New PC and moving from W7 32bit to 64bit

[YouAndI]

Hello,

I am soon to be building a new computer. At the moment I'm using a pre-built Dell, the specs of which you can view in my profile.

My Dell came with Vista, but the system has been upgraded to Windows 7 32bit using an upgrade disc.

My new system will be much more powerful, so I'm looking to be using Windows 7 64bit. If my understanding is correct, you can't upgrade to 64bit -- it has to be a clean install.

Will I have to install Windows Vista first (of which I have on a disc from Dell) and then use the W7 upgrade disc? Or can I just use the W7 disc off the bat?

I'm wondering if my copy of Windows Vista is tied to the motherboard (which is being replaced), in which case I might run into some problems if just solely using the W7 upgrade isn't possible?

If clean install of W7 64bit is possible, how do I go about doing a clean install?

And what data will I lose in doing a clean OS install? System customisations, user accounts and things like that?

Thanks in advance for all the help.

 

[gregrocker]

Look over these steps for a perfect Clean Reinstall Windows 7 and ask back any questions you have.

When you boot the Win7 64 bit installer if it doesn't see another OS on the drive it may reject Upgrade key, so install without the key and then afterward do the quick Option 3 registry workaround in Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version provided as a courtesy by MS so consumers don't need to reinstall the qualifying OS too.

 

[YouAndI]

Look over these steps for a perfect Clean Reinstall Windows 7 and ask back any questions you have.

When you boot the Win7 64 bit installer if it doesn't see another OS on the drive it may reject Upgrade key, so install without the key and then afterward do the quick Option 3 registry workaround in Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version provided as a courtesy by MS so consumers don't need to reinstall the qualifying OS too.

Thanks for the response and those links. They look super helpful.

It was my understanding that a factory reset is different from a clean OS install. Is it possible to do a clean install of the OS, but still retain all system data, installed programs, etc?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

A factory reset is different from a clean install.

You have to do a clean install if you want to move from 32 bit to 64 bit.

You will have to reinstall all programs.

So back up anything important--personal data files, bookmarks, email, etc.

 

[YouAndI]

A factory reset is different from a clean install.

You have to do a clean install if you want to move from 32 bit to 64 bit.

You will have to reinstall all programs.

So back up anything important--personal data files, bookmarks, email, etc.

Thanks for that confirmation.

To be clear, backing up personal data, bookmarks, email etc is just a precaution. If the transition is successful, that data should remain after the OS install?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

To be clear, backing up personal data, bookmarks, email etc is just a precaution. If the transition is successful, that data should remain after the OS install?

Totally wrong. NO!!!

If you do a clean install, each and EVERY thing on the hard drive will be gone, lost , goodbye, PERMANENTLY.

If you don't care about anything on the drive, then don't back it up. Up to you.

The general procedure would be:

Before you begin, go to your motherboard or PC manufacturer's web site and download the "NIC" driver aka "Ethernet" driver for your specific model. Put it on a USB thumb drive or a CD. This is normally supplied by Windows, but do this as a precaution in case Windows does not supply it.

Then disconnect all other hard drives and everything external except monitor, mouse, and keyboard.

Then boot from your installation disc and proceed to the point where you are asked "where do you want to install Windows?".

At that point, delete ALL partitions so the drive appears as 100 percent "unallocated space".

Then continue. Windows will delete all partitions and create the new necessary partitions and format them. You will go through several reboots.

Then reinstall your anti-virus and anti-malware applications.

Then go to Windows Update and get all critical and important updates, probably in several stages (batches) rather than all at once.

When that's finished, copy your data back to desired location from your backup and continue installing your applications and configuring the machine as you wish.

 

[gregrocker]

That's why I linked for you the tutorial to Clean Reinstall Windows 7, to answer those questions. Perhaps you should actually read it?

Over 1.4 million consumers have followed that tutorial and have the best install of Win7 possible. Not a single one has returned here with problems who stick with the tools and methods given. But you have to read it first.

 

[YouAndI]

That's why I linked for you the tutorial to Clean Reinstall Windows 7, to answer those questions. Perhaps you should actually read it?

Over 1.4 million consumers have followed that tutorial and have the best install of Win7 possible. Not a single one has returned here with problems who stick with the tools and methods given. But you have to read it first.

I input my W7 upgrade key here: Microsoft Software Recovery

But get the following message:

Error
We encountered a problem with the validation request. Please assure your product key is for a product supported by this site and was entered correctly, then try your request again.




​

Which alternative method from your guide do you think will be best for me?

Thanks.

 

[gregrocker]

Unfortunately I've not found anyone that can get that site to work yet, even though it supposedly was the official replacement for the Digital River downloads we relied upon so much here.

So try one of the other options. Did your Dell come with the Upgrade Kit from Vista or did you buy a retail copy of Win7 UPgrade? What is the licensed version? I may loan you mine if you can't find one.

 

[YouAndI]

Unfortunately I've not found anyone that can get that site to work yet, even though it supposedly was the official replacement for the Digital River downloads we relied upon so much here.

So try one of the other options. Did your Dell come with the Upgrade Kit from Vista or did you buy a retail copy of Win7 UPgrade? What is the licensed version? I may loan you mine if you can't find one.

I have a copy of Windows Vista which came with my Dell machine and is on a Dell disc.

I also have a 'family pack' of Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade. I bought this separately.

I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean by "what is the licensed version". Please could you clarify?

Thanks for your help!

 

[gregrocker]

Win7 Home Premium is the licensed version which you Upgraded using one of three keys included in Family Pack, correct? Because they are retail you can move those keys as long as you only have three HP installs at any one time using those keys.

Do you not have the disk included in the Family Pack any longer? There should be both 32- and 64-bit disks in the box. If not I'll loan you my 64 bit ISO file to burn to DVD or write to flash stick to do the reinstall if you'll read it and follow the steps to get and keep a perfect install. It will activate with the Family Pack key. If that key has been used on more than 3 PC"sit may require Phone Activation option during which when asked the key question "How many computers is this copy of Win7 installed upon" you are sure to answer the correct "3".

 

[YouAndI]

Win7 Home Premium is the licensed version which you Upgraded using one of three keys included in Family Pack, correct? Because they are retail you can move those keys as long as you only have three HP installs at any one time using those keys.

Do you not have the disk included in the Family Pack any longer? There should be both 32- and 64-bit disks in the box. If not I'll loan you my 64 bit ISO file to burn to DVD or write to flash stick to do the reinstall if you'll read it and follow the steps to get and keep a perfect install. It will activate with the Family Pack key. If that key has been used on more than 3 PC"sit may require Phone Activation option during which when asked the key question "How many computers is this copy of Win7 installed upon" you are sure to answer the correct "3".

Thanks for that info and the kind offer. I do have the disc, but I thought that because it's an Upgrade disc that I won't be able to do an install using that disc only? I thought I have to go from Vista to Windows 7.

But if I can just use the W7 upgrade disc clean then that's great!

 

[gregrocker]

Yes if the booted disk sees any OS it will allow use of Upgrade version key otherwise leave key blank during install and afterwards do Option 3 of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[YouAndI]

Yes if the booted disk sees any OS it will allow use of Upgrade version key otherwise leave key blank during install and afterwards do Option 3 of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

Thank you so much! I was able to install W7 cleanly from the upgrade disc. Thanks for all your help.

Though I'm now having wireless network driver issues. Is this something you're knowledgeable about? I posted about it here: http://www.sevenforums.com/drivers/...desktop-network-card-f5d7000.html#post3061399

Thanks again!

 

[AddRAM]

What`s the issue ?

Does the wireless adapter show up in Device Manager ?

Have you installed the drivers for it ?