive of any data nor align the partitions optimally (on newer drives), but it does repartition the drive and makes it "good enough" for re-use. If you don't want to do a complete wipe and aren't looking to clean the drive nor are worried about what could be recovered from it if the drive was lost, then you can just use Windows setup. If you're using one of the newer "advanced format" hard drives, an SSD, or want to make it a little more difficult for someone to recover any data that may be left behind from the previous install after you reinstall Windows, you should use the guide that was mentioned here instead.

 

[Night Hawk]

Once you have the drive cleaned off entirely the guide you will want to be looking over is seen at http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

It's always best to see a clean install anyways whenever you upgrade a case with a large swapout of hardwares which typically includes board, cpu, memory as well as a newer larger faster hard drive, possibly new video card, and anything else. You start off fresh with a brand new hardware profile as well as a fresh registry to work with. And no clutter hanging around from a previous installation.

 

[mallen]

Ok well that was fun If someone else is considering doing the diskpart and clean install etc, make sure you have all your previous Windows Installation CDs. I cleaned the drive, installed my Windows 7 and then it wouldn't accept the key. This was because it was an upgrade. So I had to install Windows XP (it was a upgrade also) then I had to insert my Windows ME disc. Then it would install XP and then finally Windows 7 64 bit. On top of that I had a major scare. I backed up all my files on DVDs. When I went to open them the drive said they were blank! Every program and many files on multiple disks. I thought maybe it was a 32 bit/ 64 bit issue. I was going to replace my old IDE DVD drive anyway. So I installed a new ATA drive and it works.

 

[gregrocker]

BarefootKid posted the information you needed to activate Upgrade version on a wiped HD. If you didn't want to read it, you could have asked us how to do this instead of wasting your time reinstalling XP.