Replacing 32 bit with 64

A friend of mine has a Gateway P-6860, same as me, but he put 32 bit on it when he got it. He wants to know if he puts in the 64 bit cd and boots from that will it format his drive? How can he put 64 bit on his laptop without formatting if at ll possible? Also, when booting from CD, he get an install option, but doesnt know if it has more options past that or if it will like immediately format. If you need more information his Xfire is Fridgemunky4

 

He can't without formatting - they're completely different OSes and it's not a simple *upgrade*
He could partition and dual boot or backup & copy over files.

 

You cannot "upgrade" from 32-bit to 64-bit; install a 64-bit system requires a 64-bit install DVD, 64-bit drivers, and a clean slate. You'll have to reformat.

 

SO... from another perspective, if I have a system with Premium 64 Bit and I want Business 32 bit, I would have to buy the OS, format my hard drive and install it fresh?

Or would the act of installing the new OS format the drive?

 

Regardless of what version of OS you install, if it is going to change from 32bit to 64bit (or vise versa), you will be required to do a format of the hard-drive or create a partition to install the new OS.

Regarding your specific question above...yes, you will need to buy the OS and format your hard drive/create a separate partition and install it fresh. Act of installing the new OS will guide you through steps to reformat your hard-drive.

anyone, please chime in if I'm incorrect.

 

Now, this is a preconfigured Sony Vaio. I was an IDIOT and thought a CRITICAL piece of software would work. Wrong. The vendor specifically states tthat 1--will not support home versions of vista and 2 will not support any 64 bit Vista in the software version I have.

So... if I format the drive, install Business 32 bit, I can use my crucial software. Then, I should be able to get drivers for some of the things I want (IE built in Sony webcam), but I would be bloatware free...

 

Is that a bad thing?

 

I recommend the make a partition -> install 64bit onto that partition and set up a dual boot system.

 

Actually, it is a thing which will make me giddily happy.

I seem to have hijacked the thread a little bit, but from the responses, it sounds that if you are changing from 32 to 64 OR from 64 to 32 then it is a whole new OS and cannot be an 'upgrade'.

Thanks All! I hope these responses helped the OP as well.

 

If it is a newly purchased laptop, apparently you can call up the manufacturer and request 32-bit or 64-bit DVDs for your model.

In any case, switching architectures (32-bit to 64-bit or vice versa) does require a completely new installation.

 

You can request 32/64-bit DVDs, but not every manufacturer provides them. You might as well try though.