Upgrading from XP 32bit to Windows 7 64

[Tigjaw]

Hi guys,
It's been a while since I built this computer (in sig), back then I bought windows xp and happily dodged Windows Vista - sticking to the ever faithful windows xp 32bit.
Now however, that I am able to get Windows 7 from Uni for free I've decided its time for the upgrade. Can't resist a bargain!

Of course that brings up a few issues, compatability for a start. I'm assuming that all my hardware components are compatable seeing as they're hardly three years old. But if anyone can confirm that I'd be greatful. I've read a bit about software compatability but it seems that compatability is less of an issue now...right?

Also I was wondering if I get the 64bit version I presume I'll have to do a complete clean reinstall? While that is a slight pain as I've only recently done a clean boot I can deal with it.

But for the fun part; with 64bit I understand that I can enjoy up to 8GB of RAM. My current RAM is 2GB of PC6400. It is also my understanding that my motherboard can handle up to PC8500 but I'm not entirely sure, I can check the manual again when I get home to confirm.
I was considering if it would be worth replacing my 2GB of RAM in order to get 8GB of faster RAM? Or should I simply add onto my current RAM?

Forgive all my questions, I've been out of the upgrading/overclocking/building loop for a while now.

I can supply more detailed info on my rig when I get home if required, I may just do so anyway for convenience' sake.

Hope I'm making the right choice with windows 7, I've heard pretty good things so far.

Many thanks in advance,
Regards,
Josh

PS: I apologise if this should have been posted in the hardware forum, I know it's quite a mix of topics but the overriding subject is of ''windows & other software''.

EDIT: Another issue I've just considered... I've overclocked my CPU and in the process altered the clockings on my RAM. How does this effect me if I want to insert more RAM?

 

[redeye_uk]

Your hardware will happily run a 64 bit OS

Depending on which version of Windows 7 you have it can either support a maximum of 16Gb (Home Premium) or 128Gb (professional)

I am assuming you current RAM is 2 x 1GB? If so then I would probably buy some new RAM. 2 x 2gb should be plently (thats assuming you use your computer for gaming and surfing the web)

 

[derkaderka]

Do the best of both worlds

Dual boot , keep your Xp32 bit , and install win7 to another partition
that way you can choose which to use at boot

 

[Tigjaw]

Your hardware will happily run a 64 bit OS

Depending on which version of Windows 7 you have it can either support a maximum of 16Gb (Home Premium) or 128Gb (professional)

I am assuming you current RAM is 2 x 1GB? If so then I would probably buy some new RAM. 2 x 2gb should be plently (thats assuming you use your computer for gaming and surfing the web)

Ooo wow, well I have Windows 7 x64 Professional, so if I can find 4 x 32GB RAM I'll snap 'em up! hehe.

Yes you are correct by the way, I forgot to mention, my current setup is 2x1Gb and the computer is used for gaming, surfing and whatever work I'll be doing for uni.

So you don't think it's worth the extra money to buy new RAM to reach my computer's capacity?

Do the best of both worlds

Dual boot , keep your Xp32 bit , and install win7 to another partition
that way you can choose which to use at boot

I was considering this but there's a few problems.
1. I've never set up a dual boot.
2. I've got 2 HDDs:

• 160Gb WD (old and slow) and empty at the moment but contains my page file.
• 300Gb 'raptor (new and fast) - contains two partitions, one for system and one for documents.

So I'd still have to mess with my current configuration to do set up a dual boot.

 

[Spinal2k2]

almost a similar setup to mine except i have a x1900 and 1tb samsung drive.

Ive got Win 7 HP x64 installed on mine and it runs fine, runs quicker than XP aswell. Setup as dual boot as i still nedd XP to use my alps printers.

The only prob i think is the older ATi card use legacy ati drivers.

Next upgrade i will be getting is to upgrade to 4gb of ram.

 

[BassPwr]

It's not as simple as what the OS supports regarding RAM.

You need to look up what your motherboard is and check the specifications and how much RAM it supports, there is usually a much lower limit on most cheaper consumer mobos.

 

[stephentw]

Sorry for hijacking but I think my question is relevant to this thread too. I've read an article (this one) that says the only valid upgrade path is from Vista and other than that you've broken the licence terms and have an illegal install.

I'm curious if this is poor reporting or true? I have 32bit XP also and want to use upgrade media (not bought yet) but do a clean install (not a fan of installing an OS over another one without formatting first).

This seems to be a bit of a grey area, can anyone clarify if my OEM copy of XP will qualify for upgrade? And if since I have a legit XP I'm ok to clean install without installing over the top of XP.

 

[Tigjaw]

It's not as simple as what the OS supports regarding RAM.

You need to look up what your motherboard is and check the specifications and how much RAM it supports, there is usually a much lower limit on most cheaper consumer mobos.

My mobo manual says:

• 4 DDR II DIMM memory slots (supports up to 8GB memory)
• Supports dual channel DDR II 800/667/533 unbuffered DIMMs
• Supports 1.8v DDR II DIMMs

its a GA-965P-DS3 (Rev. 1002)

EDIT: Another issue I've just considered... I've overclocked my CPU and in the process altered the clockings on my RAM. How does this effect me if I want to insert more RAM?

 

[Ricochet J]

You will not got drivers for your x1800xt. ATI are being gay about it.

 

[Spinal2k2]

You will not got drivers for your x1800xt. ATI are being gay about it.

ive got ATi drivers installed on my X1900.

ATi class them as legacy drivers and when i downloaded them listed cards like the X1800 etc.

I'll be looking to get a new gfx card that is fully compt with Win7 - but performance wise im not sure what current ati/nvidia cards are equal to the x1900 to use as a starting point for a new card.

 

[SlugForAButt]

Do the best of both worlds

Dual boot , keep your Xp32 bit , and install win7 to another partition
that way you can choose which to use at boot

Can't see the point. Win 7 64 bit has pleasantly surprised me.
Nothing I can't run on it with the right drivers.
I'm running Rome Total War (2004) on it with no issues at all, Clear Sky (2009) with no issues at all.
I was very wary before I upgraded, I had loads of ideas like dual booting and different drives for each OS etc. But now I've installed it, there's no need.
Obviously, I'm not going to be able to play "Leisure Suit Larry In The Land Of The Lounge Lizards" on Win7 64 bit, but I couldn't on XP either.
Win 7 64 bit with 6Gb ram is fkin sharp and snappy on the desktop and seems to open and close games sooo fast.
Seems to me that I've got it right and moved to 64 bit just as it is working for the masses. Also, think how many more people will be using it in a couple of years because it comes free with 32 bit Win7. You can try it and realise it won't give you lung cancer without forking out more money. Suddenly, 64 bit will be the way to go.

Go for it man, get 4Gb more RAM for £40 and go Win7 64bit. You won't look back!

 

[Tigjaw]

Cheers slug for the encouragement

I'm about ready to do it now, but I still need to know if my altered RAM setttings will affect me if I want to install more RAM. eek. Will I need to remove my overclock and perhaps reset my BIOS settings for CPU and RAM etc..?

 

[laffs83]

Sorry for hijacking but I think my question is relevant to this thread too. I've read an article (this one) that says the only valid upgrade path is from Vista and other than that you've broken the licence terms and have an illegal install.

I'm curious if this is poor reporting or true? I have 32bit XP also and want to use upgrade media (not bought yet) but do a clean install (not a fan of installing an OS over another one without formatting first).

This seems to be a bit of a grey area, can anyone clarify if my OEM copy of XP will qualify for upgrade? And if since I have a legit XP I'm ok to clean install without installing over the top of XP.

I did the same, its fine. I bought, and downloaded the upgrade version from Microsoft website. Burned the ISO and formatted HDD from setup and installed with no problems. Very easy.

I opted for Windows 7 x64 so could not upgrade from 32bit XP anyway. You have to do clean install as you can not open the x64 upgrade setup program from within 32bit XP.

Also regarding the legality, if you check the Microsoft store it clearly states you can upgrade from XP, as long as you are installing the same type, i.e. 32 or 64 bit.

 

[SlugForAButt]

Cheers slug for the encouragement

I'm about ready to do it now, but I still need to know if my altered RAM setttings will affect me if I want to install more RAM. eek. Will I need to remove my overclock and perhaps reset my BIOS settings for CPU and RAM etc..?

Overclocking is independant of OS and is purely hardware dependant (as long as you aren't running OC software in Windows).
Stick with your overclock, stick with 800Mhz ram and you'll be fine.

 

[Tigjaw]

Overclocking is independant of OS and is purely hardware dependant (as long as you aren't running OC software in Windows).
Stick with your overclock, stick with 800Mhz ram and you'll be fine.

I'm not sure what you mean...my overclock will be reverted back to factory settings after installing a new OS?
Or the new RAM will simply automatically match the current OC settings?

 

[bledd]

I'd just buy a 2x 2gb stick set for now

at the moment, the leap from 4gb to 8gb isn't really justifiable, unless you're running multiple virtual machines

I had 8gb for a few months, and went back to 4gb

 

[Tigjaw]

I contacted overclockers customer support about my overclocking problem, here's my initial email:

I recieved Windows 7 64bit Professional from my university but was interested in
installing it but I wanted to take advantage of the extra RAM capacity it offers.

I currently have 2GB of PC2-6400 of GSkill RAM and was considering buying some more
RAM to reach my current maximum of 6GB.

However, as I have overclocked my CPU and changed my RAM timings I was wondering how
that would affect me? Can I just install the new RAM without any problems or do I
need to change/modify anything first?

This is also assuming that my X1800XT graphics card and Gigabit DS3 (rev.1)
motherboard are compatible with Windows 7 64bit.

The reply was:

The simple truth is; if you have an overclocked CPU and you want to insert more RAM
into the system, you have to choose between the OC'd CPU or the extra RAM. As the
extra RAM wouldn't allow for their to be an overclock on the CPU...

So obviously, you have to make a decision on what you want your system to be for
mainly, if it's a gaming system go for the extra CPU power, if you're looking to use
programs like the Adobe suite more often than most, then go for the extra RAM,
really.

I hope this helps you and thanks for the web note.

I'm lost... Does this mean if I install some new RAM I can not keep my overclock or ever overclock my CPU? Or does this mean I will have to remove the overclock prior to installing the new RAM and then put the overclock back in place afterward? Or neither of the above?

 

[SlugForAButt]

I'd just buy a 2x 2gb stick set for now

at the moment, the leap from 4gb to 8gb isn't really justifiable, unless you're running multiple virtual machines

I had 8gb for a few months, and went back to 4gb

But a jump from 2Gb to 6/8Gb is noticeably beneficial if you're running 64bit. Especially with the low price of ram.

 

[Tigjaw]

I'm happy to go to 6GB, it's a nice jump from 2GB so I'm not too bothered about replacing my current RAM in order to reach 8GB.

I just need to get to the bottom of this overclock issue now, surely there are people here that have bought new RAM to be installed into their already overclocked system?