Need some advice...

[1337]

Hello again, recently, my PC is acting all weird again so I have decided that I am going to format it and I was thinking of using 64-bit Windows 7.

And, I have heard quite many issues with 64-bit but still I would like to give this a try since I have nothing to lose and well, something to show off to my friends. XD

I am wondering before I go for it, I need some advice on the following because this is my first try.

1.) I have 4 GB of RAM, will this be the minimium?
2.) I have seen some threads saying that their 64-bit OS can't read their RAM more than 3.25 GB. Will that happen to me also?
3.) IF I can't find my drivers and all, can I use 32-bit drivers for them?
4.) Can I install 32-bit softwares on 64-bit OS?
5.) Lastly, the most important question, I can check my WEI's score and they said that my PC is 64-bit capable. Can I trust them or do I need to do more advance thigns to see if my PC can run 64-bit?

Sorry for being so gayish and paranoid but please help me... Thanks!!!

 

[zigzag3143]

Hello again, recently, my PC is acting all weird again so I have decided that I am going to format it and I was thinking of using 64-bit Windows 7.

And, I have heard quite many issues with 64-bit but still I would like to give this a try since I have nothing to lose and well, something to show off to my friends. XD

I am wondering before I go for it, I need some advice on the following because this is my first try.

1.) I have 4 GB of RAM, will this be the minimium? should be
2.) I have seen some threads saying that their 64-bit OS can't read their RAM more than 3.25 GB. Will that happen to me also? 32 bit cant 64 can
3.) IF I can't find my drivers and all, can I use 32-bit drivers for them? NO
4.) Can I install 32-bit softwares on 64-bit OS?YES
5.) Lastly, the most important question, I can check my WEI's score and they said that my PC is 64-bit capable. Can I trust them or do I need to do more advance thigns to see if my PC can run 64-bit?DL and run grc.com/secura, and it will tell you for sure

Sorry for being so gayish and paranoid but please help me... Thanks!!!

No problem let us know if you need further asistance

Ken J

 

[bobkn]

1) You can use less than 4GB. Many people install X64 to address all of 4GB, though. There's less point to it if you don't have 4GB.

2) Possibly. Probably not. As you haven't listed your motherboard, it's hard to say.

3) No.

4) Yes. There's little 64 bit code out there. Most software is 32 bit. (X64 doesn't permit installing old 16 bit code. Some 32 bit code uses a 16 bit installer, which causes a problem. I've never seen it myself, though.)

5) You could download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor:

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - Download - Microsoft Windows

It's not foolproof, but it may be helpful.

One worry about upgrading to Windows 7 is that some vendors haven't bothered to produce drivers for their peripherals (graphics cards, sound cards, printers, etc.). This is true of of the 32 bit version, but X64 may be slightly worse. It would be wise to check the availability of drivers for all of your devices. The Upgrade Advisor may spot some problems.

One advantage of Win7 over Vista was that Win7, at launch had more built-in device drivers than Vista. Many devices didn't need additional downloads to function properly. Windows Update fills in some gaps.

 

[1337]

Once again, thanks again for the replies.

Here are my computer specs, if I didn't copy them wrongly. Can anyone help me to check if my specs can run Windows 7 64-bit?

Acer MCP73, Dual Core Intel Core 2 Duo E4600, 2400 MHz (12 x 200)
1 GB DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM x2
NVIDIA GeForce 8400 (256 MB)
Acer P193W [19" LCD] (LAU0C0194035)
nVIDIA MCP73 - High Definition Audio Controller

Also, I will DL the Advisor tonight after I get home.
Thanks for all the help and I will be going for 64-bit after I can get my drivers. XD

Much thanks!
WDC WD32 00AAJS-22B4A SCSI Disk Device (298 GB)
WDC WD50 00AADS-00S9B SCSI Disk Device (465 GB)

 

[tw33k]

That processor supports 64 bit so go for it.

 

[karlsnooks]

1337,

Win 7 is NOT XP.

Win 7 is NOT XP.

Don't worry about fetching drivers.

What version of Win 7 will you be installing?

Please read these tutorials:
Clean Install - Prepare a drive for
Clean Install Windows 7
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

 

[JMH]

I agree with what the others have said.

Good luck & let us know how you go.

 

[1337]

Thanks for all the help now but so far, I am having a little trouble. Sorry.

Today, I have bought a new 2 GB RAM, added into my system which will made 4 GB. Which I am getting ready for 64-bit W7 OS but...

My system shows me that, 'Installed memory (RAM): 4.00 GB (Usable 3.25 GB)'? <- This is when I am still in 32-bit mode.

I have searched the forum and done this;
1.) Using msconfig to use the 'Maximum Memory' -> I tried putting my max valve (4096) and 0 but no luck.
2.) Went into my BIOS and enable 'Memory Remapping'
3.) Checked my 'Resource Monitor' and the result is;
Available: 2303
Cache: 1233
Total: 3327
Installed: 4096
-- Hardware reserved is = 769 MB
-- I have tried using onboard graphics and I have an graphics card, tried switching around them but it is the same. =C

So, I was wondering, is it because of my hardware? I don't know what hardware is using it. Is it important? If not, can I disable it? Will this still remain if I have switch to 64-bit mode? Otherwise, my money would gone down the waste because previously I have 3 GB of RAM.

So sorry for troubling again!

 

[severedsolo]

Windows is seeing all 4GB of Ram, "Hardware Reserved" is Ram which has been allocated to a piece of hardware (probably a graphics card)

Basically, get a graphics card with its own memory, or you the most you will be able to get is 3.25.

You can't disable it without installing a new card. I assume its on board graphics, as most proper GPU's have their own Ram. Sorry I can't be more help.

Edit: Just to show you how its working:
Total Ram - 4Gb or 4096MB (which Windows can see)
Hardware allocated Ram - 769 MB (probably graphics card)
4096-769 = 3327MB or about 3.25GB which is usable.

 

[karlsnooks]

completely normal for a 32 bit system.

 

[1337]

Windows is seeing all 4GB of Ram, "Hardware Reserved" is Ram which has been allocated to a piece of hardware (probably a graphics card)

Basically, get a graphics card with its own memory, or you the most you will be able to get is 3.25.

You can't disable it without installing a new card. I assume its on board graphics, as most proper GPU's have their own Ram. Sorry I can't be more help.

Edit: Just to show you how its working:
Total Ram - 4Gb or 4096MB (which Windows can see)
Hardware allocated Ram - 769 MB (probably graphics card)
4096-769 = 3327MB or about 3.25GB which is usable.

Thanks for the information. I hope that this will be reversed when I am in 64-bit mode.

 

[severedsolo]

I'm sorry to tell you that it won't be. Read my post again

Your Graphics Controller (probably) has told the BIOS and Windows that it wants 769MB of RAM. Therefore, that Ram will ALWAYS be allocated to that hardware. 64 bit will not help you in this instance.

The only thing 64 Bit will do is help you break the "4GB" barrier. So if you put 5GB of Ram into your machine, you will have 4.25GB available (after Hardware Reserved)

Under 32 bit, Windows won't see the extra 1GB because of address limitations, so you will still only have 3.25 available, even if you had 5GB installed.

The only way to reclaim the "lost" Ram thats being swallowed by Hardware Reserved is to install a Dedicated Graphics Card with its own RAM.

Btw, Im assuming that its the Graphics that is swallowing it, I'm fairly sure that normally Graphics is the only thing that "steals" Ram like that, but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[1337]

I'm sorry to tell you that it won't be. Read my post again

Your Graphics Controller (probably) has told the BIOS and Windows that it wants 769MB of RAM. Therefore, that Ram will ALWAYS be allocated to that hardware. 64 bit will not help you in this instance.

The only thing 64 Bit will do is help you break the "4GB" barrier. So if you put 5GB of Ram into your machine, you will have 4.25GB available (after Hardware Reserved)

Under 32 bit, Windows won't see the extra 1GB because of address limitations, so you will still only have 3.25 available, even if you had 5GB installed.

The only way to reclaim the "lost" Ram thats being swallowed by Hardware Reserved is to install a Dedicated Graphics Card with its own RAM.

Btw, Im assuming that its the Graphics that is swallowing it, I'm fairly sure that normally Graphics is the only thing that "steals" Ram like that, but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Thank you for clearing my doubt on such detailed explanation. And, it looks like I have wasted my money on this new RAM for this matter of fact.
If it is the graphics card, what is the name or how do I address it if I were to search for it? Sorry for being a stupid at hardware.

 

[severedsolo]

Can you please fill out your System Specs? http://www.sevenforums.com/usercp.php

If you don't know them then Speccy will tell you

By the way, you haven't "wasted" your money, before you would have had 2GB of Ram of which only 1.25GB was usable, so you have DEFINITELY done yourself a favour, although Windows 7 will run on 1GB of RAM, 2GB is better, and 3-4GB is the "sweet spot"

 

[1337]

Can you please fill out your System Specs? http://www.sevenforums.com/usercp.php

If you don't know them then Speccy will tell you

By the way, you haven't "wasted" your money, before you would have had 2GB of Ram of which only 1.25GB was usable, so you have DEFINITELY done yourself a favour, although Windows 7 will run on 1GB of RAM, 2GB is better, and 3-4GB is the "sweet spot"

System spec is updated and I hope I didn't paste anything wrong.
I was running a 3 GB of RAM previously and I have upgraded by 1 GB of RAM. XD Well, it is true if you put it such a way. =D

 

[severedsolo]

Curious, according to your specs, your GPU is 256MB all the cards I can find of that type have 512MB of RAM.

Either way, that card has its own RAM and therefore can't be using the "Hardware Reserved" stuff.

I have never had 32 Bit Windows 7, so Im not sure exactly how much memory it can see. According to MS it should be able to use all 4GB (excluding hardware reserved) so I wonder whether it is actually Windows not being able to use all 4GB.

It might be worth installing 64 bit just to see whether or not that fixes the issue, but if it doesn't, thats a pretty costly excersise. Unless you happen to have a 64 bit disk lying around of course (if you bought the retail version for instance) that you could use to test it in a Dual boot.

 

[1337]

Curious, according to your specs, your GPU is 256MB all the cards I can find of that type have 512MB of RAM.

Either way, that card has its own RAM and therefore can't be using the "Hardware Reserved" stuff.

I have never had 32 Bit Windows 7, so Im not sure exactly how much memory it can see. According to MS it should be able to use all 4GB (excluding hardware reserved) so I wonder whether it is actually Windows not being able to use all 4GB.

It might be worth installing 64 bit just to see whether or not that fixes the issue, but if it doesn't, thats a pretty costly excersise. Unless you happen to have a 64 bit disk lying around of course (if you bought the retail version for instance) that you could use to test it in a Dual boot.

Thanks for checking that information up.
I have downloaded the Speccy to check and also went to NVIDIA's website to check.
256MB GeForce 8400 (Sapphire/PCPartner) <- According to Speccy.
So, I'm not entirely sure what happened there. This card came along with the PC when I bought off Acer.

I have one of those disc which I bought off school at a discounted price and I am trying out 64-bit, fresh install during the weekends since my current OS is acting all weird recently so, I'm going for it. I hope that will fix this issue.

Once again, much thanks for all the help so far!!! You have really been a great help! +1 Rep!

 

[1337]

Hello to all again, I have successfully installed a 64-bit OS and making it dual-boot with my old 32-bit OS.

I would like to ask, how can I change the name of the OS appeared when I am in my boot manager where I will be given 26 seconds to choose to boot into which OS. Bother appeared as: 'Windows 7' so, it is quite confusing for me to choose. Is there a way to change the name like into: 'Windows 7 32-bit' & Windows 7 64-bit' rather than just, 'Windows 7'.
I remembered XP day where I can change the name using msconfig but I can't seems to find it now.

Sorry for the trouble again!

 

[zzz2496]

It's still in the same place as XP, Control panel->System->Advanced system settings->Start up and Recovery.
Or you can use EasyBCD...

zzz2496

 

[IownAmoneyPit]

Hello to all again, I have successfully installed a 64-bit OS and making it dual-boot with my old 32-bit OS.

I would like to ask, how can I change the name of the OS appeared when I am in my boot manager where I will be given 26 seconds to choose to boot into which OS. Bother appeared as: 'Windows 7' so, it is quite confusing for me to choose. Is there a way to change the name like into: 'Windows 7 32-bit' & Windows 7 64-bit' rather than just, 'Windows 7'.
I remembered XP day where I can change the name using msconfig but I can't seems to find it now.

Sorry for the trouble again!

Dual Boot - Change OS Name in Windows Boot Manager