OEM Windows 7 32bit to 64bit

[jmullaney]

Wow, you guys are a great help! Nice to get into work and find a whole host of messages on this post!!

bobkn - You're right, the driver page is working now and I have taken backups to my external HDD in preparation...

So it looks like I have three options here...

a) Go for a custom install over the top of my existing x86 OS, effectively the upgrade. This assumes that the Samsung x86 OEM code will work with x64.

b) Install the x64 OS on a seperate partition, unactivated. Remove the other partition and attempt to activate the x64 partition by standard methods.

c) Follow option b) but use mark39's license restoration utility he recommended to 'reactivate' the OS.

Seems that option a) holds less risk, any comment?

 

[gregrocker]

The only reason to dual boot is if you have doubts about whether the 64 bit will actually work, so that you can bail out of it with no impact to your existing OS.

Since you seem to have growing confidence that 64 bit will work satisfactorily, then you might as well do the Custom overwrite of your 32 bit partition. Be sure to back up all of your files and gather your program installers/disks.

You can also make a Win7 backup image stored externally in case you want to go back to 32 bit.

 

[jmullaney]

Disc arrived today so I'll let you guys know how it went tonight.

 

[jmullaney]

Installed without a hitch, went from 32 to 64 in under an hour! Thanks for all your guys help and suggestions and I hope this helps other people in the future!!

 

[Orpheous]

Installed without a hitch, went from 32 to 64 in under an hour! Thanks for all your guys help and suggestions and I hope this helps other people in the future!!

Great to hear that it all went well for you
Out of interest, did you re-use the OEM license key, or just enter the upgrade key?

 

[jmullaney]

The OEM key didn't work when I tried it, but I don't know if that is because it is a copy of Win 7 Professional and I was coming from Home Premium (the student site didn't sell any 64bit versions of Home Premium) or if that key is 32bit locked. So unfortunately on that note I guess we are still at a bit of a loss.

I guess I was lucky enough to have access to a cheap copy of an upgrade. My recommendation is make sure you know what copy you are getting before you buy, and if it doesn't then check!!! Failing that, make sure you are a student I guess!

 

[Orpheous]

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that you have to use like for like ie. your Home Premium key would have worked if you installed 64 bit Home Premium only. Can anyone else confirm this?

 

[gregrocker]

You have to use a key for your same version, whether it is 32 or 64 bit doesn't matter.

If you installed Pro, then you obviously need a Pro key.

If you'd like to change the Pro installation into Home Premium so that it accepts the HP key, use the workaround given here to do an in-place Upgrade: Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to any retail version Icrontic Tech