Laptop Upgrade OS Issue

Zonda999

Hey guys, just bought this from Argos for my Sisters boyfriend,

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5083163/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7COffice%252C%2BPCs%2Band%2Bphones%7C14418968/c_2/2%7Ccat_14418968%7CLaptops%2Band%2BNetbooks%7C16164797/c_3/3%7Ccat_16164797%7CLaptops%7C16164800.htm

It came pre-loaded with Vista HP

Note this bit in particular

Comes with Windows 7 Premium Upgrade in the box.

However, i've just been setting it up there and theres no mention of windows 7 anywhere in it, and there's certainly no upgrade disc or options in the box. It was bought in the knowledge that it has 7 HP in the box with just the need to install, anyone know what the story is here?

Zonda999

Hold on, the upgrade envelope was on the outside of the box, silly me... :rolleyes: (I know why too, apparently the manufacture date of the laptop was the 13/6/2009, thats before the start of that auto upgrade programme)

Leaves me with another query here though, i've got 2 upgrade discs to choose from, a 32bit one and a 64 bit one, now the vista preloaded on the laptop is 32bit so have a i a choice which upgrade disc to use here? Surely i should just go for the 64bit os, judging by the specs??

Thanks for any guidance here!

mp22

you cant usually upgrade from 32 to 64 bit.

mp22

sorry double post

Overheal

You can perform a clean install with the upgrade disc to do 64-bit but it's a few extra steps. You also still need the old license: presumably microsoft is able to match the licenses to your motherboard or some black magic so even without being sandwhiched on top of one another, the install will fly, even without you re-entering the Vista license as part of the install; assuming you've already turned on the laptop and activated Vista online with Windows genuine Advantage.

Here are the clean install instructions. You need to delete the old OS and do it clean like this to go from 32 to 64:


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Zonda999

Thanks for the replies lads

Anyway, i did a clean install of 7 64bit, went fine, pretty much. Having to sort out all the drivers is a real pain though but i think only with a clean install can you really judge the performance of a PC, its made some difference in this case anyway, the clean ionstall gets rid of all the crap Acer pre load onto it

@Overheal, i didnt read your post until i had already started the clean install and got a bit worried because i hadn't done anything to the existing 32bit OS, luckily everything has turned out fine though!