Windows 7 - 32 or 64 bit?

[steddie]

Hello,

Newbie here!

I have a Toshiba Satellite P105 laptop around 3 years old. It has Vista Home Premium. Apart from some Vista issues, the laptop still runs fine.

I'm going to attempt to upgrade to Windows 7 myself - sounds daunting, but is it? I'm an old(ish) fart but have some computer savy.

I have checked, and my computer can take 64 bit but currently is 32. Is there any advantage to going 64?

I use my computer mainly for the storage and playing of music. Also use it for storing photos and of course, web browsing, emailing etc etc. I don't often play games on it.

Any advice will be much appreciated!

 

[clifford_cooley]

Hi steddie - Welcome to w7forums

Are you looking to do a clean install? In other words backing up everything and starting fresh with all your programs. This option will allow you to go 32-Bit or 64-Bit.

Are you looking to do a clean install without moving your data? This option will allow you to go 32-Bit or 64-Bit. This can be with the Custom Install by installing over your current files. Your Vista files will be placed in a folder called windows.old. Re-install your applications and you are good to go. Later if you feel you will not be un-installing Windows 7. You can run Disk Cleanup and remove the Windows.old folder.

Are you wanting to keep all your programs, data files, and do an in-place install. This option must be done with the same bit version of Vista. You can not do a Vista Upgrade and change bit versions. You can however use the upgrade media and do a Custom Install which is sometime refered to as Clean Install.

 

[steddie]

Hi Clifford,

I have some problems with my Vista and have been advised to do a clean install of Windows 7. Hopefully it won't carry any probems over to the new system.

I want to totally wipe all traces of anything from my machine and start over. All of my stuff is backed up, so no problems there.

Thanks for your wecome!

 

[Kougar]

I agree, a clean install is the best way to go, doubly so if the previous OS was having issues of any sort!

How much RAM does the laptop have? If it has 2GB or less then 32bit would be better... 64bit is generally better for systems with 3GB to 4GB or more of RAM.

 

[steddie]

Hi Kougar,

My system has 4gb actual RAM, but the bloke who installed it said that the computer only recognises 3gb. Weird!

I still don't understand the benefits of going 64. Any ideas?

Thanks guys...

 

[draceena]

If you have 4 gb RAM but install XP, Vista or Windows 7 in 32 bit, you can only access around 3gb of that Ram so I highly suggest you install Windows 7 64 bit so that you can use all 4gb of your Ram

 

[steddie]

Hi Dracena,

Let me get this right. If I install the 64 bit Windows 7, I get to use all the 4 gbs of RAM that I have? What will be the benefit(s) of the 64 bit and the 4gb over what I have now?

Thanks (sorry for asking such dumb questions!)

 

[draceena]

That is correct. There are benifits and, yes, sometimes problems. The benefits are a faster computer, 64 bit programs will benefit the most but you can still use 32 bit programs (plus many many more benefits). The biggest problems can be some programs or older printers/scanners/whathaveyou will not work.

Just as an example, I have an older scanner, a Cannon Lide 35, and there were no 64 bit drivers for it so it would not work. I did some Googling and found a 64bit driver for another Cannon Scanner that would work for mine and I got lucky to not have to replace the perfectly good scanner just to get 64 bit drivers.

 

[steddie]

Hello all,

Thanks to all of you - I think it's clear !!??

 

[pak]

license

make sure you have a license for both 64 bit and 32 bit. 64 bit addresses much more memory and runs faster. Always perform a clean install.

 

[steddie]

Thanks Pak, I will do that.

Will let you all know how it goes - may take a week or three

I reckon I might just become a reg in here - it looks good!

 

[clifford_cooley]

I reckon I might just become a reg in here - it looks good!

We would be happy to have you.

 

[BevDaBronxbabe]

AOLPRESS 32 bit

I have a 64 bit Windows 7 Gateway NV54 and my old web design software AOLPRESS will not work in any compatible mode and I can't find a comparable program that I can understand or afford. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated. I like the speed of 64, but I feel like exchanging this PC for a 3 gig 32 bit instead. Help!

That is correct. There are benifits and, yes, sometimes problems. The benefits are a faster computer, 64 bit programs will benefit the most but you can still use 32 bit programs (plus many many more benefits). The biggest problems can be some programs or older printers/scanners/whathaveyou will not work.

Just as an example, I have an older scanner, a Cannon Lide 35, and there were no 64 bit drivers for it so it would not work. I did some Googling and found a 64bit driver for another Cannon Scanner that would work for mine and I got lucky to not have to replace the perfectly good scanner just to get 64 bit drivers.

 

[davehc]

My tuppence.
Your computer will allocate a small portion of the installed ram, for its own use. For example, if you have 4Gbs, the suggestion in this thread, you will probaly find that, on boot up, you only have 3.75 useable. This will occur whether you are using 64Bit or 32Bit.. The stolen amount will be even more, if you have a shared graphics card.
However, the point is that, with 32Bit, that is you limit. With 64 Bit (Premium, I see, in your case) you can install up to 16Gbs, if your motherboard can handle it. With ram so cheap, this is a single big advantage.

But. Keep in mind that it is not how much ram you have, but how much you would normally use in your everyday work. An office worker, for example, would never need more than the 4GBs.
But I think you have other considerations, in your case. I have no personal knowledge, but I can read on the web, quite a few problems with 64Bit hardware on your model, particularly with sound.

If you have the opportunity, why don't you try a dual boot with both versions first, and see how it goes?
64Bit is the way forward. IF you purchase more ram, I am sure you will see a speed advantage, but be prepared for some minor setbacks with drivers and (very little) software. Here is a very clear account of the advantages of moving on to 64Bit:
http://gizmodo.com/5133771/why-you-should-go-64+bit-with-windows-7

 

[BevDaBronxbabe]

Thanks, but I gave up. I returned the 64 bit PC and got a Window 7 32 bit. The 64 bit aggravated the heck out of me. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

My tuppence.
Your computer will allocate a small portion of the installed ram, for its own use. For example, if you have 4Gbs, the suggestion in this thread, you will probaly find that, on boot up, you only have 3.75 useable. This will occur whether you are using 64Bit or 32Bit.. The stolen amount will be even more, if you have a shared graphics card.
However, the point is that, with 32Bit, that is you limit. With 64 Bit (Premium, I see, in your case) you can install up to 16Gbs, if your motherboard can handle it. With ram so cheap, this is a single big advantage.

But. Keep in mind that it is not how much ram you have, but how much you would normally use in your everyday work. An office worker, for example, would never need more than the 4GBs.
But I think you have other considerations, in your case. I have no personal knowledge, but I can read on the web, quite a few problems with 64Bit hardware on your model, particularly with sound.

If you have the opportunity, why don't you try a dual boot with both versions first, and see how it goes?
64Bit is the way forward. IF you purchase more ram, I am sure you will see a speed advantage, but be prepared for some minor setbacks with drivers and (very little) software. Here is a very clear account of the advantages of moving on to 64Bit:
http://gizmodo.com/5133771/why-you-should-go-64+bit-with-windows-7

 

[catilley1092]

Unfortunately, there are a lot of users who will stick with 32 bit until it dies, then what? It won't be long before 64 bit is the norm. I'm running it with only 2GB RAM with no problems. My PC is new and there was no RAM upgrade option. But I'm sure that some vendor will offer a 4GB RAM option for me soon.