Windows 7 32-Bit To 64-Bit Upgrade Or Full Install?

At the moment i have windows 7 32-bit which was upgraded from vista 32-bit and i want to get windows 7 64-bit (because i have 4GB of ram and it's only reading 3.25GB of it)
So is it possible to use a full install disk of windows 7 64-bit on my windows 7 32-bit or must i have a 64-bit upgrade?

 

I believe that maximum RAM for Windows 7 (32) is 4GB (except the starter version and I have yet to meet anyone who actually has that.) Before you upgrade I would question whether some of that "missing" RAM is attributable to your graphics card?

If that is the case there would be no difference in the readings with 64 bit.

 

That's not quite right, the problem with 32 bit OS is it can only address 4Gig of RAM so if you have a GPU with RAM it will use up some of the available RAM Address so although it's there the OS cant address it so won't "see it"

With a 64Bit OS the OS can address of the top of my head something around 128Gig so once it has an address windows can use it

Owing to the fact that Windows 7 64Bit will need a completely new set of drivers I would go for a clean install, although if you install over the top or upgrade it will probably put all your documents into a folder for you, but you still end up having to re-install all your programs that will work and get 64bit versions for the ones that don't

 

I agree but my point is that if a certain amount of RAM is being used by graphics it will continue to use it with 64bit. If there was another gig of RAM with the 32 bit then it would recognize the full 4 gigs. Now, having said that, I may be entirely wrong. :snckr:

 

I think I know what you are getting at,

With a 32 Bit OS it can only Address 4G of RAM unfortunately windows needs around 512Mb of those addresses so the most RAM you can have and use is 3.5Gb

Now if you then have a GPU with 1Gb of its own onboard RAM you will loose another 1GB of Addresses so effectively out of your 4Gb of installed RAM sticks you will only use 2.5Gb of them.

With a 64 Bit OS it can Address 128Gb theoretically, although realistically Windows would only address 48Gb (or is it 64Gb) not sure if it were possibly to have that much installed.

So it will have its 512Mb of Addresses, and still then be able to Address the whole 4Gb or 8Gb if your being silly with more money than sense, and still have room to spare to Address another Gb plus of GPU RAM.

So if you have 4 X 2Gb Ram sticks and 2 X GPU with 1Gb of RAM each you could have 10Gb of RAM inside your machine

But (you knew it was coming)

I have 80 or so applications installed in my Programs(X86) Folder that can only use 3.5Gb of that potential 10Gb

and

wait for it

26 applications in my programs Folder that could use the full 10Gb if it were there. (4.5Gb really)

or put another way 75% of software is still in 32Bit OS and without looking which folder they got installed into I couldn't tell you which ones run 64Bits or 32Bits

 

...................OK i think i get what you guys are on about.
First of all i have 4GB of ram and this is what it sais when i right click my computer:
Installed memory (RAM): 4.00 GB (3.25 GB usable)

I also have a Nvidea 9800GT 1GB.

But my question is can i use the full install disk of Windows 7 64-bit on a 32-bit. And should i restore my hardrive first. By the way ifi do restore it does that take the OC off i previousily had vista and upgraded to windows 7 does that mean il have to instal vista then upgrade then do i full install to 64-bit or could i just do the full install windows 7 64-bit straight off the restore?

 

You can't upgrade from 32bit to 64bit. You have to do a clean install. You can use the install disk, but, will have to boot from it to do the install. If you run the installer while in Windows 7 32bit it will tell you to reboot with the dvd in the drive to install Windows 7 64bit.

You will lose your original Vista install that you upgraded to.

Don't worry about driver issues. Unless you are using some old exotic printer you won't have any driver problems. I have not had to install any driver on the many installs of Windows 7 64 I have done. 64bit driver support is 100 times better than it was with XP64 and 10 times better than it was with Vista 64.

Software shouldn't be a problem either. Any 32bit app that runs on your install of Windows 7 will continue to work when you go to 64bit. You will of course have to install the software again. Contrary to what many people think there are very few 64bit apps out at the moment and the only 32bit app I found that doesn't work on 64bit is our accounting software. I cured that by using XP Mode. Most of the software that people run on Windows 7 64 is in fact 32bit. You won't see 64bit software be the main stream until we get off the x86 platform altogether.

 

So i "DONT" have to install vista again i can instal the windows 7 64-bit right after wiping everything off it?

 

The following OS support 64bit
XP
Vista
W7

you need to have a key/install disk though that is 64bit OEM disks do not have both versions on the same disk, retail do but you need different keys.

 

I know dalo but do i need to instal vista again once i wipe my comp or do i can i just install windows 7 64-bit?

 

Do you have a Windows 7 64Bit Disk? (OEM or Retail) if so then there is no need to install Vista.

The disk you used to upgrade from Vista 32 Bit to windows 7 32 Bit won't install windows 7 64 bit.

 

My friends getting the disk from another friend.
Not sure whether its OEM or Retail.
But if its either one of those does that mean there is no need to install vista?
By the way whats OEM?

 

LOL OEM is basically what the mass of the shelf companies install and is licensed to be used on one machine. or motherboard and once it's put on that machine and activated it registers it's self with Microsoft and won't install on any other. where as the Retail version will allow itself to be installed on any one machine at any one time.

won't say no more about that. other than make sure it's a genuine copy

but just Back up format and install, and all should be well.

 

Thankue for your help

 

Ok I will try and clarify this as best as I can as the 'rules' are flakey at best:-

When Windows sells the OS, they come in a variety of formats:-

Retail - these are what the likes of Scan, Amazon, and many other etailers sell, they feature both 32 and 64 bit versions on the same disk, but at the install you need to choose which you require and use the appropriate key (more expensive than OEM) comes with a nice box and manual

OEM - these are what system builders use they do not feature anything more than a very limited manual and the disk and key, comes in either 32 or 64 bit versions BUT are not on the same disk you purchase either a 32 or 64 bit version disk. With an OEM disk you do not get any support from MS in any way, the OS is effectively tied down to one system using information supplied by the hardware (the MOBO) (if your MOBO dies and you replace the MOBO and then try and reinstall the key will no longer work, you need to call MS and tell them and they more often than not will give you another key) although they do not have to do this!

 

I understand, but they do sell OEM on the market, right?

 

Yes technically they are only supposed to sell it if you buy a motherboard and other components, however money is money and it can save you a lot, so computer shops sell the copies on their own
who needs a nice dvd box, and a manual, and a number to phone Microsoft support

 

Some thoughts by Woody on Upgrades:

Check out the "Get-Vista-upgrade-never-pay-full-price" link. Also true for Windows 7.