Apparently my system is both a 32 bit and a 64 bit system...?

[ET1993]

When I run setup and select the upgrade method, the compatibility thing comes back saying;

The following issues are preventing Windows from upgrading. Cancel the upgrade, complete each task, and then restart the upgrade to continue.

• You can’t upgrade 64-bit Windows to a 32-bit version of Windows. To upgrade, obtain a 64-bit version of the installation disc, or go online to see how to install Windows 7 and keep your files and settings.
  
  
• 32-bit Windows cannot be upgraded to a 64-bit version of Windows. To upgrade, obtain a 32-bit version of the Windows installation disc.

My issue here is that I was attempting to upgrade a 64-bit Vista home premium to a 64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate. So really I shouldn't be getting this message at all.

My system is an Acer AM5620-E5203A with a few upgrades

• Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad Core Desktop Processor
• 4GB PC2-5300 DDR2 Memory
• 750GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive **Upgraded with a new 2 terabyte Hitachi harddrive** (so two hard drives)
• 16x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner
• ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro 256MB Graphics Card ** Upgraded ATI Radeon HD 5450**

Acer Aspire AM5620-E5203 Mainstream Desktop Review

Any help is appreciated. Complete wipe isn't preferable as either that means wiping the 750 gig drive (Which is a mess) or booting off my 2 terabyte drive (which means I'll have to clean it up a bit.

 

[seavixen32]

Welcome to Windows Seven Forum.

Press the Windows+Prt Scr key combo to bring up the System window and double-check which version of Vista you have on your system.

If it is the 32-bit version, then you can't upgrade to the 64-bit version of Win 7.

If you have Vista 64-bit then we need to be finding out from Microsoft why you're getting this message.​

 

[theog]

Your link
Acer Aspire AM5620-E5203 Mainstream Desktop Review
states you have 32bit Vista.

 

[whs]

You could try a clean install: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html It is not quite the way it was intended, but it may work.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello ET1993, welcome to Seven Forums!


If you are in-fact using 32-bit Vista and you need to go to 64-bit Windows 7, there is no upgrade path for that and a clean install is in order, it would be best to do a complete wipe secure erase of the SSD first, have a look at these tutorials linked below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Additional Secure Erase / Wipe Information

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version




​

 

[alphanumeric]

Are you sure the Windows 7 DVD you are using to do the upgrade is the 64 bit version? Retail boxes I believe come with both disks 32 bit and 64 bit. maybe you grabbed the wrong one? If it's OEM make sure you didn't get the wrong disk by accident.

 

[ET1993]

Alright, so I'll reply in order.

@seavixen32
when I bring up the systems menu, it says 64 bit. I was under the impression that this was Microsoft though, where would you recommend I go to ask this question then?

@theog
I suppose the reviewers PC had 32 bit then. I have a 64 as seavixen there helped me confirm.

@WHS
When I run the install, it offers both an option just to upgrade, or an option for a clean install. Thanks though!

@ Bare Foot Kid
Thanks for the help, but I'm running 64bit.

@alphanumeric
While that may be true (and I checked) the issue here is the apparent paradox provided is that I can't upgrade 64 bit to 32 bit AND i can't upgrade 32 bit to 64 bit. The fact that both messages came up is what confused me and caused me to post.

Also, how do you post pictures. I don't use message boards often, and tried to post a screen shot of my system window but all i got was a long URL.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Here you go mate; it would still be best to do a wipe and clean install, less isues in the long-run.

How to Upload and Post a Screenshot and File in Seven Forums


​

 

[jcolton08]

I realize this is a year old now, but I could really use some help for this same issue. I have searched the internet high and low for a solution and have found nothing. I have a computer that is giving me the exact same error message (Attached a screenshot). I am trying to fix an issue with .NET 3.5 which is built into windows 7 but when i try and run sfc /scannow it wont work. After doing a large amount of research and trying a number of things i am left with a repair installation of windows which i apparently cannot do. A clean install is not completely out of the question but i would rather leave that for an absolute last resort as it requires a large amount of work to get this computer back to where it was. Thank you so much in advance for any help at all!

 

[gregrocker]

Try another installer from the Repair Install tutorial pink Warning box.

If it errs again as a DVD, then write it to flash stick using Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool.

 

[jcolton08]

So i tried using the DVD i have, burnt a new DVD using a different image, tried it from a USB drive and the thing that worked was downloading a new image of windows 7 pro SP1 from microsoft and ran the upgrade from the ISO. Also had to clear a pending file operation in the registry relating to .NET. Setup randomly crashes now after it begins file copy so there is something very wrong and i am now leaning toward clean install....thank you for your help its much appreciated!

 

[gregrocker]

Follow these steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which are the same for retail.

 

[Brds7t7]

Hi jcolton08, I agree that it's better to go down the Clean Install route.

I've never used an upgrade version. I prefer to clean install from scratch.

As Bare Foot Kid and Greg have said, You'll probably run into less issues doing a clean install. You'll have a fresh new Windows to tweak away at!