Windows 7 32-bit, upgradeable to 64-bit?

A

amber_dad

New Member
Hi everyone,
I got a quick newb question. I'm planning on buying Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit for my current comp. It's old and the processor doesn't support 64-bit. I'm planning on building a new comp in the future with 64-bit processor though. Is it possible to just upgrade the software to a 64-bit, or do I have to buy the 64-bit edition as well for the new comp?
 
What is the current specs of this pc? It may not be able to run windows 7 efficiently.
 
Well currently I'm using a HP Pavilion a1700n with Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit. AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+, NodusM3, DDR2 3072 MBytes Dual, ATI Radeon HD 5450. Windows 7 Ultimate was running great on this system until I moved and the computer got banged around a bit, now I think the hard drive got corrupted since I got a lot of errors now. I just want to get a new hard drive and reinstall windows 7, I don't have the install disk since this comp. was just given to me as a payment for a debt. The rig I plan on building I want to run a 64-bit, I just want to know if maybe there's a windows 7 software I should consider getting first, if there is such a thing, that can be upgraded to 64-bit. The future build is way in the future.
 
The HP is capable of installing a 64bit OS as you have a 64bit processor. You would need the retail version of windows 7 in order to install it on the new pc when you build it. If you have the OEM version, then its tied to the motherboard you install it on.
 
Wait a minute! So I can install the 64-bit windows 7 on it already? I thought that current processor was not 64-bit compatible.

I don't know what OEM is. Do you mean if the current software I have is OEM then I can't uninstall and then install 64-bit version? Reformatting the hard drive would do nothing?
 
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The AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ is a 64 bit cpu. Hence why it says athlon 64. What does the install cd for windows 7 look like?
 
So you need to get windows 7 then? Then you will need this specific one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116716&IsVirtualParent=1

That is the retail version which means it can be installed on more than one pc but would have to be uninstalled from first pc before can be installed on second pc.

DO NOT get this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

That one can only be installed on one motherboard and can't be transferred to a different pc.
 
Cool. Thank you so much, I'm sure you've saved me some time and money.

I'm a bit curious now. Would you mind explaining what the OEM means. As far as I can tell the OEM is to be set permanently right?
 
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OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer. Meaning just like I said, once installed that license is tied to the motherboard and can't be transferred to another pc. All computers you buy at the store have OEM licenses.
 
O.k. So you can rewrite over them, but you can't be moving them from computer to computer. So that you have to buy a copy for each computer. Right?

I have to admit those OEM editions are cheapier and a little more tempting for my tight budget.
 
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