How to Upgrade OS - 32-bit to 64-bit

I don't believe it's possible to upgrade to Win 10 with this current PC. Here's the specs on (what I consider) a bit of a dinosaur once I upgrade it:
OS: 32-bit Vista
MoBo: IPIBL-LB (Benicia) -- this is the same that originally came with it
CPU: Intel C2D E8500
GPU: GeForce 210 series
RAM: 4GB-8GB of RAM (it currently has 3GB, so I just ordered a couple of 2GB 'sticks')
PSU: 400w

So, I guess even though it might not be considered an "upgrade" when going to Vista 64-bit, I mainly am just trying to utilize more RAM.

Not sold on Win 10, but might be worth a shot if it's a free upgrade. By the way, on all my PC's, Microsoft is hounding me to install 10, except for my daughter's. Is there something I have to do to 'qualify' my daughter's PC if I end up going that route?

Regarding the GPU, my daughter's not a heavy gamer, but she's going through a Minecraft phase. So this PC just has to get my daughter by for another year or two, and by that time, she'll get an upgrade in the form of a hand-me-down from another family member. Also, spending $100 on another license for 7 isn't a wise choice for me. I might just give it a shot and stick with the upgrades I mentioned, but leave the OS as 32-bit to see how it handles the game. Then I'll decide whether to purchase a Vista 64-bit installation DVD from eBay and do a clean install. It may seem like a lot of work and a hassle, but I enjoy this stuff, so it doesn't bother me. As long as I'm saving a few bucks and it makes my daughter happy, I'm good with it.

My advice is to only take it if offered. There are long discussions about workarounds but if the owner can't find those, imagine their surprises when they are tasked with making boot media, finding drivers and fixing what's broke. If it's not offered, there's a reason and finding the reason is a ride through a swamp at times.

As to 64 bit Vista. You won't find me advising that, On top of that a clean install is just as much work as days of old and today. You install the OS, then drivers in the right order then maybe some apps that turn on/off features and then assess if it's OK. Figure a week to a month for first timers.

Then we talk about licenses. My bet is your current Vista license is OEM so the key is worthless to your new Vista install. I've lost count of folk that don't believe, try it and blow up at forums over that.

As W10, you can test drive it for about a month at a time to see if it will run on the machine before expending the license fee.

That said, Cyber Monday was great here. New Windows 10 laptop for our niece. Won't say the price but in the low 100.

Thanks for all the info! Very helpful!

My whole goal when starting out was that if I could keep everything well under $100, I'd be in good shape. So far so good (which is why I'm staying away from buying a new OS license if at all possible)! If it ends up being more, I'll just find a good holiday deal on a new tower or laptop.

It's free. You can run 32 or 64 bit. It's what I use too.

Minecraft on Linux

http://www.howtogeek.com/198476/how-to-install-minecraft-on-ubuntu-or-any-other-linux-distribution/

http://www.lynda.com/articles/running-minecraft-ubuntu-linux

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B4pASryF_U

http://linuxg.net/how-to-install-minecraft-on-ubuntu-linux-mint-elementary-os-and-their-derivative-systems/

google can find many other pages and videos on it.

(Couldn't think of a better title )

I will absolutely check that out! Even if it's not necessarily the direction I want to go, I would love to know more about it and dig into it a little bit more. Always looking for different ideas. Thanks!

Linux is a (very) hard switch, because of the software and applications... Like a previous answer said, since there is probably a legit Windows license - if there are no problems with the computer and the upgrade shall go smoothly - it's gonna be the easiest, to just upgrade automatically (to 10). Heh. =)

....people sign up for a site when it's only necessary for participation in forums and comment areas, but then don't participate in it for 7-8 years, some even longer?

on the aim of this post?

There are automatic updates, from Windows (Micro$oft) Update that serve no other purpose than to annoy the hell out of people (what a stupid, greedy, decision).

It's -actually- more than one update, but maybe this is a place to start: http://www.ghacks.net/2015/06/10/i-dont-want-windows-10-removes-upgrade-notifications-from-windows-7-and-8/

(Personally I wouldn't use a utility, but hunt them down manually; then select never to install ('Hide'), once removed)

I have this Nexus 7 on my desk here and EVERY SINGLE DAY it seems I get updates for apps.

Right now there are 3 updates to Google Drive, Chrome Browser and Google Play.

I was wrong, expanding the update found a 4th update for Google+

--> It appears all platforms are moving to auto updating.

^^ (it currently has 3GB, so I just ordered a couple of 2GB 'sticks')

Um, you know that the RAM has to (all) be same speed, or the faster DIMMs will default to the slowest stick's speed... Also, if it's dual-channel RAM - you gotta keep 'em paired 2x2GB, 2x4GB (can't have 2x2 + 1, +3). Just btw.

Yep, I was aware of that! The mobo has 4 x DDR2 slots. So unless I'm misunderstanding something (which is completely possible), the way it came to me was with 2 x 1GB sticks, and 2 x ~500mb sticks. (The second pair was some odd number that I can't remember right now, but I remember thinking that it was strange how it wasn't a 'logical' number.) Anyway, at that time I was still planning on upgrading my OS to 64-bit to have the ability to make use of more RAM, so I bought 2 x 2GB sticks (240-pin DDR2) to replace the 2 x ~500MB sticks. In the past when upgrading RAM, all I've ever done was buy the same across the board -- 4 x 4GB or 4 x 2GB, etc. But since this tower had them paired (2 x 1GB sticks, and 2 x ~500mb sticks), but different amounts, I didn't think twice about just replacing the lower 2 sticks. Is my thinking correct?

The issue here is that sometimes when mixing RAM you find odd reboots and errors. So while it should work, that doesn't mean it will.

Given the machine age I'd hold fire on that RAM till the video card is installed and then well, my advice is to not do this.

....ok You're talking about not installing the new RAM at all, correct? I can try it though, right (after everything else is installed)? And then just re-install the old if I start getting errors, BSOD, or random re-boots?

We are talking an older PC. You can find priors where folk worked on it and it went downhill.

With the 32 BIT OS 3GB is spot on. And you know that the work to install a 64 BIT OS is a PITA. Not to mention getting Minecraft to 64 bit mode.

Your biggest bang for the effort is the graphics card. My advice is to do nothing else till that's in.

....makes a lot of sense, and seems like a wise course of action. I'll take this route. However, is it weird that I find myself wanting to take the harder path just so I can figure out how to fix it? Maybe I'm just a ******... Since it's my daughter's PC, and I'd rather have her happiness, I'll take the safe route.

What started this is that the game that she LOVES looks like crap and is almost unplayable on her PC currently. So, the reason it looks horrendous is because of the stock GPU (or lack-there-of) that it came with. It recommended the older GeForce 210 series. Fine, no problem. But of course, once you upgrade one area, it starts a chain-reaction. The only reason that I'm still trying to follow through with this is because all the upgrades are fairly dirt cheap and I thought it'd be fun (which it is). Another main reason for upgrading to a 64-bit system is so I can utilize 4 GB of RAM and more.

32 bit OS can use 3.5GB of the 4GB RAM. This originally came with 3GB RAM. Sure you have 4 GB now? Original PSU is 250W, which won't allow much in the way of GPC. Probably a dual rail too, so might could run a GPU that tops out at 80W if you devote one rail completely to the GPC. This is not a gaming computer, but if the game is not an action game but board game like chutes and ladders, then not that much power is needed for it.

She's been infatuated with Minecraft for a year or so now. She has it on ipod, my iPad, and the PS3. She's been wanting it on PC now because of all the available mods, and plus, the PC version is slightly different according to her.

And yes, if I made it seem like it was 4 GB of RAM, than I misspoke. I understand that with the current state of the system, it only uses a little over 3 GB. Which, again, me being the way I am, I'd rather her have a little head-room. But I also understand that Minecraft doesn't seem to be a game that's "RAM-hungry".

Re: the GPU and PSU, I just went off what both the HP website said as well as the Minecraft recommended requirements, and came up with what would be compatible upgrades.

I don't want to get all IT White Coat on you here but 32 bit apps without "special" compile switches run in a 2GB space. https://www.google.com/#q=64+bit+minecraft shows you have a little extra work to get it to 64 bit and more RAM.

HOWEVER the speed I've seen is highly dependent on the GPU. Even a dual core 2 is usually enough but the GPU matters. The 610 is about as low as it goes. I'd want better.

Love it! Ha! No worries here. I'm not a snob in sense of the word when it comes to this stuff, so I welcome any and all criticism and information! I know you weren't criticizing, but what I'm saying is I love learning about this stuff, and I love trying to find ways to modify what I already have in order to save some money and make it work.

So, what I gather from glossing over the link you included is that it's a bit of a hassle using 64-bit Java and running Minecraft in a 64-bit environment?

GPU: Honestly, I just went with what they recommended on the Minecraft website (GeForce 2xx Series). So I researched and bought a low-end GeForce 210. Yes, I'm sure most will scoff at this, but again, just trying to get by for a year or so until she get's an upgrade (aka hand-me-down) from another family member.

Figure zero to single digit % gains in frame rate. How do I know? BTDT.

Your 100 bucks for the 64 bit OS could get double digit gains by sticking with 32 bit but a few uplevels on the GPU. Try the 5450 (hey, that's under 30 bucks here) and my fav for no power supply changes is the 2GB Nvidia 750. Now there is one caveat to the 750. Some rare HP's don't boot with the 750. I can't find that issue with yours but if you buy one, get it on Amazon Prime so you can return it.

Great info on the 64-bit (very limited) gains. Thanks!

But my main question is this.... I understand that stepping up GPU a few levels will help out, which is cool and still something I'll think about. However, since I already ordered the 210, will that get the job done sufficiently?

Gamers I know, well, it's a step in the right direction.

I totally hear you. None of us are huge gamers. (Although, truth be told I probably would be if I had the time -- with 3 daughters and a wife, I stay busy.) When I mentioned I built my own PC rig before, it's a beast for sure, but it's strictly for audio recording & production, with some video editing on the side. So, the approach was totally different. For our (her) use, I just want the 210 to serve its purpose. And if she dives a lot deeper into the gamer's 'world', I will be more than happy to take on the project of building her a gamer's PC.