will 64 bit on prvious 32 bit be problems?

[mikeS]

I'm preparing to buy an upgrade version of Win7. I currently have vista business 32 bit on a Sony laptop that Win Upgrade Advisor indicates either 32 or 64 bit will work. My only in place upgrade option is Win7 Professional 32 bit. I think that Win7 Home Premium (upgrade) wth a clean install will be just fine.

Question. Is installing the Win7 Home Premium 64 bit version on what was a 32 bit Vista machine asking for too many problems? I have a second laptop that came with Win7 Home Premium 64 bit and I generally prefer keeping both systems mirror images of each other. Pros and cons and any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[richc46]

Welcome to the forum, Mike

You will be ok with a clean install.

If you want 64 bit you will be fine with a clean install. Just as long as your computer has the capability.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html?filter[2]=General Tips

I checked your computer specs. You will not get much improvement with just 2gb of ram, but it is sufficient to run 64 Bit. 4GB, would be much better. You can always buy more ram later on.

 

[mikeS]

Thanks.

Appreciate the quick answer. I was mostly concerned that driver issues would be a hassle not worth fooling with. Sony indicated that drivers wouldn't be much of an issue but their site never addressed 32 versus 64 bit. Thanks again.

 

[richc46]

I had 32 Vista and went to 64 Windows 7. Did a clean install. Had no problem whatsoever. It is much easier, today, that it was when Vista first came out. Just install while connected to the net, most of your drivers will be downloaded (all of mine were).

 

[Zidane24]

Will you list the model number of your Sony?

A forewarning...Sony has a nasty habit of not supporting any OS (including future upgrades) that isn't standard on the machine...ex Installing Windows 7 over a factory default Windows Vista. You really see their insistence by viewing their driver downloads...most of the time only one OS is supported

 

[mikeS]

Thanks for the warning Zindane24. The more I read about Sony laptop upgrades the less I liked what I found. Have to give it a bit more thought.

 

[FZ21Z]

Some links on this page may give you a bit more confidence...

- ~Sony SZ Owners Lounge~

 

[valtonray]

viewing your system specs, now may be a good time to upgrade to at least 4 gb ram it will make your 64 bit experience much more pleasant and isn't going to cost much.

 

[mikeS]

The additional memory won't be a problem. After reading about the hoops man sony laptop owners have jumped through I'm thinking that sticking with 32 bit upgrade might be worth the reduced aggravation. Any reason if 32 bit upgrade path is taken that exporting all the drivers before the upgrade then importing all the old vista drivers wouldn't work?