32-bit to full install of 64-bit

bl8ckh8art · 15-03-2010 06:06PM #1

Ok, I realise there's a lot of topics regarding 32-bit v 64-bit, but I want some clarification. I'm running vista Home Premium 32-bit and I'm pretty sure I can run 64-bit vista. Under performance information and tools in control panel, it says 64-bit capable = yes. I don't like vista 32-bit as I occasionally suffer a BSOD due to memory management issues or irql_not_less_or_equal. I'm thinking 64-bit with more ram allowable would help. My question is what full installation paths are available for 32-bit vista, understanding that an upgrade is not possible. I would like to change to windows 7.

ronkmonster · 15-03-2010 06:12PM

Those bluescreens could indicate a hardware fail (sounds like memory) that won't be fixed by changing to 64bit.

How did you get Vista? with the pc or a bought from shop?

bl8ckh8art · 15-03-2010 06:20PM

The bsod's are a once in a blue moon type of thing and not too bothered with that. Vista came with my pc, Dell XPS630i, q9450 quad, 4 g's of ram, although only sees 3, 750 gb hd, 2 x 9800gt sli. I also got a creative x-fi which I think is a poc soundcard. The sound occasionally pops and utilises one speaker only sometimes. I know what people say about dell pc's but I plan on building my own in future.

ronkmonster · 15-03-2010 06:25PM

the 32bit key should work on a 64bit install disc. but you can't do an upgrade directly from 32bit to 64bit.

you'll have to source the disc image online yourself unless you want to buy again.

bl8ckh8art · 15-03-2010 06:32PM

Yeah, don't mind buying it cheaply on ebay. Just want to confirm that I'm right in thinking with a 64-bit os, I can use more than 4 gb's of ram. It's the os that dictates your max ram?

ronkmonster · 15-03-2010 07:13PM

yes 64bit allows 4gb+

Overheal · 15-03-2010 07:53PM

bl8ckh8art wrote: »

The bsod's are a once in a blue moon type of thing and not too bothered with that. Vista came with my pc, Dell XPS630i, q9450 quad, 4 g's of ram, although only sees 3, 750 gb hd, 2 x 9800gt sli. I also got a creative x-fi which I think is a poc soundcard. The sound occasionally pops and utilises one speaker only sometimes. I know what people say about dell pc's but I plan on building my own in future.

Silly Q, but are you running All of the latest drivers for your Dell, available on your product page?

After a factory reset (rolls me back to the day I bought it) I need to go get my drivers; re-flash the BIOS; install the Intell Matrix Storage Manager, etc. and its the missing IMSM that was often the cause of many a BSOD in the laptops early days.

bl8ckh8art · 15-03-2010 07:59PM

Yeah, updated the Bios but I never got a bsod since updating the bios.

dazberry · 15-03-2010 08:08PM

bl8ckh8art wrote: »

Just want to confirm that I'm right in thinking with a 64-bit os, I can use more than 4 gb's of ram. It's the os that dictates your max ram?

Your hardware needs to be able to address more than 4gb also, so you'll need to check the motherboard specifications too.

D.

bl8ckh8art · 15-03-2010 08:26PM

Yeah, checked that out too. It's an nvidia nforce 650i motherboard. So up to 8 gigs of ram.

32-bit to full install of 64-bit

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