Upgrading Vista 32 Bit To Windows 7 64 Bit

[MiniMatt]

Hey guys i wanted to upgrade to Windows 7 because 64 bit allows you to make use of more RAM. But i need some help and i want to know if it is possible to upgrade from 32 bit to 64.

Processor : Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q8200

Ram : 4.00 GB

System Type : 32bit Operating System.

I have Vista

Thanks guys.

[bludgard]

Hi MiniMatt,

Welcome to Windows Forum.

I would start with the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. I was going to upgrade my XP and install Windows 7. (Still might if I can get a discount on a decent monitor). It will let you know what version you can install.

Keep us updated, eh? People going to sleep around here….

[MiniMatt]

Well In the 32-bit Windows 7 it says that i can upgrade to Home Premium. In the 64-bit it says that i need to preform a "Custom Install" and that was mostly my question.

Here is the stuff that it said.

! Custom installation Requiad

(Works) Windows Aero Support

(Works) CPU speed: 2.3 GHz

(Works) 3.0 GB of Ram - It says that my computer has 4.

(Works) 251.3 GB free space avaiable on C:

Well if thats all. I guess it works

I have one more question. Can some one link me to some sort of tutorial on how to set it up? or tell me in your own words.

[-pops-]

Think carefully before doing an upgrade to 64 bit.

Are you finding you have a lack of RAM or do you just want to put more in?

I have 32 bit and 64 bit machines and, quite honestly, there is little to choose between them. The 32 bit has 4GB RAM and only about half of that is ever used. Admittedly, I don't play memory intensive games but I do a lot of video editing. The 64 bit machines (3) have 6GB and 8GB RAM. There is a difference in performance but whether that justifies the cost of upgrading, I'm very doubtful.

[Digerati]

If you want to upgrade "in-place" that is, run some program that "converts" Windows, all your programs, and very importantly, all your hardware drivers, I am not aware of any thing like that - and frankly, not sure I would trust it anyway. It is typically better to start over, with a clean install. But, you do have to do your homework first and make sure all your hardware has the necessary 64-bit drivers, and you need to backup all the data you don't want to lose.

I personally would not convert an existing 32-bit machine to 64-bit but I see no reason to build a new machine with 32-bit. 64-bit is here to stay.

My "guess" is you are using integrated graphics. I might suggest you upgrade to a decent graphics card. It will surely have a better GPU than the on-board, it will have its own RAM dedicated for graphics. And because it has its own RAM, it will free up any system RAM previously snagged. So if you are using integrated, a card will likely provide a very noticeable performance boost.

The downside to adding a card is power. A graphics card can easily be the single most power hungry device in the computer. So a new card may require a new power supply.

[MiniMatt]

I don't want to do anything complicated. The thing i want to do is to switch from 32bit to 64 because i have some ram that is not being use. The only thing i would need to buy is the Windows 7 Upgrade which goes for around 129$ right?

[Digerati]

I don't want to do anything complicated. The thing i want to do is to switch from 32bit to 64

There's the problem. There is no direct path to "upgrade" or more correctly, "convert" from 32-bit to 64-bit. It must be done via a complete fresh install, in which everything, including old 32-bit drivers and all your data on the disk is overwritten. So it IS a complicated task - even if sticking with the same OS.

So, right now if you want to, and attempt to "upgrade" to Windows 7 and "convert" to 64-bit at the same time, you will be forced by the 64-bit Windows 7 installation disk to do a complete install.

If you just want to upgrade to Windows 7 and stick with 32-bit, the 32-bit Windows 7 upgrade installation will attempt to keep all your current Vista settings, desktop, and data files in tact. However, you still should back up all your data, just as a precaution.

It looks like Newegg has an $114 upgrade. Note the upgrade license will automatically be tied to your original Vista license. If the original Vista license is an OEM license, it is tied to that PC and the Win7 upgrade stays with that PC, even if retired or trashed. Only full retail licenses are transferable, a major reason they cost more. I only mention this if you feel this PC may be replaced soon, a full retail license may be worth considering.