I have a laptop with Win Vista Home Premium 32bit. I intend to upgrade to Win 7 prof or ultimate. My question is, should I buy the 32 bit upgrade or go for the 64 bit that needs a clean install and go through the hassle of installing all my software again. Or does it not really matter between 32 bit and 64 bit.

Be sure that things like printer/scanner drivers support 64 bit if you change or are available. BB

The main advantage of 64bit is that it can use more than 3.3GB RAM.

Most current programs are still 32 bit so you will get very little advantage for the time being. However, Installing Windows 7 is a good time to go for a clean install, so there is little downside to using 64 bit.

I have 64 bit Win 7 on my laptop and it works very well. IE8 seems better in 64 bit but Y-Refresher does not work on it so I tend to use the 32 bit version instead. The only other problems that I had, were the Send to OneNote 2007 printer, an 8 year old HP printer and OpenVPN client. All of which are solvable but complicated.

IMO, it is worth putting Ultimate on a laptop, if only for the system backup, Bitlocker and Bitlocker to Go.

BTW, a couple of months ago, Kayak mentioned on this thread that Win 7 Ultimate keys can be bought on Ebay for $25. They are still availible, and so far they still work.

Ok, Opti....but I'm a bit thick...

So I buy the key for either a 64 or 32 bit Windows 7 Ultimate Version Retail License from say, somewhere on Ebay like THIS

As I understand it, what I'm actually buying is a 'Number or Serial Code Key'. This will then allow me to Pass Microsoft Serial Key Genuine Validation.

The key download appears to be one heck of a massive piece of software. It's so big that one needs a special software downloader to handle the download (eg, "BT" (????), "emule", "flashget"). What is this software? Is it actually Windows 7 Ultimate?

Anyhow, I'm a bit confused. You say it can be done. Do you recommend I do it?

I guess I could create a folder and put it in that and then burn it onto a disc and call it Window 7 Ultimate ($25 Ebay version).

Is my question so daft that you would automatically say 'No'?

Hmmm?

Doc

Yes that link is to the key though that seller has only one sale to his name.

Most of the keys being sold are for the key only, no software is included although some will give you a download link. I understand that the keys are suposed to have been issued to MSDN members who don't need them.

The key is for either 32 or 64 bit but can only be used on one machine. You would need to download the ISO and burn it to a DVD. The download is only 2 to 3 GB so it can be done overnight. The problem is to find a trustable download you would do best to find someone who has a genuine Microsoft disc and take a copy of it. That way, you know that you have a safe OS and your only risk is whether or not the key expires.

Does anyone have a genuine Win7 disc they can copy for me?

Hi Opto
If I do a clean install of the 64bit version, do I need to do something to my laptop first. Or when I install Win7 64 bit will it do it all for me.

Do you know a good site to download the full version.

So long as you have a 64 bit proccessor and your screen and network devices etc are supported then the install is straight forward although it will format the disk.

Microsoft have all the OS disk images on line but I think you have to be an MSDN member to get most of them. If you Bing for other sources then you will find them, but knowing whether or not they are safe is the problem. The onlly safe way is to check the MD5 sum.

Thks Opto

Bought a key for Win7 ultimate on ebay for about 20 and downloaded the program and all up and running. Seems ok, just loading on my software, no probs so far.

brave man.......

Hi Opto
Is it safe to delete the windows.old file if win7 appears to be stable. It is 32GB so I could do with the space

Jeff

I;d look carefully into that directory, it should contain your old system which is of little use except as a list of old programs, but also your user profiles along with old data files.

How long did the Windows 7 Ultimate OS program download take, jeffmack?

After you'd done the download, what did you do with it?

Exec
I think it was a couple of hours. I followed instructions for burning a ISO file to DVD, which worked ok. Laptop wasnt booting from disc so needed to change boot order to DVD/CD first and off it went. Install seemed very quick. Only problem so far has been no sound. Searched google and seemed to be common problem with advice being to use the vista 64bit driver so did that and all ok. (so far)

Thanks jeffmack.

Since it does seem to be reliable, would you mind telling me the specific link for the Windows 7 Ultimate download?

Exec
I got the link with the key

32 bit: 32 bit Windows 7 Ultimate

64 bit: 64 bit Windows 7 Ultimate

Jeffyou always seem to have problems?for Christ sake go to the clinicwear a hoodie if necessary?

I need to buy a colour laser for work, mainly for documents we produce for clients. Ink jets are OK but the ink runs when wet, and we often use solutions or liquids in our rooms. I need something that is cheap to run and reliable, and possibly could be used for photographs - we do a lot of photographs of patient's retinas, so red / yellow used far more than other colours.

Any recommendations?

Office 2007 keys, no guarantees as to seller...

SC,
The multi-pack of four inks, used on the Epson printers, seem to be waterproof.
Took a chart with red and green candles and blue trenlines on a black background.
Wet a section of it and rubbed my finger on it. No smearing.
I'm using an Epsom SX200 with plain paper.
Might be a cheaper alternative.