reinstall hp laptop to 32bit vers of windows

[zedeck]

Model: G6-1B79dx

has the core i3-370m
more specs found at bestbuy.com with the sku: 2686552 into the search field, or from a general internet search

its pretty new to best buy, but I was wondering if its possible to create a system image/iso or something to reinstall the OS to the 32 bit version.

The OEMs nowadays seem to want to leave the recovery options on a partitioned part of the main drive and want you to create 'recovery disks' for OS backup protection.
I have proprietary software that can only run on the 32bit vers on windows 7 (the machine comes with home premium 64 bit).
I understand the total memory usage limitations. But I am not concerned with that and the machines only purpose is to run this software.

Called HP they said the 64 designation was 'locked' into the 'motherboard chip' as they called it, and it can be turned back to 32bit. The guy didn't know and found this answer from his supervisor. Sounds like a load of b.s. to get me off the phone with giving a solidly researched response. Idk to me it just sounds innaccurate from my understanding.

I've reinstalled OS's before on many laptops but they were with my own copies of windows that I had the installation disks for.

If its not possible to create a system image/iso from the backup files or the OS itself would it work if i use an installation disk (of the exact same version and same service pack=none)that I already own to re-install the windoes 7 home premium select the 32 bit option, and use the serial from the new laptop to activate it.


thanks -james-

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello zedeck, welcome to Seven Forums!


Here's some interesting info you may find useful, and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media; if you can find an exact Windows version that the PC shipped with you can do a clean install using the activation key on the COA sticker attached to the PC though it may require a robo-call to MS to sort the OEM batch-key.

How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone


If you can't find an exact same version, you could use the info in this tutorial to create an "all versions" installer of any version Windows installer, to install using the same method I posted above.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create


After you have made backups of everything you care to save, the best method is to do a complete wipe (secure erase) of the entire Hard Disk Drive first, it over-writes everything, all the old Windows code including all the old drivers/programs, giving you the best possible space to install Windows to.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

 

[gregrocker]

Yes it should work using a retail 32 bit installer for the same version with the Product Key on the COA. The Win7 EULA clearly says you can use either 32- or 64-bit and no manufacturer can override this.

However if there is an OA at the end of the version listing on COA it may only reactivate with the Recovery Disks unless you use MS phone activation.

Follow these steps to get a perfect reinstall of factory OEM: Reinstalling Windows 7

Make your Recovery Disks first and keep your Recovery partition for now so you have a path back if they have somehow restricted it to 64 bit.

 

[zedeck]

Yes it should work using a retail 32 bit installer for the same version with the Product Key on the COA. The Win7 EULA clearly says you can use either 32- or 64-bit and no manufacturer can override this.

However if there is an OA at the end of the version listing on COA it may only reactivate with the Recovery Disks unless you use MS phone activation.

Follow these steps to get a perfect reinstall of factory OEM: Reinstalling Windows 7

Make your Recovery Disks first and keep your Recovery partition for now so you have a path back if they have somehow restricted it to 64 bit.

1. "Yes it should work using a retail 32 bit installer for the same version with the Product Key on the COA"
My Question: retail 32 bit installer? would the original installation disk I bought of the exact same version cover this requirement on the laptop? or is '32 bit installer' something else special I need?
to clarify; will it give me the option to select 32 or 64 bit during installation?

2. "However if there is an OA at the end of the version listing on COA it may only reactivate with the Recovery Disks unless you use MS phone activation. "
My Question: What does the acronym 'OA' stand for, and COA is that certificate of authenticity?

thanks for the responses guys awesome -james-

 

[gregrocker]

Did the Win7 you bought contain both disks, or which bit-version is it? You want 32 bit disk for the same version, or you need to unlock all versions in any retail 32 bit version.

OA stands for Offline Activation. It is fairly new so I was researching it last night which is how I learned that information. If it doesn't say Windows 7 Home Premium OA than you don't have to worry about it.

 

[ranendra]

i had windows 7 home premium OA on my laptop. The machine did not come with installation CDs. After my laptop crashed one day, I had to get it repaired; and the person installed windows 7 ultimate on my machine. since then i have been getting messages online that my windows is not genuine. I want to know if there is a way to re-install windows 7 home premium OA on my machine. I have the product key on the label of my machine. In fact my machine also has a partition called 'Recovery' of 12.5 GB size, but i can't see any recovery files in it ( actually i can't see a single file in it although it shows that 10.5GB space has been used up and only 2 GB is free). Is there a way to get back to my original configuration?

 

[gregrocker]

Everything needed to get a perfect install is in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164.

Be sure during the booted Custom http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html to use the Drive Options in Steps 7 and 8 to delete all partitions and create new as you wish.

As it says in the Special Note to HP Owners at the end of the Clean Reinstall OEM tutorial, on later models there is a Minimal Reinstall option for HP System Recovery . You can try that first to see how it works, which should also overwrite the bootleg install which was illegally installed on your machine.