Help upgrading to 64 bit

Question

I did some searching but didn't find exactly what I was looking for. I just got finished requesting my Vista 64 bit upgrade dvd from tech support, and am now looking for how to actually go about doing the upgrade itself. The tech warned me that the dvd won't come with any instructions, so I'm going to be on my own and I've never installed or upgraded an os before.

I am also considering upgrading my hard drive. Would this be a good time to do the upgrade, or will it make the process that much more complicated?

Ideally, I would like a fresh install of Vista 64 on a brand new drive. I don't have any software or programs that I need to hang on to so I don't care what I will lose in the process. Everything I need can just be re-downloaded later. How would I go about doing this in regards to drivers though? Would I have to download all the drivers I am going to need now to be ready for future use and then transfer them to a disc, or what?

As you can see, I am somewhat lost. Help!

C3PO5 · Answer

Hi

You can not upgrade 32 to 64 bit it has to be a clean install only !!

Your best bet is to download all of the drivers you need and burn them

to a CD or have them on a pin drive .

You will have to supply the sata driver so windows can see

the drive to install on !

You will see a screen that says the driver options to install the sata driver,

then you can format the driver or you can do a custom

install and you will have a windows.old folder to get your files like pictures music

personal data from inside of it.

Other than that it is not hard to install Vista 64 bit and have it work right !

And you can not use the Vista 32 bit disc to install as a second OS that as been

brought up before by the Dell moderators !!

Good Luck

JDookie · Answer

Okay, so, other than downloading all of the necessary drivers and burning them to a disc, is there anything else I need to do prior to installing the new drive and attempting to install the new operating system?

Keep in mind that I don't need to transfer anything from the old drive to the new one. All I want is a bare bones install of Vista x64 on a brand new drive.

I plan on burning the drivers for the following: Video card, sound card, and network card. Anything else I would need to get up and running so I can start downloading the rest?

Step by step instructions would really be appreciated if someone could take the time.

Thanks.

SR45 · Answer

Remove old drive

Install new SATA drive

Remove all but two gigs of memory

Insert and install Vista 64 bit ( Hopefully with SP-1 with the memory hotfix included )

Install windows Vista completely

Turn off system, install the other two sticks of memory

Install 64 bit drivers from this Dell XPS 410 driver download site

Important will be the ChipSet driver

Any printer that you have should have the 64 bit driver downloaded from the manufacture

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?os=WV64&osl=EN&catid=-1&impid=-1&servicetag=&SystemID=DIM_PNT_9200_XPS_410&hidos=WW1&hidlang=en&TabIndex=

Download Microsofts Critical updates

Install all the other stuff

JDookie · Answer

SR45,

Thank you for the step by step, it was much appreciated.

So, how about what the previous member mentioned about a SATA driver prior to installation of the new operating system? Will Vista automatically recognize the new drive or will I have to install a driver prior to installation?

SR45 · Answer

Vista recognized my new SATA hard drive during install, no problems to report.  No drivers needed.  Hope this helps

JDookie · Answer

Thank you!

spotteddog · Answer

SR45,

I plan to install Vista HP SP1 64x sometime later this week.

I had asked in earlier thread (I can't find the thread right now :smileysad: , but I think it was MoneyGuyBK ) about pulling RAM for the install.

I was told that if I am installing SP1, I don't need to pull 2GB of my RAM. That was supposed to have been fixed with SP1 and I could leave all my RAM in with no problems for the install.

Spott

XPS 410
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (soon to be 64x)
BIOS 2.5.3
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
4GB DDR2-PC5300 @667Mhz
Nvidia Geforce 8600GTS
2x250 GB WD Sata II HDD'S 7200 rpm (Raid 0 Array)
1xSeagate SATA 120GB(non-RAID)
HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GSA-H31N
SoundBlaster X-Fi XtremeMusic
SP2208WFP
KIS 8, Verizon FiOS

Davet50 · Answer

With SP1 you should not need to pull the 2 gigs. I would try it with it installed. If it doesn't work then just pull it. I believe it will as the necessary kb updates that were required to get vista to work with 4 gigs were rolled up into SP1.

I just got through reinstalling my x64 with out sp1 and as soon as I got sp1 installed I pop in my extra 2 and all is well..

spotteddog · Answer

Thanks, Dave. I'll try it first without pulling the RAM. No big deal about pulling the RAM and starting the install over if it fails. I just didn't want to waste time, if it were 100% absolutely necessary.

Thanks,

Spott

SR45 · Answer

With mine, a none Dell system, I had to pull the 2 gigs out first.  Unknown why but for some you have to, some have issues even having 4 gigs or more installed without the run around with pulling the memory first.  If you can do this, let us know for others to be aware of.

spotteddog · Answer

SR45,

Is the worst that could happen is that I get a BSOD while installing the OS? I guess then I would pull half my RAM and start the install over? Right?

I'll post back to this thread after I try. My DVD is supposed to arrive today or tomorrow.

Thanks

Spott

JDookie · Answer

As an update, I just ordered a new WD Caviar Black 1TB drive for the new os install. After reading all the threads concerning pulling out half the memory, I think I will do that just to be on the safe side, and hope all goes well. Now all I need is the dvd and the drive, and I'm good to go.

At least, if all else fails, I can always stick my original 80GB drive back in that I'm using now sine it will virtually be untouched.

SR45 · Answer

Posted a question about the SP-1 OS and 4 gigs of ram on the eVGA forum and so far got a double answer, one of which you should not have to pull two gigs out and others say yes you do. I'm waiting for more proof one way or the other, or maybe I should take the plunge and just try it myself, but I just loaded Vista SP-1 yesterday so it maybe a no go.

As far as getting a BSOD and then pulling out 2 gigs and try again question, some have done so successfully and others still had glitches.

On the new Microsoft Blog where one can submit questions or suggest things for the new Windows 7 coming out in 2010, I suggested very strongly that they should get their head out of the sand and make it easier to just install windows 64 bit OS with any amount of ram without going through so much trouble. Bet they won't listen to me nor anyone else. They do not do simple stuff but make it goofy for us all....

SR45 · Answer

OK, just reinstalled windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit with the SP-1 included and 8 gigs of memory.  All went well, and the systems memory is being fully addressed.  That is now the answer to your question as well as mine.

spotteddog · Answer

I'm back.

Here's mine:

Just finished installing Vista HP 64x SP1. The install crashed almost immediately. :smileymad:

I removed 2 GB of RAM, restarted and everything went OK.

Put my RAM back after going online to get updates. Shows as 3.93 Total Physical Memory. 4GB Physically Installed.

I have 2/3's of my apps reinstalled.

Started out bad, but once I got it going, the install ran fine.

I wonder why some people have to pull the RAM and others don't.

Spott

XPS 410
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64x
BIOS 2.5.3
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
4GB DDR2-PC5300 @667Mhz
Nvidia Geforce 8600GTS
2x250 GB WD Sata II HDD'S 7200 rpm (Raid 0 Array)
1xSeagate SATA 120GB(non-RAID)
HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GSA-H31N
SoundBlaster X-Fi XtremeMusic
SP2208WFP
KIS 8, Verizon FiOS

Message Edited by spotteddog on 08-19-2008 07:30 PM

Windows General

Help upgrading to 64 bit

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