T400/Win7 32-bit memory question

I have a T400. I upgraded it from Vista Professional 32-bit to Win7 Professional 32-bit.

After that I upgraded memory.

Before memory upgrade, the system showed 3GB memory and 2.96GB Usable.
I replaced the 1GB memory card with a 4 GB memory card and now it shows 6GB memory and 2.96GB Usable.

I am a bit confused. For a 32-bit system, is 2.96GB the maximum usable? If not, why does my T400 still show 2.96GB usable even I have 6GB memory in total?

Thanks a lot and Happy New Year!

 

Yes, a 32 bit system can only use 3GB of memory. It will very a bit because of the board, but it's the same for Windows, Linux and OS X. With 32 bit you can only address so much memory. This is why I have 3GB in my X220i. I'm running Windows 7 x86 and it doesn't pay to buy more than 3GB.

 

ZaZ, thanks so much for your quick input.

All the best.

 

you know, it took me 3 calls to tech support before I can pry that answer out of them 3.5 years ago

apparently the mapping is not just windows-dependant but also system-defined

I have a feeling you can use your 32bit activation key for the x64 version, but make sure you check that first
and use ABR for the key transfer

 

I bought Win7 upgrade key.

Hearst, do you think the key will work on a 64 bit Win7?

receph, what does ABR stand for?

Cheers!

 

>>if you don't have access to the 64 bit Windows 7 disc you can acquire it from this thread here.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...r-windows-7-sp1-13-languages.html#post7822528

I went to MSDN to download Win7 64-bit, but found out that I have no subscription.

>>There is no subscription associated with your Live ID. Add a subscription to this account.

I bought my Win7 license from an online vendor about a year and half ago. It appears there is no chance for me to go to that vendor for a different Win7 version because download period was 30 days after purchase.

So where can I get the 64-bit Win 7 Pro software?

Thanks for help!

 

I found this link from which I may be able to download Win7 Pro 64 bit.

Download: Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (KB976932) - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

But I am not quite sure which one I should download. Can someone tell me which one is right for me? Do these links have Win7 plus SP1 or just SP1?

I have a T400.

Cheers!

 

Just called Microsoft tech support. A rep told me that my 32-bit upgrade key does not work for 64-bit Win 7. Just to share this info.

 

http://directedge.us/content/abr-activation-backup-and-restore
use the beta version

 

I guess my wording is a bit poor from the last response, basically MDDZ what you need to do is get Windows 7 Professional from the links provided, you don't need a MSDN subscription to acquire the ISO. The one you need is linked here.

I have just done this myself with a spare hard drive using both Windows 7 32 bit and 64 bit Pro along with ABR to activate and it has worked fine.

Go back to your original 32 bit Pro setup and get the app called ABR Backup and Restore which you can obtain from here.

Check your 32 bit OS has been activated as shown below:



Get an USB stick and extract the app (for Windows 7) on it, then run the Backup application.



Make sure you have the extra two files on your USB stick. Then backup any files and programs you want and then perform a clean install of Windows 7 x64. When it asks for a serial just skip it and untick the box where it asks Windows to go online and activate.

In Windows 7 x64 you should have the following:



Run ABR Restore this time and let it run:



Afterwards once its done, check the System Properties to see if it has been activated and thats it really.

 

Hearst and other folks, cannot say enough thank-you.

All the best.

 

>>I guess my wording is a bit poor from the last response, basically MDDZ what you need to do is get Windows 7 Professional from the links provided, you don't need a MSDN subscription to acquire the ISO. The one you need is linked here.

What Win 7 (64-bit) is this download? Beta, Win7, or Win7 with SP1? I am going to finish this upgrade today and will report back to folks here.

Cheers.

 

First, I ensure that 32-bit Win7 on my T400 is activated.

I downloaded Win7 and converted it into an install DVD. Then I downloaded ABR and did ABR backup.

However, when I ran the install DVD on my T400 (Win7 32-bit), I got the error message:

------
This installation disc isn't compatible with your version of Windows. To upgrade, you need the correct installation disc. For more information, check your computer's system information. To install a new copy of Windows, restart (boot) your computer using the installation disc, and then select Custom (advanced).
------

I did restarted my T400 with the install DVD. However, the computer did not start from the DVD.

I got stuck in step.

Any suggestion?

Thanks very much.

 

The disc is the full retail version of Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1.

Assuming the Windows 7 x64 disc is inside your DVD drive, when you switch the system on the ThinkPad logo will show up on screen. From there keep pressing the F12 button which should open your boot options. Simply select your DVD drive and run the Windows installer.

When you install Windows 7 64 bit over 32 bit, you can only choose the Custom (Advanced) option when installing, you can't do a direct upgrade as the system files and architecture are different and needs an complete overhaul. The Upgrade option is only available if you have Vista/Win 7 64 bit to begin with. That's why its imperative to backup your personal files and applications as it will start from scratch.

 

Hearst,

>>When it asks for a serial just skip it and untick the box where it asks Windows to go online and activate.

By serial number, you mean product key?

Thanks.

 

Yes, for the product key (though I call it the serial number myself) just skip it and untick the box where it asks to go online and activate.

 

Hearst,

I have to explain something. When I ran ABR backup successfully as I said in my previous email, I did not realize that I ran ABR backup before "Windows is activated". And so I did three Win7 64-bit installs and none of them had "Windows is activated".

So I reverted my T400 back to Win7 Pro 32-bit. Activated the Windows and saw "Windows is activated". However when I ran ABR backup this time, I always got one file:

backup-key.txt

Anything wrong?

In my previous run of ABR backup, I did got two files as you indicated. So can I this new backup-key.txt plus previously generated backup-cert file?

Thanks a lot!

 

Hi MDDZ, I like to apologise as I found out ABR is only useful if you have an OEM installation which uses 2 parts (backup-cert and backup-key). Since non-OEM installs will not have an OEM certificate to backup, the whole process will fail as a result. I verified this when using my non-OEM installation of Windows 7 on my T61 (for the guide earlier I used my T420 which had an OEM setup to begin with).

That said, there is another activation backup tool I found that seems to work with non-OEM installs called Token Restore. It extracted my genuine activation status from my Windows 7 Pro 64 bit Retail OS and restored back on a fresh install of Windows 7 Pro in 32 bit with success so it should work vice versa.

 

Hearst,

I am trying your new approach. I just want to let you know that I am sooooo grateful for your generous help. If nothing works, I still owe you a lot.

Happy New Year!

 

Hearst,

Good news! I used your Token Restore program and followed the steps you outlined before. Now, after restore, I am able to see "Windows is activated" in System for the 64-bit Win7 Pro on my T400. I also see the "genuine" icon on the right-hand side in System. Does this mean that the install is successful?

Cheers!

 

Indeed, the Token Restore app had successfully migrated your activation key from 32 bit to 64 bit, thus your 64 bit OS is now activated. Congrats! Glad it all worked out for you in the end!

 

You are the best!!!