Can someone give me simple steps to upgrade to windows 7

[lightnight212]

I am currently running 32-bit vista, i have the windows 7 64-bit CD and i want to upgrade to the 64 bit and my computer's compatible and everything, i just keep getting really conflicting answers when i look up how to do it! would love an easy guide, + does that mean i'd need to back up everything on my computer? i.e, will it perform a clean wipe?

cheers!

 

[hang-the-9]

To go from 32 to 64 bit, you need to do a full installation not an upgrade. If you don't reformat your drive, your files will be there. But you'll need to re-install all the programs, etc...

What I like to do in cases where a clean setup is needed, is to just buy a new hard-drive to use. Then if anything funny happens during setup, there is no risk to the existing files and configurations.

 

[skaz]

As Hang-the-9 said you will need to do a full installation (clean install).

Yes you will need to backup everything you want to keep. So simply backup all pictures, documents, music, etc. to another device, then install windows 7 from the install disc. After your install is over you can simply copy back all your backed up media.

 

[Dogsnake]

Ditto, the easiest and most secure way is to buy another hd. Do you clean install and then move the data, pics, music you want to save to the new drive. However all programs, drivers, utilities and your favorites will have to be re-installed. Also your calendar, address book(s), browser preferences, etc. will need to either be re-set or exported to the newly installed programs. I suggest having downloaded to the old drive and in an easy to reach folder all the 64bit drivers and other files you will need. Once all is totally up and running the way you want it, you can use the old drive for your win7 disk image back ups. Take the time before you install Win7 to get everything together (I use a check list of software programs, hardware drivers, data to keep, and the miscellaneous things like the address book). Lastly you will need to be able to reset you email accounts, network and have any passwords or software keys needed for all the above.

 

[lightnight212]

Okay, so once i've backed up everything i want off my old hard drive and i try to run the setup on the 64-bit windows 7 disc, i get an error message saying 'The version of this file is not compatible with the version of Windows you're running. Check your computer's system information to see whether you need an x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit) version of the program, and then contact the software publisher.' My computer is running the 32-bit and says it is capable of running the 64-bit so what might the issue be?

thanks again.

 

[Dogsnake]

Have you formatted the old drive? Or is Vista 32 still on it? I think the Win7 disk is saying it can not update the existing OS to 64 bit. Remember you are not doing an upgrade but a new install.

 

[aevm]

Okay, so once i've backed up everything i want off my old hard drive and i try to run the setup on the 64-bit windows 7 disc, i get an error message saying 'The version of this file is not compatible with the version of Windows you're running. Check your computer's system information to see whether you need an x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit) version of the program, and then contact the software publisher.' My computer is running the 32-bit and says it is capable of running the 64-bit so what might the issue be?

thanks again.

Try booting from the 64-bit windows 7 disc. That is, put in the drive and press the reset button.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Do this .... very detailed step by step....foolproof

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[lightnight212]

Try booting from the 64-bit windows 7 disc. That is, put in the drive and press the reset button.

That worked for the better part of it mate still having some issues with it, such as now i can not connect to the net and what not. but i decided to just take it in and get it fixed!

cheers everyone for your responses.

 

[hang-the-9]

Ahhhh don't spend money to get it fixed. Just download the new drivers from the vendor support site and install it yourself. Use another PC to download the drivers, use a USB drive to install them on your PC.

No need to spend money to have someone else do that for you.