Windows 7 32bit RAM

Banjo Sandwich · 12 Mar 2012 at 11:48

Hi all,

Silly question but i am running windows 7 32bit and i have 8gb of ram in my laptop...

Is my system even utilising the other 4gb of RAM or should i re-format and install 64bit?

If i go to 64bit would i experience problems, i use the machine for gaming, MS office, lighting calculation software...

KIA · 12 Mar 2012 at 12:09

Install 64bit. You might want to check hardware compatibility beforehand. The majority of software will run without a hitch.

hp7909 · 12 Mar 2012 at 12:17

As above, 32-bit can't use beyond 4GB.

If a fairly new machine/hardware you shouldn't have any issues getting x64 drivers besides Windows 7 is more versatile especially in running older or non 64-bit software

Banjo Sandwich · 12 Mar 2012 at 13:41

Can you upgrade to 64bit without losing all my install, music, photos, etc...

How do i install 64bit when i got the laptop it had 32 bit installed and it asked me to create a disc back up thing...

cmndr_andi · 12 Mar 2012 at 13:46

Unfortunaely, no.

If you want to upgrade to 64 bit then you need to do a clean install - so you will need to backup everything important before re-installing.

As for how to re-install, do you have a retail or OEM 64bit install disk? If not you could ask the laptop maker for one.

Banjo Sandwich · 12 Mar 2012 at 14:16

cmndr_andi said:
Unfortunaely, no.

If you want to upgrade to 64 bit then you need to do a clean install - so you will need to backup everything important before re-installing.

As for how to re-install, do you have a retail or OEM 64bit install disk? If not you could ask the laptop maker for one.

So back up all my music, photos, setups files, films, etc...

It didnt come with an install disc, it was pre-installed and asked me to create a disk when i started the computer up known as a recovery disc...

Is there anyway you can download a copy of windows 7 64bit by qouting your licence number?

reflux · 12 Mar 2012 at 14:19

Banjo Sandwich said:
Is there anyway you can download a copy of windows 7 64bit by qouting your licence number?

Yes, here. Just choose which flavour you want. You will need your W7 license key.

cmndr_andi · 12 Mar 2012 at 14:20

You can legally download it (for use with your existing code) using the links here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-7-download-links-just-like-vista-before.html

Banjo Sandwich · 12 Mar 2012 at 14:34

reflux said:
Yes, here. Just choose which flavour you want. You will need your W7 license key.

is this one legal?

cmndr_andi · 12 Mar 2012 at 14:40

Banjo Sandwich said:
is this one legal?

Yea, it's the same source - just presented differently.

Digital river is a fully legal company that distributes software for big companies like microsoft, adobe, autodesk and many more.

Banjo Sandwich · 12 Mar 2012 at 14:42

i am bit confused with the link, it says i should use this program if i have an OEM installed software?

I have never reformatted a machine before without a disc...

usually i press F# then just re-format... i presume with a exe.file i just run the file and it begins the re-format/64bit install?

reflux · 12 Mar 2012 at 14:42

-delete-

cmndr_andi · 12 Mar 2012 at 14:53

I'm not sure about the .exe files, but both of those pages have links to .iso files. These files can be downloaded and burnt onto a DVD or USB stick, and then used like a normal windows disk.

Banjo Sandwich · 12 Mar 2012 at 15:07

cmndr_andi said:
I'm not sure about the .exe files, but both of those pages have links to .iso files. These files can be downloaded and burnt onto a DVD or USB stick, and then used like a normal windows disk.

I get you...

What's the best Free DVD ripping software?

cmndr_andi · 12 Mar 2012 at 15:18

For burning an .iso to a DVD, I use imgburn

Also, if you want to use a USB stick instead of a disk, I used this app and it was great (should work fine with the .iso file).

Banjo Sandwich · 12 Mar 2012 at 15:22

cmndr_andi said:
For burning an .iso to a DVD, I use imgburn

Also, if you want to use a USB stick instead of a disk, I used this app and it was great (should work fine with the .iso file).

Out of interest would there be any benefit over the disc/usb?

Sp00n · 12 Mar 2012 at 15:24

Installing from USB will probably be quicker.

Banjo Sandwich · 12 Mar 2012 at 15:26

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER THEN!

usb iso it is and back up everything on to external drive and hopefully i should see a difference in my laptop...

With respect to drivers, should windows 7 take care most of the essentials?

cmndr_andi · 12 Mar 2012 at 15:27

The speed should be around the same, maybe a bit quicker for the USB if you have a fast stick. The main advantage is probably that you can format the USB stick after you are done, while with write-once DVD you can't (and rewritable DVDs are much slower).

Just make sure you set the boot device priority to the USB stick from within the BIOS.

As for drivers, the laptop manufacturer should provide drivers on their website that you can download. Probably best to download these before you do the re-install.

Banjo Sandwich · 12 Mar 2012 at 15:32

cmndr_andi said:
The speed should be around the same, maybe a bit quicker for the USB if you have a fast stick. The main advantage is probably that you can format the USB stick after you are done, while with write-once DVD you can't (and rewritable DVDs are much slower).

Just make sure you set the boot device priority to the USB stick from within the BIOS.

As for drivers, the laptop manufacturer should provide drivers on their website that you can download. Probably best to download these before you do the re-install.

I recall that my laptop had an automatic driver updater, the ASUS laptop appeared to have so many drivers and i was a bit confused which ones i needed...

can you cause harm by installing a driver for something you dont have?