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    Installing 32bit Windows 7 on Acer Aspire with 64bit pre-installed

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by antirack, Jun 18, 2011.

  1. antirack

    antirack Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am currently looking at the Aspire 7750G which comes with 64bit windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed. It has 8GB memory.

    Would I be able to install the 32bit version of Windows 7 Ultimate (which I own), or would this cause problems? I am not sure what the difference is, but from my memory it is the fact that 32bit can't address more than 4GB?

    I just don't want to pay another upgrade for the Ultimate version (from Home Premium), since I already own the retail version of Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit.

    I look at the Aspire 7750G to replace my 5935G, mainly because my Hibernate doesn't work on W7 and because the 7750G has two HDD bays (1 HDD + 1 SSD). It's a bit bigger though, which I don't really need.

    PS: Oops, or does the Windows 7 retail version of Ultimate include both 32bit and 64bit? I may be just mixing it up with Vista. I don't have access to the box right now since I am traveling.
     
    antirack, Jun 18, 2011
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  2. Matt23

    Matt23 Notebook Enthusiast

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    If you only need just less than 4GB Ram then sure, go ahead and install the 32bit version. But having said that you may as well go for a laptop that has a 4GB Ram limit then if you only need that much.

    Also, as far as I know Ultimate should have both 32bit and 64bit in the box. Home Premium does so I assume the same goes for Ultimate as well.
     
    Matt23, Jun 18, 2011
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  3. KaKTy3

    KaKTy3 Notebook Enthusiast

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    FYI, you can install Windows Home Premium x64 with your existing Windows Home Premium 32-bit product key. It is, of course, up to you as to where you get the x64 media ;)
     
    KaKTy3, Jun 18, 2011
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  4. Orlbuckeye

    Orlbuckeye Notebook Evangelist

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    First of all you would have to do a clean install to move from 64 bit to 32 bit. Going to Ultimate gives you more networking features and will allow to to run XP mode. If you have no need for that then I wouldn't work about moving to Ultimate.
     
    Orlbuckeye, Jun 18, 2011
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  5. michael_recycled

    michael_recycled Notebook Deity

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    The retail package should contain a disc with 32bit and one with 64bit. Might be different in other countries.

    Apart from that, in case you do not have the 64bit disc, you can legally (!) download one and install with your retail key: http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-7-download-links-just-like-vista-before.html

    Michael
     
    michael_recycled, Jun 18, 2011
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  6. shakennstirred

    shakennstirred Notebook Evangelist

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    i`d stick with the 8gb ram and win 7 64bit
    silly to go back to 32bit and 3.5gb max just to have ultimate
    that offers very little extra
     
    shakennstirred, Jun 18, 2011
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