The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Does 32 bit vista upgrade to 64 bit require reformat?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Czaralekzander, Mar 17, 2008.

  1. Czaralekzander

    Czaralekzander Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Can I upgrade Home Prem. 32 bit to bit without reformatting? Additionally, I am using the Home Prem. that came with my dell. Is there a way for me to get a free bit edition of Home Prem.?
     
    Czaralekzander, Mar 17, 2008
    #1
  2. schoko

    schoko Custom User Title

    Reputations:
    405
    Messages:
    1,090
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    nope. it´s a completely different os. you can´t just add another 32 bit to the system.
    your choices are :

    a: to do a dual boot ( if you have the hdd space i´d recommend this)
    b: wipe the hdd and make a clean install of vista x64

    before you wipe your hdd you should try dualbooting. you can see if the os is fine for you, if you get all the drivers... etc. it´s better to do it this way , than wiping your hdd just to find out you don´t get all the drivers, or you´re unhappy with the os.
     
    schoko, Mar 17, 2008
    #2
  3. kanehi

    kanehi Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    146
    Messages:
    1,943
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    If you have an original install disc you have a choice of updating or clean install when it loads at boot time.
     
    kanehi, Mar 17, 2008
    #3
  4. Silas Awaketh

    Silas Awaketh Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    891
    Messages:
    1,676
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Except, a 64 bit OS can't "update" a 32 bit OS.

    The only way is a complete reformat.
     
    Silas Awaketh, Mar 17, 2008
    #4
  5. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

    Reputations:
    6,156
    Messages:
    11,214
    Likes Received:
    68
    Trophy Points:
    466
    You cannot upgrade to 64bit.

    It will always be a clean install when changing architectures in vista. The upgrade option will be grayed out when your doing the install.
     
    flipfire, Mar 17, 2008
    #5
  6. Czaralekzander

    Czaralekzander Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Thanks for the help guys. Anyone know of a list of programs which dont currently work with 64-bit? Specifically, I am thinking about stat/math/econometric type programs (Matlab, S-Plus/R, Mathematica, EViews, SAS, Gauss ect ect)
     
    Czaralekzander, Mar 17, 2008
    #6
  7. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

    Reputations:
    6,156
    Messages:
    11,214
    Likes Received:
    68
    Trophy Points:
    466
    not sure as i dont use those programs.. 1+1 = 3 haha

    I suggest you google the programs name and add "64bit" in the end
     
    flipfire, Mar 17, 2008
    #7
  8. nobscot6

    nobscot6 Wise One

    Reputations:
    419
    Messages:
    1,364
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    As stated, you can't upgrade

    but you also ask if you can get a free 64bit edition

    well, if you can find a 64bit disk or download it, you can use your existing key/vista certificate, but you must save these using orev's abr tool = see this thread-->

    Orev's ABR Tool and Clean Install Guide
     
    nobscot6, Mar 17, 2008
    #8