Maybe a Stupid Installation Question But......

[Birddude007]

My wife needs to upgrade her computer to 7 from Vista Home Premium, I have the installation disc for my computer from when I upgraded mine to 7 Ultimate.
I see there are some legitimate places on the web where I can purchase valid product keys, they are sent to me along with a CD with Windows Install on it, however I cannot wait until it gets here.
Question is- can I use the product CD I have on her computer along with the new valid product key?
another question- Can I be able to upgrade it to 7 Ultimate even though her computer is Vista Home Premium?
Sorry for the stupid question

 

[TwoCables]

As long as it's 32-bit to 32-bit or 64-bit to 64-bit, the upgrade should work fine, as long as you can get a legitimate and legal Product Key for 7 Ultimate.

 

[gregrocker]

Are you sure she needs the few extra expensive features in Ultimate? Most users don't. Compare Windows 7 Editions - Windows 7 Forums

I would not buy a key from eBay or any other than a major retailer as we see counterfeit Win7 here a lot.

You should have 30 days to activate if you skip the key during install.

More tips here to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 same for retail.

 

[Birddude007]

I put the CD in it and it had a window pop up saying it was not compatable with my current version(Vista Home Premium)
I looked up the upgrade on the web and noticed I can only upgrade it up to 7 home premium

I tried to boot it up with the disk and nearly fried the computer, had to run a start up repair on it, luckily it is running again

 

[TwoCables]

I put the CD in it and it had a window pop up saying it was not compatable with my current version(Vista Home Premium)
I looked up the upgrade on the web and noticed I can only upgrade it up to 7 home premium

I tried to boot it up with the disk and nearly fried the computer, had to run a start up repair on it, luckily it is running again

Wow. This would make me give up right now.

 

[Birddude007]

I think I found the problem as to why I got issues, the CD says it is for 64-bit x64 upgrade, no wonder I nearly killed my wifes laptop......boy was she gettin pissed

 

[TwoCables]

I think I found the problem as to why I got issues, the CD says it is for 64-bit x64 upgrade, no wonder I nearly killed my wifes laptop......boy was she gettin pissed

So she has 32-bit Vista?

 

[Birddude007]

I guess what I will do is order a 32 git upgrade to 7 home premium and just have patience and wait this time.
If anyone in here has any options or ideas my ears are open.

Her laptop works awesome even though it is four years old, and she is actually happy with Vista, but some online work she wants to do is requiring her to have Windows 7 on it

 

[Birddude007]

I think I found the problem as to why I got issues, the CD says it is for 64-bit x64 upgrade, no wonder I nearly killed my wifes laptop......boy was she gettin pissed

So she has 32-bit Vista?

Yep sure does....is that a problem? please excuse me for my lack of computer knowledge

 

[TwoCables]

I think I found the problem as to why I got issues, the CD says it is for 64-bit x64 upgrade, no wonder I nearly killed my wifes laptop......boy was she gettin pissed

So she has 32-bit Vista?

Yep sure does....is that a problem? please excuse me for my lack of computer knowledge

No, but it's like I said: the only possible upgrade paths are 32-bit to 32-bit, and 64-bit to 64-bit. 32-bit to 64-bit isn't possible, and neither is 64-bit to 32-bit. This is due to the difference in the Kernel.

 

[gregrocker]

The disk if a different bit version would flag incompatible when run from Vista, but still should boot to do a Clean Install Windows 7 unless you have a very rare processor that is not 64 bit.

But if it has less than 2gb RAM I would Upgrade or Clean Install 32 bit anyway. If it's 4gb or greater RAM I would definitely try to boot the 64 bit DVD to do the Clean Install.

How to Boot A Computer from CD or DVD - YouTube

 

[Birddude007]

So she has 32-bit Vista?

Yep sure does....is that a problem? please excuse me for my lack of computer knowledge

No, but it's like I said: the only possible upgrade paths are 32-bit to 32-bit, and 64-bit to 64-bit. 32-bit to 64-bit isn't possible, and neither is 64-bit to 32-bit. This is due to the difference in the Kernel.

Ha Ha! no wonder I got that pop up warning saying it wasn't compatable with my current verson lol, I just screwed up by rebooting the machine with it in it and it really got pissed at me lol....shows how much I know about computers lol.

I will just order a good copy and go from there step by step with lots of patients, I am too anxious for this kind of stuff

 

[Birddude007]

The disk if a different bit version would flag incompatible when run from Vista, but still should boot to do a Clean Install Windows 7 unless you have a very rare processor that is not 64 bit.

But if it has less than 2gb RAM I would Upgrade or Clean Install 32 bit anyway. If it's 4gb or greater RAM I would definitely try to boot the 64 bit DVD to do the Clean Install.

How to Boot A Computer from CD or DVD - YouTube

hmmmmm yet more good info, however when going through the boot up issues I just went through I am reluctant to put that disc back in again lol(do you blame me?)
one problem I had was that it decided to over heat during that fiasco, so the computer kept turning off within a few seconds of pushing the power button, I unplugged it took it to my workshop and blew out the ducts and fan area and replugged it in and it proceeded to work just fine and then it did a start up repair that I authorized.
this computer is four years old HP, AMP dual core turion 2.1 GHZ, I upgraded it from 2 gig of ram to 4 about two years ago. I think I am just gonna stick with the 32 bit version and just get a good copy of Windows 7 Home Premium
besides that would a 64 bit clean install wipe all her information/data out?
Thanks for your help

 

[TwoCables]

The disk if a different bit version would flag incompatible when run from Vista, but still should boot to do a Clean Install Windows 7 unless you have a very rare processor that is not 64 bit.

But if it has less than 2gb RAM I would Upgrade or Clean Install 32 bit anyway. If it's 4gb or greater RAM I would definitely try to boot the 64 bit DVD to do the Clean Install.

How to Boot A Computer from CD or DVD - YouTube

hmmmmm yet more good info, however when going through the boot up issues I just went through I am reluctant to put that disc back in again lol(do you blame me?)
one problem I had was that it decided to over heat during that fiasco, so the computer kept turning off within a few seconds of pushing the power button, I unplugged it took it to my workshop and blew out the ducts and fan area and replugged it in and it proceeded to work just fine and then it did a start up repair that I authorized.
this computer is four years old HP, AMP dual core turion 2.1 GHZ, I upgraded it from 2 gig of ram to 4 about two years ago. I think I am just gonna stick with the 32 bit version and just get a good copy of Windows 7 Home Premium
besides that would a 64 bit clean install wipe all her information/data out?
Thanks for your help

Any clean installation would.

Yep sure does....is that a problem? please excuse me for my lack of computer knowledge

No, but it's like I said: the only possible upgrade paths are 32-bit to 32-bit, and 64-bit to 64-bit. 32-bit to 64-bit isn't possible, and neither is 64-bit to 32-bit. This is due to the difference in the Kernel.

Ha Ha! no wonder I got that pop up warning saying it wasn't compatable with my current verson lol, I just screwed up by rebooting the machine with it in it and it really got pissed at me lol....shows how much I know about computers lol.

I will just order a good copy and go from there step by step with lots of patients, I am too anxious for this kind of stuff

Just in case you ever wonder why I didn't tell you before: I said it in my first post in this thread.

 

[gregrocker]

Files should always be backed up externally as the HD can die at any time. A good way to do this while syncing them at the same time is Sync, Backup and Store your Files to the Cloud with Skydrive - Windows 7 Help Forums

While a reaction to trying to run a 64 bit disk from 32 bit can be abrupt or even possibly Blue Screen, there is nothing about it or booting a disk that could be damaging.

If it overheats then that's another issue which should be solved by installing a temperature monitoring program like Core Temp to monitor the temps to compare with the CPU's maximum temps available at What is my Computers Maximum CPU Temperature?

Chronic overheating is resolved by blowing the dust out of the PC regularly, or if necessary repasting the processor: Cleaning Tips / Removing Dustbunnies (NCIX Tech Tips #13)
How to Apply Thermal Compound to a CPU - YouTube

 

[Birddude007]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all of your opinions and advice, I can always come in here and get some good solid advice....maybe I should in the future just come in here first before I even touch the computer lol

 

[TwoCables]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all of your opinions and advice, I can always come in here and get some good solid advice....maybe I should in the future just come in here first before I even touch the computer lol

That sounds sensible to me. hehe