Windows XP 32-bit to Windows 7 Professional 64-bit

Paddyw01

Paddyw01

Paddyw01

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Hey guys,

I came across a good deal (student deal) from MS where they did Windows 7 Professional Upgrade 64-bit for £80. Now, I have 32-bit Windows XP, so will this be alright to install? I'm only asking because the Windows 7 Professional is an upgrade version so I'm a little lost. :confused:

Thanks.
 
XP is a qualifying upgrade product, but you can't upgrade the existing installation to Win 7. Back your data up, set the installation running and pick the option to format the partition.
 
MagicBoy said:
XP is a qualifying upgrade product, but you can't upgrade the existing installation to Win 7. Back your data up, set the installation running and pick the option to format the partition.
Click to expand...


You've lost me a little mate :confused: if my version of XP is a qualifying upgrade edition, surely I could do a clean install, unless that's what you mean.
I'm a little thick sometimes :)
 
Windows 7 upgrade needs the old product installed before you can upgrade. The old system of doing a clean installation of say XP then sticking the Windows 98 CD in when prompted doesn't apply any more.

I fell into this trap when I built a new PC for my Dad. Installed Windows 7, which then refused to activate with a cryptic error. Error translated into something like "incorrect product code for this edition". I had to nuke the PC, install XP then install Windows 7 again to get it to activate.
 
You've lost me a little mate if my version of XP is a qualifying upgrade edition, surely I could do a clean install, unless that's what you mean.
I'm a little thick sometimes
Click to expand...



There is an journal HERE, on how to do a clean install using an upgrade copy of Win 7.
 
MagicBoy said:
Windows 7 upgrade needs the old product installed before you can upgrade. The old system of doing a clean installation of say XP then sticking the Windows 98 CD in when prompted doesn't apply any more.

I fell into this trap when I built a new PC for my Dad. Installed Windows 7, which then refused to activate with a cryptic error. Error translated into something like "incorrect product code for this edition". I had to nuke the PC, install XP then install Windows 7 again to get it to activate.
Click to expand...


Ah got you.

Step 1 - New SSD let's say, install XP.
Step 2 - Then install Windows 7 Professional.

Just wondering though, should I download XP service packs, updates etc, drivers, then install Windows 7, or can I just install XP, then literally Windows 7?


robinbredin said:
There is an journal HERE, on how to do a clean install using an upgrade copy of Win 7.
Click to expand...


Cheers mate :)
 
No need to patch XP up or install any drivers. I installed XP with SP2 (didn't activate it) then ran Windows 7 setup straight after after installation.
 
MagicBoy said:
No need to patch XP up or install any drivers. I installed XP with SP2 (didn't activate it) then ran Windows 7 setup straight after after installation.
Click to expand...


OK, but my edition of XP was bought (actually it came with a computer with it already installed on it) around 5-6 years ago, so that must have been around SP1 time, would this matter? I'm only asking because I recently installed my copy of XP (the one we're talking about) on my mum's computer, and I had to manually download XP SP2 on another computer as I could not setup a wireless connection to the internet to download all the drivers/updates needed. There was absolutely no mention of setting up a wireless connection anywhere. Basically, if I install XP, then 7 straight after, would 7 recognise a wireless USB adapter so I could download all necessary drivers and updates? It should do as it's the most up-to-date OS from MS, right?


billysielu said:
you can't upgrade from 32bit to 64bit, under any circumstances. it's a clean install only.
Click to expand...


That is true, but if I've understood Magicboy correctly, I'd need to install XP, then 7 straight after, but because 7 is 64 bit, it would necessitate a clean install and would automatically do it, even though it's an upgrade version. Am I right?
 
MagicBoy said:
Windows 7 upgrade needs the old product installed before you can upgrade. The old system of doing a clean installation of say XP then sticking the Windows 98 CD in when prompted doesn't apply any more.

I fell into this trap when I built a new PC for my Dad. Installed Windows 7, which then refused to activate with a cryptic error. Error translated into something like "incorrect product code for this edition". I had to nuke the PC, install XP then install Windows 7 again to get it to activate.
Click to expand...

You don't need to install XP. Win7 itself is a qualifying OS to upgrade from, even if not activated.

What does this mean? You can achieve the same thing as installing XP then installing 7, by installing 7 twice. 7 can be installed without a key, in which case you get 30 days to activate it (but for our purposes, we just need it there so we can install 7 again).
 
FoxEye said:
7 can be installed without a key, in which case you get 30 days to activate it (but for our purposes, we just need it there so we can install 7 again).
Click to expand...
Have you tried this? When I was tried installing an upgrade version of 7, it flat out refused to do anything without an XP on the drive.

Originally Posted by MagicBoy
XP is a qualifying upgrade product, but you can't upgrade the existing installation to Win 7. Back your data up, set the installation running and pick the option to format the partition.
Click to expand...
You can use Zinstall XP7 to avoid this. There's another thread about this thing, it upgrades from XP to 7, 32bit to 64bit, etc. etc.
 
Yes I've been through this whole thing personally. I myself bought the upgrade version, and I know (after googling) exactly what's going on, when and why.

The Windows 7 installer is well documented.

You can definately "upgrade" from either XP, Vista or 7, and the installer does not check whether they are activated or not. You can only perform an "in-place" upgrade from Vista (well, 7 too, but that's 100% pointless). For XP, a clean install is necessary, however you *MUST* let the installer wipe the XP partition if you plan on doing that, *NOT* use any other tool (FDISK, Gparted) to do it beforehand.
 
FoxEye said:
For XP, a clean install is necessary, however you *MUST* let the installer wipe the XP partition if you plan on doing that, *NOT* use any other tool (FDISK, Gparted) to do it beforehand.
Click to expand...

Wipe is not needed to install Windows 7! It will just do a clean install by itself, gathering your old stuff in a single folder.

That's how it is possible to do a upgrade to Windows 7 from XP as mentioned before.

Wiping is unnecessary, really - you just lose any chance to restore your system for no real reason.
 
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