Install Windows 7201 x64 from within Windows Vista x86

[fusion1]

Hey guys, I want to try Windows 7 7201 x64 on my laptop. I don't wanna burn a DVD but use the Virtual Clone Drive like I used on my x86 desktop. Is this possible to install a fresh copy of x64 on a new partition from within Windows Vista SP2 x86? I tried and it wouldn't let me for some reason. Is there a way around this?

 

[nate42nd]

I believe you could boot to the disk and install th 64 bit on a different partition. 32 and 64 bit are not compatible so you can't run the setup from within 32 bit. You could also make a bootable USB stick and do it that way. It's faster.

 

[fusion1]

So there is no way to do this with Virtual Clone Drive? Am I going to have to break down and burn a DVD?

 

[SIW2]

You will need to do it externally from dvd or usb.

 

[fusion1]

Guess I can try the USB method. What do I need to do besides moving the files to the USB drive?

 

[SIW2]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

 

[Avien]

I think i need to tell brink to post a second form of that Tutorial. I found a much easier way to do this and if you are using Vista or later then it will work just using Windows.

Here is the guide.

This will walk through the steps to create a bootable USB flash drive for the purpose of installing a Vista or Windows 7 OS. These instructions assume that you have a computer with Windows Vista installed on it.

Required:

• USB Flash Drive (4GB+)
• Microsoft OS Disk (Vista / Windows 7)
• A computer running Vista / Windows 7

Step 1: Format the Drive
The steps here are to use the command line to format the disk properly using the diskpart utility. [Be warned: this will erase everything on your drive. Be careful.]

1. Plug in your USB Flash Drive
2. Open a command prompt as administrator (Click on Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt and Right-Click to select “Run as administrator”
3. Find the drive number of your USB Drive by typing the following into the Command Prompt window:
   diskpart
   list disk
   The number of your USB drive will listed. You’ll need this for the next step. I’ll assume that the USB flash drive is disk 1.
4. Format the drive by typing the next instructions into the same window. Replace the number “1” with the number of your disk below.
   select disk 1
   clean
   create partition primary
   select partition 1
   active
   format fs=NTFS
   assign
   exit
   When that is done you’ll have a formatted USB flash drive ready to be made bootable.

Step 2: Make the Drive Bootable
Next we’ll use the bootsect utility that comes on the Vista or Windows 7 disk to make the flash drive bootable. In the same command window that you were using in Step 1:

1. Insert your Windows Vista / 7 DVD into your drive.
2. Change directory to the DVD’s boot directory where bootsect lives: (assuming it is d)
   d:
   cd d:\boot
3. Use bootsect to set the USB as a bootable NTFS drive prepared for a Vista/7 image. I’m assuming that your USB flash drive has been labeled disk E:\ by the computer:
   bootsect /nt60 e:
4. You can now close the command prompt window, we’re done here.

Step 3: Copy the installation DVD to the USB drive
The easiest way is to use Windows explorer to copy all of the files on your DVD on to the formatted flash drive. After you’ve copied all of the files the disk you are ready to go.

Step 4: Set your BIOS to boot from USB
This is where you’re on your own since every computer is different. Most BIOS’s allow you to hit a key at boot and select a boot option.

Edited from Source:
http://kmwoley.com/blog/?p=345

 

[SIW2]

Hi Avien,

Thanks - that is covered in Method Two in the tutorial.

 

[fusion1]

Thanks Avien. I did follow Method 1 andf it worked like a charm. I did try it first with x86 just to make sure it worked first with an OS I am familiar with. Never installed x64 anything. The new 7201 Win 7 build on my Compaq Presario F572US with AMD Athlon 64 X2 runs like a champ. Makes me think there is some deeper problem with my Vista Home Premium on the other partition. Seems like it lags a good minute once it gets to desktop. That said it has been the same OS since 9/2008 and usually I don't go that long before I complete reformat.

 

[SIW2]

If you feel Vista isn't running so well, the age of the install has an effect of course, as does the manufacturer bloatware.

Seven will feel better - a new install always does, plus no manufacturer rubbish - and of course it doesn't include a few things, like Software Explorer, Media Center, etc.

Glad it worked for you

 

[antalgebra]

glad this worked out for you

Re-iterating here, there is no way to perform an upgrade from an x86 OS to a 64 bit one. Period.

although, once you go 64, you can just always upgrade to the newer builds, staying within the same architecture. I like to upgrade whenever possible, makes me feel like im sitting in a new OS everytime