Solved Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit installing 32-bit on my Dell Lattitude E4300

[RPSuede]

I just bought a used Dell Latitude E4300 which contains an Intel Core 2 Duo P9400 2.4GHz 64-bit processor and every time I install my copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, it installs the 32-bit version.

I have been searching for the last 24 hours online for any issues with Windows 7 64-bit and the Latitude E4300 but cannot find anything helpful for my situation; in fact I have found a couple of sites where people have installed the 64-bit version of Win 7 on thier Latitude and they are having other issues.

I have 8GB of memory in the laptop I would like to be able to utilize, but the system type says it is a 32-bit operating system.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The Intel Processor Identifier utility says it is indeed a 64-bit processor so I am unsure why Windows 7 keeps installing the 32-bit version:

Intel(R) Processor Identification Utility
Version: 4.41.20111201
Time Stamp: 2012/03/03 06:10:29
Operating System: 6.1-7600-
Number of processors in system: 1
Current processor: #1
Active cores per processor: 2
Disabled cores per processor: 0
Processor Name: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P9400 @ 2.40GHz
Type: 0
Family: 6
Model: 17
Stepping: 6
Revision: 610
Maximum CPUID Level: A
L1 Instruction Cache: 2 x 32 KB
L1 Data Cache: 2 x 32 KB
L2 Cache: 6 MB
Packaging: µFCPGA/µFCBGA
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(R) Technology: Yes
MMX(TM): Yes
Intel(R) SSE: Yes
Intel(R) SSE2: Yes
Intel(R) SSE3: Yes
Intel(R) SSE4: Yes
Intel(R) AES-NI: No
Intel(R) AVX: No
Enhanced Halt State: No
Execute Disable Bit: Yes
Intel(R) Hyper-Threading Technology: No
Intel(R) 64 Architecture: Yes
Intel(R) Virtualization Technology: Yes
Expected Processor Frequency: 2.40 GHz
Reported Processor Frequency: 0.61 GHz
Expected System Bus Frequency: 1066 MHz
Reported System Bus Frequency: 412 MHz

 

[cluberti]

That laptop has an Intel Core2Duo SP9400 in it, which is indeed a 64bit CPU. Assuming it's not somehow disabled in the BIOS (and I can't imagine how that could be, especially on a Dell), it would seem you have 32bit installation media. Given that machine released sometime in 2007 or 2008 (Vista-era) and shipped with XP as it's installation default option, it just sounds like somehow you have non-Dell installation media, and it's a 32bit install.

 

[RPSuede]

Thanks for the reply Culberti.

I have a Dell Operating System Reinstallation DVD which is labeled Windows (R) 7 Ultimate 64-Bit. Is there a way to tell whether it truly is what it says it is? Is there an MD5 hash for the 64-bit versus the 32-bit I can check against a file or files on the DVD? I am at a loss. I thought I had all my ducks in a row when I purchased the laptop and dvd. The laptop came with Vista Business 32-bit installed but I wanted 64-bit Win 7 to take advantage of the extra ram so I bought it separately.

 

[gregrocker]

Here is the latest official Win7 install ISO with SP1:
http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59465.iso Windows 7 Ultimate x64 English

Burn to DVD or write to flash stick using:
Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool

Follow these steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall Windows 7 Factory OEM

 

[RPSuede]

Thanks gregrocker I will give that a try and let you all know how it goes.

 

[AddRAM]

Have you ever installed YOUR COPY on anything else ? That`s really the only way to know for sure. Just download and burn the Iso as Greg says.

You do know your gonna need a key. The key on your laptop will be for Vista, that is if you can even read it.

 

[AddRAM]

He has a Dell Operating System Reinstallation DVD.

 

[gregrocker]

Did Dell sell you a Win7 Reinstallation disk for a Vista computer?

Is this an Upgrade version copy of Win7?

Is there a Product Key with it?

 

[cluberti]

The thing is, Dell "reinstallation" DVDs are just Microsoft DVDs in most cases - they don't even have token activation or drivers inside. If someone is getting a 32bit install from a Dell reinstall DVD, then it's probably just mislabeled (unless it's a dual-layer DVD, it's only going to contain one Windows 7 architecture - given it's specifically labeled 64bit, it likely only has one).

@RPSuede, can you post a screenshot showing Windows Explorer with your C:\ drive open? I am specifically interested in the folders that exist on your C:\ drive after installing with that Dell DVD. Otherwise, do what gregrocker suggests and download the official 64bit ISO, make sure your checksums match the ISO you downloaded, and install from that.

 

[jumanji]

.....The thing is, Dell "reinstallation" DVDs are just Microsoft DVDs in most cases - they don't even have token activation or drivers inside... .

I beg to differ.

Just about a month or two back DELL India sent me the OEM Reinstall Disk (not the Recovery Disk) -Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit - for my DELL Inspiron 1120 (M 101Z) netbook.

With a clean install it auto-activated confirming that it has the token activation built-in.( I have checked the OEM-SLP key too after the clean install. Tallies with what I had backed up earlier.) It was also heavy at 5.74 GB. The reason as I found out was it is a multilanguage pack.

 

[RPSuede]

@Greg - I burned the iso and installed it on my Latitude and it is now showing a 64-bit operating system on the system page with all 8GB or ram. The DVD I bought says it is a "Reinstallation DVD Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit" The product key that came with the DVD worked fine with the iso DVD I burned. Thanks for your help. @Culberti - After getting Greg's advice I went with it so I can't give you a screenshot of the C: drive with the Dell Branded DVD. I can give you a screenshot of the DVD folder/file structure if you want. I can also give you a scanned image of the top of the DVD itself if you would like.

 

[cluberti]

No, not necessary - good to hear you have working media!

 

[gregrocker]

Does the Product ID string at Computer>Properties have "OEM" in the middle of it? This means the Reinstallation DVD which Dell sold you is OEM version now tied to that mobo. Hopefully you got a price break for that.

If not it must either be full version or Upgrade which could migrate to another machine in the future - it doesn't say either on the DVD?

The best way to handle reinstalls going forward is to save a Win7 backup image when it is set up and running best, then use that to reimage the HD in 20 minutes: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

 

[jumanji]

......The best way to handle reinstalls going forward is to save a Win7 backup image when it is set up and running best, then use that to reimage the HD in 20 minutes: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup.....

+1 for that.

Now that Macrium Reflect Free also facilitates creation of WinPE Recovery Disk (with a little bit of effort), I do not see any reason why anyone should skip or overlook backing up the system drive initially and subsequently.

 

[AddRAM]

@Greg - I burned the iso and installed it on my Latitude and it is now showing a 64-bit operating system on the system page with all 8GB or ram. The DVD I bought says it is a "Reinstallation DVD Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit" The product key that came with the DVD worked fine with the iso DVD I burned. Thanks for your help. @Culberti - After getting Greg's advice I went with it so I can't give you a screenshot of the C: drive with the Dell Branded DVD. I can give you a screenshot of the DVD folder/file structure if you want. I can also give you a scanned image of the top of the DVD itself if you would like.

Now don`t loose that dvd. You can use it to do startup repairs and god forbid, future installs. Put it in a plastic sleeve, inside your computer. And make a copy.