Windows7 32bit to 64bit Upgrade - problem?

[boleyd]

Windows7 Home Premium, 4gb (8 ready to go), 2.4ghz dualcore

I have two disks from Microsoft - one is labled 32bit which I used to install the current OS. The other is labeled 64bit. I wanted to see if I had any issues before proceeding with the real upgrade. I booted from the 64bit disk to C: ok. However, after going through file loading, it started Windows and simple hung with a larger cursor on the screen.

So, do I have to totally erase the C: drive to load the 64bit OS from the 64bit disk?

Or, should I create a new partition on the C: drive instead, and boot to that?
I read a few years ago about partitions reducing disk performance so that needs to be verified?

Or, I could boot to the G: drive where I have a new 80% empty disk with two train sims and X-Plane on it?

The G: drive looks like the best approach in terms of safety but does placing the 64bit OS on a non-C: drive
create other problems?

Thanks

 

[wreeder]

There is nothing special about the drive letter C: as far as booting is concerned. It is just a matter of tradition to use the C: drive. You can install an OS to any drive's primary partition as long as it is a boot (active) partition and boot from it. I have one computer which boots from E: just fine. Not sure about upgrading a 32 bit Win 7 to 64 bit though. I think you would have to wipe the 32 bit first or do a dual boot scenario from another drive.

William

Edit:http://forums.techguy.org/windows-vista/826989-solved-dual-boot-win-7-a.html

 

[clam1952]

From Microsoft

[h=3]Can I upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows? [/h] No. If you are currently running a 32-bit version of Windows, you can only perform an upgrade to another 32-bit version of Windows. Similarly, if you are running a 64-bit version of Windows, you can only perform an upgrade to another 64-bit version of Windows.

I'd go for a dual boot initially, I've had 5 or 6 different operating systems installed at times in the past all various flavours of Windows, Linux, Beos , various betas and suchlike. with a variety of boot managers. You may find something like EasyBCD useful

 

[boleyd]

Ok, I am going to go for 64bit on the G: drive which has 680gb available.

I boot from the Windows Home Premium disk labeled 64bit.
It does a file load and shows a white progress bar at the bottom of the screen.
Next the normal Windows7 startup process begins and the usual colorfull icon appears with Startup
The "normal" default Windows7 background screen appears as well as a slightly larger than normal cusror
At that point nothing I do gets beyond that. I can move the cursor ,but clicking and various keyboard actions do nothing

Now is there something I need to do to prepare the G: disk for an install from the 64bit DVD? There has never been an OS on it.

PS: I have EasyBCD installed

 

[wreeder]

Here are some step by step instructions.

http://www.pagestart.com/dualbootkorner.html

William

 

[boleyd]

Ok, have 64bit on one drive and 32bit on another. The process changed my drive allocations which will take time to straighten out.

I tried my 32bit install disk and it also stopped with a blank screen and a cursor. Went into BIOS to nose around and rebooted with the 32bit disk and now it showed the windows in the link you sent me. Tried booting from the 64bit install disc and now it also worked and the rest is history.

Thanks