Upgrade media questions, clean installing, 32-bit to 64-bit, etc.

I have a Lenovo T500 in which I installed a trial version of Windows 7 about a month ago. My trial is going to end soon, 4 days to be exact. I've got all my files in a flash drive and plan and reinstalling the trial version one more time, since the shipment for my upgrade media was delayed for months. I am going to get it when I get back home, on the 18th.



With that said, will I have problems using the upgrade media disc, considering that I don't have a genuine windows key/license installed on the laptop right now?



Can I clean install rather than upgrade?



Will I be able to install 64-bit rather than 32-bit? The upgrade media sent to me is 32-bit because my original lenovo T500 was ordered with 32-bit vista (for whatever reason, when I ordered, the only upgrade option was going from home basic to home premium, with no 64-bit option). If not, is there anyway for me to use some other type of media that I can use my license key from Lenovo to clean install 64-bit?

 

You may have a problem installing the upgrade DVD on top of a trial installations. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. There are work arounds.

Yes you can clean install. Setup calls it a Custom Install. If you choose to upgrade, startup Setup from inside Windows. If not, just boot from the DVD.

I'm pretty sure the upgrade media contains only 32 bit. So you'll have to download an x64 ISO file from Microsoft. Burn the ISO onto a DVD and use the upgrade product key on that DVD.

 

I have a windows 7 disc that my friend made for me through an ISO from microsoft. This is the full version and it is what I used to install the trial version. Can I use the upgrade key when I install it?

 

Well, according to Microsoft, no. You are suppose to have a valid Vista installation, use the upgrade DVD, have it validate the Vista installation, and then choose to upgrade or custom install.

But technically, the product key will work.

 

I'm still confused here... so will the upgrade key given to me by lenovo work or not?

If not, how can I revert to vista (in which my product key on my laptop will activate it)? I have no discs from lenovo and not sure if this partition [Lenovo (D drive]is the factory restore (and how to use it if it is)

 

No recovery partition? No recovery disks?

No problem. Download yourself copies of the Vista ISO. Or call up Lenovo and ask for copies of the recovery DVD.



I wouldn't worry too much. When you get the upgrade DVD, you'll probably need to use the workaround posted here:

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

Should be self explanatory.