How to know what operating system I have i.e 32 bit or 64 bit

billyhead · 22-03-2014 02:38PM #1

Hi,

I have Microsoft XP home edition version 2002 service pack 3 on my netbook but when I check the systems icon general tab it does not state whether or not its 32 or 64 bit. I am planning to upgrade the O/S on the netbook to Windows 7. Would this be the correct software to buy and when it states medialess does that mean they e-mail you the link to the software and the activation key and dont send you a disk

http://www.dabs.ie/products/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-oem-service-pack-1-32-64bit-medialess-955Y.html?src=17

Any advice would be appreciated.

bonzodog2 · 22-03-2014 03:08PM

Find the CPU model from Device Manager and google it to check if it is capable of 64 bit, then you can decide, or you can just run 32bit Win7 on it either way

ZENER · 22-03-2014 03:45PM

64 bit versions of Windows XP were rare so chances are your current version is 32 bit.

A more relevant metric would be the model number of your computer. From that we could discover its processor and its capabilities.
Just to note here - you cannot "upgrade" Windows XP to Windows 7 directly. You could dual boot it with Windows 7 if the drive has enough space though.

Ken

billyhead · 22-03-2014 05:23PM

ZENER wrote: »

64 bit versions of Windows XP were rare so chances are your current version is 32 bit.

A more relevant metric would be the model number of your computer. From that we could discover its processor and its capabilities.
Just to note here - you cannot "upgrade" Windows XP to Windows 7 directly. You could dual boot it with Windows 7 if the drive has enough space though.

Ken

Ken,

I have just ordered the software linked above. Will I have to cancel the order and if so how will I get Windows 7 on the netbook? The reason I am upgrading is because Microsoft will not support XP from April 6th in terms of updates and security patches

bonzodog2 · 22-03-2014 05:31PM

I think the software linked above includes 32 and 64 bit versions, so prob good to go there. As a netbook, prob no optical drive? Can it boot from USB? Medialess means, AFAIK, you download it rather than get a DVD.

Have you considered the Linux alternative?

billyhead · 22-03-2014 05:40PM

bonzodog2 wrote: »

I think the software linked above includes 32 and 64 bit versions, so prob good to go there. As a netbook, prob no optical drive? Can it boot from USB? Medialess means, AFAIK, you download it rather than get a DVD.

Have you considered the Linux alternative?

Hi Bonzodog2. No it does not have an optical drive. Downloading it would probaly be the best option then. I presume the suppier will send me a link to download it from with the licence key. Btw the netbook I have is a samsung n130
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Netbook-1-6GHz-Processor-Battery/dp/B002MQOI3K
and according to this link
http://www.computingunleashed.com/speed-up-windows-7-ultimate-guide-to.html
has the minimum requirements for Windows 7 so I should be okay shoudn't I:)

bonzodog2 · 22-03-2014 05:53PM

Seems like the samsung n130 should boot from USB. Maybe a good idea to make a DVD of it anyway if you can, just in case...

Only 1GB of RAM (think you can upgrade to 2GB http://www.crucial.com/store/ListParts.aspx?model=N130), so while it should run W7, http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/model/NP-N130-KA01UK-techspecs suggests W7 Starter; maybe W7Home Premium will take up more space.

As a netbook, will you doing anything more than browsing/streaming on it?

yoyo · 22-03-2014 05:56PM

It's 32Bit. There was only a XP Professional 64bit build, and even still this was very rarely sold, can't remember the OEMs ever shipping it with computers. If you only have a gig of RAM, choose the 32Bit Win 7 install

Nick

billyhead · 22-03-2014 06:16PM

Thanks folks. The netbook will only be used for browsing, streaming etc and downloading music and the odd film. No gaming. Unfortunately Dabs.ie don't have windows 7 starter available only home premium (see link below). Should i cancel my order then?

http://www.dabs.ie/category/computing,software,operating-systems/11168

Capt'n Midnight · 22-03-2014 06:24PM

It's a net book so almost certainly 32 bit.
Many have a limit of 2GB RAM because that's all the chipset has lines for , others have a limit of 1.5GB because 0.5GB is soldered on mother board and only one slot. YMMV

use CPUZ to tell you what cpu / RAM you have , ram without serial numbers usually means it's on the mother board

Forget the upgrade, try to do a clean windows 7 install if possible

billyhead · 22-03-2014 08:03PM

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

It's a net book so almost certainly 32 bit.
Many have a limit of 2GB RAM because that's all the chipset has lines for , others have a limit of 1.5GB because 0.5GB is soldered on mother board and only one slot. YMMV

use CPUZ to tell you what cpu / RAM you have , ram without serial numbers usually means it's on the mother board

Forget the upgrade, try to do a clean windows 7 install if possible

Thanks. All the advice was much appreciated;)

unkel · 25-03-2014 02:12AM

yoyo wrote: »

If you only have a gig of RAM, choose the 32Bit Win 7 install

1GB of RAM will very quickly be used up rendering the netbook so slow it won't be usable

An alternative to spending €60 (or thereabouts) on W7 OS software plus more again on a memory upgrade is to sell the netbook on adverts and buy one a few years younger that comes with 2GB and W7.

Alun · 25-03-2014 10:11AM

The N130 comes with a 1GB module as standard in a single memory slot, so to upgrade to 2GB you have to remove that module and replace it with a 2GB module. It's a standard DDR2 SO-DIMM module like this one here http://www.memoryc.com/computermemory/ddr2sodimm/2gbgskill800pc26400.html which I have in my Samsung N140 Netbook which I also upgraded from 1GB to 2GB. It's a very simple upgrade, just one screw to remove the access panel to the memory slot, that's it.

It's running Windows 7 Home Premium, and although it runs OK, it isn't exactly snappy either.

vibe666 · 25-03-2014 11:23AM

you can pretty much 99.99% guarantee that on a winXP netbook with 1gb RAM, you have a 32bit OS.

As has been said, you'll want to do a fresh install of Win7, rather than an upgrade for the best results.

it's going to run like a dog with only 1gb of RAM, so I would strongly recommend a 2gb RAM upgrade (unfortunately that the max. the N130 will take), but it is literally a 5 minute job even for a total novice, just removing a single screw and small cover and pulling out and swapping the existing 1gb RAM with the 2gb upgrade.

another option to improve speed (quite significantly) is to upgrade the HDD to a SSD, but you're probably going to want to find a nerd to help you with that.

if you want to keep all your files and settings and move them to windows 7, you'll want to use the Microsoft easy transfer wizard which will guide you through making a backup and then restoring your settings once windows 7 is installed. it's specifically designed for doing what you need to do, but you will need a USB hard drive to complete it (maybe borrow one if you haven't already got one of your own?).

you'll also need a USB key to install windows 7 from once you've downloaded it.

janeparker · 26-03-2014 08:16AM

Reach at 'My Computer' icon on desktop the click 'right button' of your mouse then "System Properties" dialogue box appears. In 'general' tab, you find all information about system configuration like RAM,Operating system, version and bit information.

In case of 32- bit, It only shows 'Professional' but 64-bit system is mentioned with 'Professional x64 Edition Version'.

billyhead · 28-03-2014 11:33AM

vibe666 wrote: »

you can pretty much 99.99% guarantee that on a winXP netbook with 1gb RAM, you have a 32bit OS.

As has been said, you'll want to do a fresh install of Win7, rather than an upgrade for the best results.

it's going to run like a dog with only 1gb of RAM, so I would strongly recommend a 2gb RAM upgrade (unfortunately that the max. the N130 will take), but it is literally a 5 minute job even for a total novice, just removing a single screw and small cover and pulling out and swapping the existing 1gb RAM with the 2gb upgrade.

another option to improve speed (quite significantly) is to upgrade the HDD to a SSD, but you're probably going to want to find a nerd to help you with that.

if you want to keep all your files and settings and move them to windows 7, you'll want to use the Microsoft easy transfer wizard which will guide you through making a backup and then restoring your settings once windows 7 is installed. it's specifically designed for doing what you need to do, but you will need a USB hard drive to complete it (maybe borrow one if you haven't already got one of your own?).

you'll also need a USB key to install windows 7 from once you've downloaded it.

Thanks for the advice. I will purchase a 2gb ram module. Just wondering how much space on the USB flsh drive would i need to install the OS in a clean install?

billyhead · 31-03-2014 12:44PM

Folks,

I received the delivery of this today. Would anyone know if it would contain the 32 bit version of the O/S because it says on the package that its the 64 windows 7 home edition service pack 1 licence and then on the delivery docket it has 32/64 bit media less. I hope I dont have to go to the trouble of sending it back

http://www.dabs.ie/products/microsof...5Y.html?src=17

srsly78 · 01-04-2014 05:56PM

Doesn't matter, the key will work with either. Just download x64 if you need it, and use whatever key you got.

vibe666 · 01-04-2014 06:10PM

I've found that (particular lower spec boxes like atoms) the 64bit version of Win7 is more sluggish with less than 4gb of ram compared to the 32bit version installed on the same PC, so I'd stick with the 32bit one if I were you.

The same key will work with either and I'm pretty sure the download of Win7 will fit on a 4gb USB stick, but you'll definitely be fine with an 8gb or above one.

ion564 · 02-04-2014 06:05PM

Check you RAM size. If its 4 GB install 32 bit if its greater than go for 64 bit. Check your windows version also.

How to know what operating system I have i.e 32 bit or 64 bit

Comments