upgrade from 32bit too 64bit

It would be nice if Microsoft would make this clear. I've been googling this for weeks, and keep getting conflicting info. I don't have a problem with doing a clean install (as I always do that anyways, upgrades are always a problem anyways), but I can't afford the hundreds that it will cost for the full x64 version.

Originally Posted by BigFeet

It would be nice if Microsoft would make this clear. I've been googling this for weeks, and keep getting conflicting info. I don't have a problem with doing a clean install (as I always do that anyways, upgrades are always a problem anyways), but I can't afford the hundreds that it will cost for the full x64 version.

I agree with you on this. But it is not so much as the architecture as from what I have been reading at softpedia and other forums. It is more to do with licensing and that is where Microsoft gets us everytime. They have licensed your machine to run a 32 bit OS and that is all you can upgrade to. Since they provide both I would suggest this. If you have bought it, try a clean install by booting off the 64 bit DVD first and choose Custom. If you get an error saying you can't install due to system incompatability then you have to use the 32 bit DVD. If you do not want to take that chance then either try to return it for that very reason and see if they will allow you to pay the difference for the full OEM 64 bit DVD when it comes out. I will wait and just buy the full OEM DVD. Yes you are going to pay more but you get the peace of mind knowing you got the real full install. By the way, when you clean install from XP to 7 you are doing a full install however if you need to reinstall 7 again, don't be suprised if it does not require you to install XP first and then clean install 7. In other words, keep both OS DVD's.

i have a Sony VAIO FW series and a friend of mine installed windows 7 32-bit on accident instead of 64-bit. how can i put it back to 64 bit?

Originally Posted by CSD

i have a Sony VAIO FW series and a friend of mine installed windows 7 32-bit on accident instead of 64-bit. how can i put it back to 64 bit?

You would need to uninstall the 32 -bit and reinstall the 64-bit . In other words a clean install .

Originally Posted by whoosh

You would need to uninstall the 32 -bit and reinstall the 64-bit . In other words a clean install .

ok i reinstalled 64-bit but im not getting the full 1920X1080 resolution. its maxed out at 1280X1024. how do i fix this?

Originally Posted by CSD

ok i reinstalled 64-bit but im not getting the full 1920X1080 resolution. its maxed out at 1280X1024. how do i fix this?

Found this by a quick search hope it helps , was Just about to hit the sack

Change your screen resolution

i installed windows 7 32bit on my laptop cause i didn't know it can run 64bit. now i know that it can run 64bit i want to re install it. can i still use the product key that i used for the 32bit?

p.s. the windows 7 came in the same package 32bit and 64bit

ty in advance

Originally Posted by supremo

i installed windows 7 32bit on my laptop cause i didn't know it can run 64bit. now i know that it can run 64bit i want to re install it. can i still use the product key that i used for the 32bit?

p.s. the windows 7 came in the same package 32bit and 64bit

ty in advance

Yes, you will have to use the same product key for the 64-bit version of Windows 7. You'll end up formatting anyways because you have to do a clean install to go from 32-bit to 64-bit (an Upgrade will NOT work in this case) so the 32-bit version will no longer be installed... Once you have the 64-bit version installed you simply activate the same way you did with the 32-bit version..

You cannot upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit, you need to save your all files and format the partition for a clean installation. A clean install is always best anyway.