Forcing 64-bit Windows 7 installation ???

The Portege R600-S4201 has been a wonderful workhorse. For three years it's performed flawlessly, despite being battered and misused. With the transflective screen I can use it on the beach or in the park for six hours on battery - there's just nothing like it.

I like it so much that I keep a spare, and want to use this unit as long as it will meet my business needs -- no games, videos, music, etc.

To upgrade the unit, I just installed a Vertex 3 SSD, and when re-installing Windows 7 Pro realized that it's operating 32-bit.

Toshiba says it's a 64-bit computer, but the factory installation was 32-bit Vista. The U9400 processor is 64-bit compatible, though with only 3GB RAM it's a bit tight. There appears to be no hardware that's incompatible with 64-bit.

How can I elevate to 64-bit operation - Windows 7 Pro?

The original installation is 1GB RAM soldered down, and a 2GB stick. Would it be helpful to buy a 4GB stick?

THANKS to the gurus here!

 

You will have performance decreae if you have x64 OS with only 3GB of RAM.
Even if you would have 4 GB still it is 50/50 what to install. Are you 100% sure that 1 ram is soldered??

 

64 bit will run fine on 4gb. more than fine, and on 3 it will be acceptable as well.

you need to get hold of a 64-bit version of your version of windows, so if you have home premium on there or whatever, get hold of a disc with 64-but version on there of same version and you will be able to use your code on the bottom of the laptop and simply flatten the hard drive and re-install

 

Thanks...

First, the 1GB RAM board is indeed soldered down. I'll stick with the 2GB in the only removable position for now, but will buy a 4GB stick if the 64-bit install seems to be going well. It's only about $65, I think. I paid more than that for 4 MEGAbytes some decades ago...

Second, I was using a W7Pro install downloaded and burned to disk by a Microsoft Partner, and only a minute ago learned that it has only the 32-bit choice, but commercial W7 install disks provide the 32/64 option during installation. I'll use a commercial disk and hopefully will have the choice.

The Vertex SSD is very fast, and hopefully will keep the system usable for another year or two. There's nothing at two pounds quite like it, and nothing at any weight with a transflective screen plus an ExpressCard slot for my Mogo mouse.

I've already cleaned out the cooling system and replaced the thermal compound, and removed/Caig'd/reconnected all connectors. If any guru here has ideas about further improving this unit, I'll be very grateful!

 

SSD and max the memory and thats about it mate, so seems your done

 

this one is for 50$ Newegg.com - Patriot Signature 4GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Laptop Memory Model PSD24G8002S

 

I am running R600 with W7 64bit and 3Gb RAM. It is subjectively as fast or just tad faster as my other R600 with W7 32bit and 3Gb RAM. The later has 1,2GHz CPU though.

 

I assume you are aware that you cannot do an inplace upgrade of 32bit Win7 to 64bit Win7? This install will wipe your hard drive and then do a clean install of of 64bit Win7.

Unless you are SURE that you will increase RAM to 4+GB, or have a specific 64bit app you want to run, there is no advantage to going 64bit - and a couple disadvantages.