Windows 7 32 to 64 bit

[legirons]

Hello All, I am new to this forum so please excuse any goofs in posting my question. I have a Dell Studio 1735 that had a Vista 32 bit OS. I recently installed the Windows 7 upgrade. Since installing the OS I discovered my laptop is 64 bit compatible and I want to do the “clean” install to the 64 bit. I purchased the software from Microsoft and it has the disc for 64 bit. When I try to run the disc it gives me the message; “This installation disc isn’t compatible with your version of Windows. To upgrade, you need the correct installation disc. For more information, check your computer’s system information. To install a new copy of Windows, restart (boot) your computer using the installation disc, then select Custom (advanced).”
Thanks for any help with my problem.

 

[Frostmourne]

You can't upgrade from x86 to x64. You'll need to reboot, choose custom (advanced) delete all your partitions and allow 7 to create new partitions.

 

[richc46]

If you have a Dell, you may discover an area, in the future, that you may question. You will notice that you have a D:/ drive. On Dell computers the factory installs this D drive, it contains information that will allow you to bring your computer back to the state that it was when you first made the purchase. This drive can be deleted if you still have the discs that came with the comuter. The discs contain the same information as the D drive. It would only really be needed if you want to service your comuter under the terms of the warranty.

 

[kronwhon]

You can't upgrade from x86 to x64. You'll need to reboot, choose custom (advanced) delete all your partitions and allow 7 to create new partitions.

This is what you need to do. However, if it is an upgrade disc, you will be required to call MS tech support to solve the activation problem.

Call 1-800-936-4900, and tell them you have an invalid product key error message. They will help. There are also posts on here as to how to perform a successful clean install with an upgrade disc, but I work for MS, and don't necessarily condone those methods.

 

[legirons]

My problem is that I can't get past the message I am receiving when the disc spins up. It thinks I need to use the 32 bit disc. Should I use the F12 key and force it to boot up on the disc? I don't think there is an issue with the product key.

 

[kronwhon]

What is the exact error message?

 

[zigzag3143]

My problem is that I can't get past the message I am receiving when the disc spins up. It thinks I need to use the 32 bit disc. Should I use the F12 key and force it to boot up on the disc? I don't think there is an issue with the product key.

Hi and welcome

You dont need to use the 32 bit. you need to go into bios and make sure the dvd is checked so it can be booted from. then put the dvd in and boot to it. you will be installing from the 64bit dvd and should not ask you about the version.

Ley us know if it doesnt

I have the same dell

Kenn J+

 

[gregrocker]

You have to BOOT from the Windows 7 DVD, not run it from Vista.

Once booted, choose Custom install and as stated Delete all, Create New as you wish, then Format and install.

If you have the Recov disks that came with the computer, you can delete any Recovery partition that is there, but I would make recov disks first if you don't have them.

This is likely not an activation issue. Bypass the request for your key and upon connection to the internet, activate at Computer>Properties link. You may have to make a robo call to exchange numbers but it is unlikely since it will read the same hardware matching the key. It is blocking key now because it thinks you are trying to install a second copy on same computer.

 

[Frostmourne]

You have to BOOT from the Windows 7 DVD, not run it from Vista.

Once booted, choose Custom install and as stated Delete all, Create New as you wish, then Format and install.

If you have the Recov disks that came with the computer, you can delete any Recovery partition that is there, but I would make recov disks first if you don't have them.

Alternatively, use Macrium Reflect Free to make an image and boot disc.

www.[B]macrium[/B].com/reflectfree.asp

 

[legirons]

zigzag3143, sounds like good advice, however since it is close to football game time, think I will wait until tomorrow.

 

[legirons]

Well, I am not having much luck. I used the F12 key to try and boot on the dvd-cd drive and it wouldn’t. I tried it by inserting the disc when I selected the “boot on dvd-cd drive” also tried it with the disc already in the drive. Guess I am doing something wrong. I opened the files on the disc and one is a text file called autorun. It has the following; [AutoRun.Amd64] open=setup.exe icon=setup.exe,0 [AutoRun] open=sources\sperr32.exe x64 icon=\sperr32.exe,0. I tried changing the reference to 32 and it wouldn’t let me save it in the autorun file. This is the message I am getting.
http://www.sevenforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=39683&stc=1&d=1259682756

 

[kronwhon]

I had this problem once where I was trying to boot from the DVD and no matter what I did in the BIOS, it would still boot from hard drive. I fixed it by disconnecting the hard drive physically, booting from DVD, and reconnecting hard drive while in the setup process. setup still detected the hard drive no problem.

The best way for you to get this to work is by booting from DVD, not by trying to "trick" the system into thinking its a 32bit app.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you enter the BIOS setup page (using the esc, f1 or f2 keys - it should say on first screen) to set the Boot order for DVD drive first, HD second?

If so, it should prompt you to hit any key. Try that rather than the Boot Menu F-key.

You may need a BIOS update. Check System Information to see BIOS version. There is a version A05 for that model here: http://support.dell.com/support/dow...ystemID=STUDIO1735&os=WLH&osl=en&catid=&impid=

Do you have a 4 gb flash stick? If so, plug it in to Disk Management, format primary and copy the DVD's folders into the root exactly as they appear on DVD, seven folders in root of flash stick? Then restart and try to boot using your F12 Boot Menu shortcut key - flash will normally be selected amongs the Hard Drives.

 

[legirons]

It is done!!! By using the F2 key and opening up BIOS I was able to change the boot sequence to boot up on the CD/DVD drive. The rest was pretty easy and I did not run into any glitches. Now the time consuming part is re-installing everything that got hosed by doing a “clean” install. Thanks to everyone for the help. My next project is to add memory.