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Resolved Question

Win 7 upgrade from vista

Aug 26, 2011 11:42AM PDT

I purchased the Windows 7 upgrade for multiple compluters. I accidentally loaded the 32 bit disc on my 64 bit laptop. There seem to be a lot of issues with windows 7 on this laptop. Can I install the 64 bit on top of the 32 or doesn't it matter between the two? I understand that it takes more memory to run the 64 bit. yes? Can you uninstall the 32 bit version. I understand that the W 7 upgrade builds on the vista platform. What a mess.

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Best Answer

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There is no upgrade process from 32 to 64 or 64 to 32.
Aug 26, 2011 11:55AM PDT

I found Windows 7 32 to run just as well as 64 on 2GB RAM so I have always installed the 64 bit version.

Which laptop? Maybe there are drivers to install?
Bob

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My experiences on 64 bit with 2GB RAM is
Aug 27, 2011 2:20AM PDT

Positive. I can guess there is some debate about it but here it works just as well and I don't have to fret about wiping out the install if I install more RAM.

Plan ahead.
Bob

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Answer
Answer
Aug 26, 2011 12:10PM PDT

The register is a small amount of storage used by the CPU where the CPU
keeps the data it needs to access the quickest in order for optimum
computer performance. The bit designation refers to the width of the
register, thus a 64-bit register can hold more data than a 32-bit
register which in turn holds more than 16-bit and 8-bit registers. The
more ample the space in the CPU's register system the more it can
handle, especially in terms of utilizing system memory. A CPU with a
32-bit register, for example, has a ceiling of 232 addresses
within the register and is thus limited to accessing 4GB of RAM. This
may have seemed like an enormous volume of RAM when they were hashing
out register sizes 40 years ago but it's a rather inconvenient limit for
modern computers.

You shouldnt see a degradation in performance installing 64bit on a 32bit machine. I'm assuming you, like many users these days (not meant with ill intent) dont bother installing manufaterer Chipset drivers anymore and thus use basically low end drivers from MS's database.

Configure your system properly with all the proper drivers. Learn what services and MS options to disable. Try not to use AERO if you dont need it and remember with the changes in Windows from the NT Kernal to Vista+ that you will always see 50% of your ram being utilitized no matter what. However dont worry about this. Most people also dont know that software runs from memory, not off your hard disk. So obviously the more memory the better but this is debatable in one perspective. Just throwing in memory is not the answer. How you throw in memory is.

For example you will get better performance from 2x 2GB sticks of RAM then 1x512 and 1 x1GB for example. Also, remember that your MOBO may only support 2GB, so research this first.

Last but not least, you can use USB keys to improve performance by utilizing for "speedburst" (in laymens terms)

I wouldnt suggest going to 64 just because, but if you have > 4GB of ram and are using software that takes advantage of 84bit architecture (rare). 32bit should, for the most part serve you fine.

What is your intended purpose including all future intended purposes?