Upgrade to Windows 7 64-bit Edition

You should remove your Service Tag (as it is a violation of the rules) and instead state the model of your system. (Studio Desktop 540)

Your system has 64 bit Windows 7 drivers here so an upgrade should be feasible. Install the following drivers in the order:

Intel Video R231304

ATI Video R226382 or latest version from the ATI website

Conexant R204990, R139937 & R177997

Realtek Ethernet R230961 & R230966 

Realtek Audio R230963

Intel Matrix Storage Manager R235596 & R235659 

You have 4 GB of RAM so that should be okay but you will be able to maximise your RAM to 8 GB once you install the 64 bit OS ($100 -2×4 GB kits here).

For performing a clean install of Windows 7 follow my guide below using the above drivers. Try and use an .iso file or DVD which Service Pack 1 included to install Windows 7. You will need to purchase an upgrade/retail product key however.

You MUST do a clean install of window and version of Windows X64. There is no other choice. So your best bet is to to a complete backup of all your files and data. Get out all of the your program disks that you have for your system as you will need to reinstall all the programs. Also be aware that any Dell installed programs you have unless you have the disk will be gone. Also be aware that if you are under warranty Dell will not support your system unless you return it to the as shipped condition.

I would also offer this as a added help You could pick up another harddrive to install Win 7 on and leave the Vista on your original drive. This would give you the advantage of either setting up a Dual boot situation where you can boot into either operating system. I have done this for every windows upgrade I have done. The big advantage is you can have access to all your files and folders and can do a bit of copy and paste to get the files from one OS to the Other.

Many thanks for your quick and helpful response.  I'm sorry about the Service Tag error - how do I remove it from the message in this forum?

Hello kencoburn, You should be able to upgrade to Windows 7 x64, but you would be required to perform a fresh install, since the drivers for the Windows 7 x64 would not let your perform a regular upgrade.

You can backup your data, and insert the Windows 7 x64 disk in the optical drive, boot the system and let the upgrade proceed.

I wouldsuggest deleting the current partition and create a new partition, format the new partition and continue with the installation.

Select the green pencil beside your post (this allows you to edit your post).

For what it's worth, the 32-bit edition is quite adequate and is less demanding for memory.

With 4 GB of RAM I would go for the 64 bit one,

Must of been a typo sorry. However you have the correct driver.

I have downloaded the Windows 7 64-bit drivers.  However, one of the links (Realtek Audio R230965) points to R230963).  Is this a typo or should I be looking for R230965?

Intel Video R231304

Conexant R139937, R177997 & R231304

Thanks for clarifying the Realtec Audio driver link.  I also noticed that the R231304 driver is listed for both the Intel Video and Conexant drivers. Is that correct?

Sorry I made a mistake.

Its R231304 for the Intel driver.

Its R204990, R139937 & R177997 for the Conexant driver.

Run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to find out what will work and what will need to removed or updated. Just get the drivers that are indicated by the Advisor. Very few should be needed since Win 7 has most drivers. BTW, even if you install the 32 bit version--which is fine for 4 GB--you need to do a clean install. Vista has too many bugs to install win 7 as an upgrade. You can use the upgrade disk, but you must follow the directions for a Custom install with format here-- windows.microsoft.com/.../Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows-7 Do not format or remove vista before you boot to the install disk and choose Custom installation. The Custom install will check for eligibility, partition the disk and install Win 7.

Mary, I upgraded my Vista x64 Ultimate to Windows 7 and the upgrade went off without a hitch. And, in the event of a clean install, there should be no need to reformat the disk unless more partitions are needed, as Windows 7 will automatically archive the old operating system into separate folders.

Vista may have been buggy in its early days, but it has since become stable.

As for a clean install of 7 64-bit, most drivers should be present on the install disc.