Upgrade from Windows 7 32bit RC1 to Windows 7 64bit

[sirdizzle]

Hi guys,

I have a few quick questions...

I have an HP Pavillion DV6500 laptop that came preinstalled with 32bit Vista.
Right now I am using Windows 7 Evaluation Copy Build 7100 32bit.

I'm wondering if there's any way to upgrade to 64bit windows 7 when the upgrade disc comes out in October or even now.

I don't mind having to reformat the hard drive.

Can I possibly reformat the hard drive now and install a fresh copy of windows 7 rc b4bit?

I tried talking to HP support about this, but they wouldn't give me a direct answer to any question.

They wouldn't even tell me if my laptop could support 64bit. (I did some research, and I think it can.)

Thanks in advance!

 

[l337]

You have to reformat your hard drive and then do a clean install of 64-bit of windows 7

 

[sirdizzle]

Can I do that with the upgrade disc that will ship in October?

or is it possible to do that with the rc (Build 7100) that was released some time ago?

 

[Avien]

Either way you must reinstall. Going to x64 requires clean install. Upgrade Disk you should clean install anyways.

 

[sirdizzle]

I understand that it will take a clean install, but don't I need to have at least XP installed to upgrade to Windows 7 (using the upgrade disc that will ship in october)? Since I have been on 32bit, wouldn't it just upgrade to 32bit windows7? Or can i choose to upgrade to 64bit, and itll just do a clean install from there.


Would my processor/motherboard etc even handle 64bit?

Sorry for asking so many stupid questions. I just want to make sure I know what I'm doing before I get myself into anything.

 

[Avien]

You need to have the CD/DVD handy. When you do a clean install, it will ask for you to put in the required information, and i believe one of it is putting the cd/Dvd in to show you actually have a legit version.

Check the forums for threads related to seeing if you can run 64bit and what programs you can use to help you find out.

 

[sirdizzle]

hmmm... my laptop didn't come with a CD... the hard drive was originally partitioned with recovery data on one partition. I also made "optional" recovery discs, just to be safe, so i'm pretty sure that the actual process is not going to be a problem.

The only thing i'm worried about is given my situation, if I would be able to do a clean install to a 64bit version using the upgrade disc that will come out in a few months.

Seems like you're saying that its definitely doable.

Thanks!

 

[7echno7im]

Follow my guide on installing Windows 7 from a USB drive.

Install Windows 7 Using a USB Drive

 

[l337]

hmmm... my laptop didn't come with a CD... the hard drive was originally partitioned with recovery data on one partition. I also made "optional" recovery discs, just to be safe, so i'm pretty sure that the actual process is not going to be a problem.

The only thing i'm worried about is given my situation, if I would be able to do a clean install to a 64bit version using the upgrade disc that will come out in a few months.

Seems like you're saying that its definitely doable.

Thanks!

you can use the upgrade disc, you just need to do a clean install with the disc, and upgrade that install with another one. Basically you are installing twice.
Clean Install From Upgrade Vista - Vista Forums

 

[pparks1]

I'm not sure that you are going to be able to do this with the "upgrade" disc. i believe when you change from 32-bit to 64-bit...you have to buy the full version.

In the past, you could insert your previous OS disk to prove ownership. My understanding is that Win7 upgrade will actually need to see an installed and (here is the key) activated copy of Windows running in order to perform an upgrade. So, unless you have 64-bit installed and activated...I don't think you will be able to upgrade your 32-bit to 64-bit.

 

[Babel17]

I have a Dell XPS. It came with Vista, 32-bit.

As a test I grabbed a x64 version of Vista SP2 (from MSDN) off of Usenet and did a clean install with it. If I'd pleaded I think Dell would have sent me one. For the cost of shipping MS would have sent me one.

I entered the serial that came with my Dell.

Windows made me go through a phone activation (you alternate entering info on the phone and your PC) but it did eventually recognize my system as legitimate.

YMMV.

 

[sirdizzle]

I'm not sure that you are going to be able to do this with the "upgrade" disc. i believe when you change from 32-bit to 64-bit...you have to buy the full version.

In the past, you could insert your previous OS disk to prove ownership. My understanding is that Win7 upgrade will actually need to see an installed and (here is the key) activated copy of Windows running in order to perform an upgrade. So, unless you have 64-bit installed and activated...I don't think you will be able to upgrade your 32-bit to 64-bit.

Thats what I was thinking, but everyone seemed to say that it would work no problem. The only loophole that I could come up with is to format the drive, install a 64bit RC of windows 7 (technically I have the serial key for it, it is activated, and I do get updates for it) and then "upgrade" to the final release version when that comes out in October.

is there a flaw in my logic, here?

 

[7echno7im]

Thats what I was thinking, but everyone seemed to say that it would work no problem. The only loophole that I could come up with is to format the drive, install a 64bit RC of windows 7 (technically I have the serial key for it, it is activated, and I do get updates for it) and then "upgrade" to the final release version when that comes out in October.

is there a flaw in my logic, here?

Well legally yes, because you don't own the previous OS to upgrade to if you are going to hack the RC to upgrade to a full release with an upgrade disk. I am sure if you try to upgrade, it will see the previous version of Windows 7 and stop the upgrade process.

 

[sirdizzle]

I own a copy of vista 32 bit, which came preinstalled on my laptop.

And technically speaking, I do own windows 7 RC... just because it was free doesn't mean it doesn't belong to me, right?

 

[7echno7im]

No one owns windows but Microsoft, you own a license to use it. Windows 7 RC, you get a license that expires in August 2010.

 

[7echno7im]

it seems your only upgrade path is going to be your OEM Copy of Windows Vista 32-bit that came preinstalled on your laptop to the Windows 7 32-bit upgrade. (but you must suuply the prior disk or have the OS installed on a partition)

If you want to go to 64-bit, you will have to buy a copy of the 64-bit Windows 7 that is not an upgrade (either retail or OEM)

Which one is right for you?

 

[l337]

Thats what I was thinking, but everyone seemed to say that it would work no problem. The only loophole that I could come up with is to format the drive, install a 64bit RC of windows 7 (technically I have the serial key for it, it is activated, and I do get updates for it) and then "upgrade" to the final release version when that comes out in October.

is there a flaw in my logic, here?

just do this method but with windows 7
Clean Install From Upgrade Vista - Vista Forums

 

[sirdizzle]

Alright, thanks!

 

[7echno7im]

Alright, thanks!

Sorry I hope I was clear and helped.

 

[sirdizzle]

It makes sense....so far.

Do you suggest I upgrade to 64bit using the rc or do you suggest i wait till the final upgrade disc comes out in a few months?