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In his wisdom my son decided to take M$'s offer of Win7 for £30 but chose the 64bit version - his laptop is 64bit capable but existing Vista is 32bit. He's downloaded the upgrade, got his key etc. but because he's going from 32bit to 64bit this needs a clean install. not an upgrade. The FAQs say that a clean install is the way to go, but that implies that the downloaded upgrade .exe can also be used to do a clean install. Has anyone done this successfully or should we go back to Digital River & say we screwed up the order?
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us..."
as an upgrade i believe it will do a clean install without issues.
however i think 32 bit to 64 bit will fail,you can try but recieve an error message "This version of the file is not compatible with the Windows it is being executed on. According to your computer's system properties determine which version of the software you need x86(32bit) or x64(64bit) then contact the software developer."i would create a new partition and install 7 on the new partition, you will have a dual boot, easy transfer and if your happy you can then lose vista 32 bit at what ever time you desire.
i hate computers!
but cant help myself....
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Yes, that's the problem I foresaw - 32bit to 64bit is a definite no-no, it was the issue as to whether an upgrade can be used for a clean install. In the 'old' days, it was a case of booting from the upgrade disk and, at some point, inserting a valid prior version to let the 'upgrade' continue, but I wasn't sure how it works with Vista/Win7 upgrades, especially as it's an OEM with only recovery disks for Vista - not program disks. Anyone actually done this operation?
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us..."
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Your son is a student: he must have one or two friends he can borrow a Windows 7 (x86 or x64) media from, have him do that. I think it's unfortunate that participating vendors like Digital River only allow either x86 or x64 downloads but not both, unlike the digital downloads available directly from M$' online stores.
You can also contact Digital River to see if you could redownload the OS in 32-Bit version instead of the 64-Bit that he inadvertently downloaded. If they are able to do that, go for it. If they are not, you need to pursue the "media borrowing" option, since the Windows 7 Student Promotion comes with no refunds. Tough caveat, but for $30.00, it's too good an offer to pass up IMHO.
There's also a guide online on how to make the files from Digital River's download into an ISO, in case of a DVD backup, but why bother with that when you can torrent the ISO & use your legally obtained license to validate your installation.
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Thanks for reply Sabertooth. I've got a retail copy of Premium myself so that's not the problem, it's whether the activation key is only for upgrade versions or will it work on a clean version install?
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us..."
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johnr -
Did you receive the error messaghe 'We are unable to create or save new files in the folder in which this application was downloaded
If so read THIS. M$ & Digital River acknowledged there is a problem...
i_Xp/VistaUser
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Thanks for the link XP/Vista (Win7?) user. We did initially get that message, but I did find a quick workaround (I copied the 3 files to an external drive & ran them from there), thet's when we got to the 32bit/64bit problem. Shall use the tookit to create an .iso anyway & then if I don't hear anything definite might go ahead, backup & try a clean install - nothing much to lose as can always reinstall Vista to get us back to the starting point. Shall report back anyway (though not for a few days as we're a few hundred miles from home at the moment....)
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us..."
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1. Regarding the Vista 32bit to Win7 64bit, I believe jefro posted the info for you in the wrong thread (see Response Number 3). It does address the issue.
2. Regarding Digital River fiasco, Windows Seven Forum recently posted the fix for it at the link below.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...
Hope all of this will help you :-)i_Xp/VistaUser
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Thanks for the posts, I think it's going to be a case of 'try it & see' as far as the .iso fix is concerned - shall post back.
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us..."
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johnr,
Why even bother?
As stated: you have a retail copy of Premium. Just have him use his legally acquired license for his Premium installation using your media or make him a backup copy to use for his clean install. The key is good for upgrades, as well as clean installs; which is what M$ prefers anyway to ensure a smooth running OS.
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That was the answer I was looking for Sabertooth. As long as the upgrade key activates a clean install that's what we need. Shall give it a go on our return.
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us..."
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I hope you have not yet opened the retail box. If you have not, return it for refund.
Microsoft’s ISO Image for Windows 7 Now Available
There is additional information regarding the Windows 7 64-bit download process. For those customers of the Student Offer, who wish to install the 64-bit version of Windows 7, but are currently running a 32-bit Operating System, there is now an optional downloadable ISO file of Windows 7 64-bit to allow for install.If you have already purchased the 64-bit version of Windows 7 from the Windows 7 Student Offer Online Store, please contact Digital River at the following link:
http://windows7.digitalriver.com/se...
In the Web form select the Download Option in the drop down menu and include "64-bit Windows 7 Solution" in the first line of your problem description.
i_Xp/VistaUser
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The retail box is aleready opened & installed on my laptop - it's the Digital River download that was the 32bit to 64bit query - shall send the Window Solution query & see what happens, thanks for the link.
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us..."
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The Windows 7 Student Promotion comes with no refunds, because the product license is what you're purchasing & not so much the media content.
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That's the point, we've got the licence but just want to know if we can use the licence to do a clean install or are we limited because it was purchased as an 'upgrade'? - my brain is starting to hurt!... ;-(
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us..."
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Don't over-analyze the situation ... you/your son can use the license key you purchased for a clean-install. QED!
1
Follow-up. Downloaded the iso provided & it's essentially a full version of Win7. Booted from it, removed old partitioning & it clean installed with the activation key, no problem. One 'other device' driver but everything else seems to work fine, so one happy bunny here. thanks again for all input.
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us..."
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johnr,
I had this issue with Vista. I contacted MS and they instructed me to do a hack to make the upgrade a clean install full version. Yes, MS told me how.
This should also apply to Win 7 as well...
You do a full format.
After the format, insert the Win 7 disc.
Let it run BUT SKIP THE product key and do not apply it. Just click "next."
Then when the entire installation is complete, go into "Computer" and do it over (double click the drive the installation disc is on and start all over, yes, I know it is long and annoying). THEN...
When the section comes up for the product key, enter it and continue on and allow installation to finish.
You will need to activate windows by clicking the little icon down by the clock.
Click it, activate it and you are done.
Hence, you will have a FULL version of Win 7.I do believe that it will work like that for Win 7 as it did for Vista. It cannot hurt to do it.
Please let me know how it worked out.
Viv
Never enter a battle of wits with an unarmed person...
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Installing as I described in post #16 gave a clean full install with no 'hack' required. I think Vista was a law unto itself so you can't really pass on its foibles to Win7.
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us..."
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