Windows 7 upgrade

**jmw_man** · 03-03-11, 09:05 AM

Before all of the laptop discussion, I was working on fixing my desktop and hastily went out and bought the Windows 7 full install. Though, while at Best Buy the guy from Geek Squad told me he thinks my problem is with my hard drive.

When my wife mentioned I should look into getting a laptop I told her I was pretty sure I can't return the windows software because I broke the seal on the packaging. Correct me if I'm wrong. Anyways, she said I can just install it on her laptop. She has a:

Dell XPS M1330 w/ Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T9500 @ 2.6 GHz and 8 GB of Ram. Current OS is Vista - 32 Bit,..... I know, 8 GB ram + 32 Bit OS = waste of money. Well, now that I have the Windows 7 full install disk I figured, hey, this might be a good thing.

With the disk came a piece of paper saying I should visit windows.microsoft.com/upgradeadvisor and download the program. Apparently it would tell me if there are any known issues that might affect installation and whether I should install the 32 Bit or 64 Bit version of Windows 7. Well, I ran the program and all it told me was; "upgrade options available - you can upgrade to 32-bit windows 7 home premium or ultimate." It doesn't tell me that I can't run the 64 bit version and I want to know why I wouldn't be able to.

What do you guys think?

**WileECyte** · 03-03-11, 09:21 AM

64-bit isn't technically an 'upgrade'. You just need to get a hold of a 64-bit DVD and use the key that came with your 32-bit DVD. The keys provided will work with 32 or 64-bit of the same edition.

There used to be a website for Vista to request 64-bit media. I think they charged $10 for shipping?

**Rawr** · 03-03-11, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by jmw_man

Before all of the laptop discussion, I was working on fixing my desktop and hastily went out and bought the Windows 7 full install. Though, while at Best Buy the guy from Geek Squad told me he thinks my problem is with my hard drive.

When my wife mentioned I should look into getting a laptop I told her I was pretty sure I can't return the windows software because I broke the seal on the packaging. Correct me if I'm wrong. Anyways, she said I can just install it on her laptop. She has a:

Dell XPS M1330 w/ Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T9500 @ 2.6 GHz and 8 GB of Ram. Current OS is Vista - 32 Bit,..... I know, 8 GB ram + 32 Bit OS = waste of money. Well, now that I have the Windows 7 full install disk I figured, hey, this might be a good thing.

With the disk came a piece of paper saying I should visit windows.microsoft.com/upgradeadvisor and download the program. Apparently it would tell me if there are any known issues that might affect installation and whether I should install the 32 Bit or 64 Bit version of Windows 7. Well, I ran the program and all it told me was; "upgrade options available - you can upgrade to 32-bit windows 7 home premium or ultimate." It doesn't tell me that I can't run the 64 bit version and I want to know why I wouldn't be able to.

What do you guys think?

Is the upgrade advisor just saying that with an upgrade edition this is what you can do? Full install would probably be fine based on the specs. Although I definitely don't know as much as some =p.

**investigater** · 03-03-11, 09:41 AM

WileE is correct. Microsoft will send you a 64 bit dvd upon request. Shipping was $10 for me a little over 6 months ago.

**jmw_man** · 03-03-11, 11:28 AM

My package included both the 32 bit dvd and 64 bit dvd.

Well, I broke down, anxiety took over, and I ran to best buy and bought a new hard drive. Just put it in and booted from the 64 bit cd on my desktop. Installing now....

Question, since I have both the 64 bit cd and 32 bit cd, yall think I will be able to install the 32 bit on my wife's laptop if I'm already installing the 64 bit on my desktop?

**dex71** · 03-03-11, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by jmw_man

Question, since I have both the 64 bit cd and 32 bit cd, yall think I will be able to install the 32 bit on my wife's laptop if I'm already installing the 64 bit on my desktop?

nope.

**WileECyte** · 03-03-11, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by jmw_man

My package included both the 32 bit dvd and 64 bit dvd.

Well, I broke down, anxiety took over, and I ran to best buy and bought a new hard drive. Just put it in and booted from the 64 bit cd on my desktop. Installing now....

Question, since I have both the 64 bit cd and 32 bit cd, yall think I will be able to install the 32 bit on my wife's laptop if I'm already installing the 64 bit on my desktop?

No. You can only use a license key once, unless the package specifically says it's a multi-unit license. Office 2010 Home & Student can be installed on 3 machines concurrently , but all retail packaging of Windows operating systems is 1 install per license.