Solved Reinstalling 7 64 bit to a 32 bit

[Tom860]

Hiya, am new here and looks like a pretty good site. My question is if i make a reinstall disc from my Dell 5500 which is Windows 7 professional 64 bit can i use it to reinstall it to wifes Dell D830 Windows 7 professional 32 bit? She just got it (refurbished) and had only 2G ram so i upped it to 4G and found out 32 bit doesnt recogonize the added ram. Still only shows 2G..Thanks..Tom

 

[mrjimphelps]

It may work, since both computers are Dell. But if the computers aren't identical, then you will have to track down the proper drivers for the computer, in order to get everything working in Windows. That shouldn't be too difficult, if you go to the Dell website AND if the formerly 32-bit computer is in fact a 64-bit computer. You shouldn't install 64-bit Windows on a 32-bit computer, so make sure that her computer is in fact a 64-bit computer. It probably is, but I would make sure before I proceeded with the install.

If Dell has 64-bit drivers for the computer, you can easily get them from the Dell website. On the other hand, I'm thinking that you could probably use 32-bit drivers with 64-bit Windows. (But you can't use 64-bit drivers with 32-bit Windows.)

But there is another issue you will have to consider: if your wife has a 32-bit Windows license, it probably won't work with 64-bit Windows.

All of this is assuming that both you and your wife each have your own Windows license. You probably know this, but you won't be able to use the same Windows license for both installs.

 

[Tom860]

Thanks for the info. Upon further investigating i dont think this will work.

 

[Bat 1]

According to http://www.dell.com/downloads/ap/products/latit/LAT_D830_1007_RF.pdf the CPU should be a 64 bit Intel dual core. Seems the model either came with Vista or XP only. It should recognize the 4 GB of RAM if the correct RAM was installed. You would only have approx 3.25 GB usable though.

 

[SIW2]

Thanks for the info. Upon further investigating i dont think this will work.

Why not?

 

[Tom860]

Thank you for the responses,since i aint that computer savvy i will just play around with it and see what i come up with.
Thanks again
Tom
8^)

 

[Snick]

RAM issue could be two different types or brands.

Did you install the exact same RAM?

If you remove the one you had in the computer and boot, does it boot? If it does and runs fine then new ram is functioning.

Both in computer and ram not recognized, the RAM modules don't work together.

Perusing this may savvy you: What Are The Rules On Mixing Two Different Types Of RAM?

 

[Tom860]

Thanks. I bought the new ram and it came as a paired match, the Dell d830 i have only has 2 ram slots(pain to get to the one you have to take off the keyboard) What i had was 1G in each slot so i put in the new sticks (2G each) and computer would not boot up, (BIOS didnt even recognize it) so i switched them back and forth, unhooked CMOS and waited..nothing...so i put the old ram back in and everything booted up and ran as it should. This is a refurbished laptop i got off Amazon so i am waiting for the seller to get back to me and see what he has to say...Thanks again

 

[Snick]

Possibility either: 1 or both (not likely both) of RAM sticks are bad, or incompatible RAM choice (TYPE)

I've encountered defective new RAM on a few occasions.

If they are compatible match, you could try, 1 at a time, in 1st slot. If one works and one doesn't, well...obviously the one that doesn't is defective.

Try ram test from Boot: How to Run the Dell 32-bit Diagnostics Utility

Is the RAM identical type DDR2, etc., not 1GB 2GB, to what was installed?

How did you determine the type of RAM you purchased?

Referber may have switched MoBos on you.

You'll have to reinstall the working RAM to run Crucial Scan.

Extract & run attached Crucial Scan, it will scan your system and recommend compatible type of ram.

You don't necessarily have to purchase from Crucial, any vendor with compatible RAM will work.

 

[Snick]

Why don't you download a Windows 7 ISO, burn it to disk with ImgBurn or USB with Rufus and use that instead?

 

[Snick]

Here's a link to a thread regarding Installation of Windows 7 with i5 Kaby Lake CPU