15 replies to this topic

[Noer5]

Sorry if in the wrong place
    -- not sure where to post this here?
Is there a way to use a 32bit setup.exe to install a 64bit OS (win7 or 8.1)?
Currently have only a 32bit system and can't seam to get past this barrier.
I can install 32bit versions, so if there is an easy way to upgrade from 32bit to 64bit, then maybe that’s an option.
-- no DVD on this pc
-- no flash drive available (what I have is extremely slow and always gets errors)
-- do have space available on a USB HDD, but must protect other partitions ‘ data on this drive.
-- VMware Player won't let me do a real HDD install without keeping the reserved partition ' boot files in the VM.
-- I tried swapping the 32bit Setup.exe into the 64bit ISO, but no go.
Thanks
 

Edited by Noer5, 08 March 2014 - 05:53 PM.

[steve6375]

http://www.sevenforu...usb-device.html

[Noer5]

http://www.sevenforu...usb-device.html

Thanks, but I should have stated that I'm on XP and trying to upgrade to 7 or 8.1.

And do want to keep the XP partition.

If I installed a 32bit, would those steps allow to install a 64bit?

Thanks

Edited by Noer5, 08 March 2014 - 06:10 PM.

[TheHive]

Youre hardware has to support 64bit in order to install it

 

System requirements

Windows 8.1

http://windows.micro...em-requirements

 

To install a 64-bit OS on a 64-bit PC, your processor needs to support CMPXCHG16b, PrefetchW, and LAHF/SAHF

 

 

Windows 7 system requirements

http://windows.micro...em-requirements

[Noer5]

Youre hardware has to support 64bit in order to install it

 

System requirements

Windows 8.1

http://windows.micro...em-requirements

 

Windows 7 system requirements

http://windows.micro...em-requirements

Thanks for the links.

Yes I checked that a couple months ago to make sure.

And the vm is win7 64bit, and that works great.

The 64bit setup.exe -- in the win7 64bit install ISO -- will not run from a 32bit system...

[Agent47]

 

 

-- no flash drive available (what I have is extremely slow and always gets errors)

 

A brand new 8 GB UFD is available at cheap rate. Why don't you simply buy a new one and install Windows from it ?.

[cdob]

Is there a way to use a 32bit setup.exe to install a 64bit OS (win7 or 8.1)?

No, I don't think so.
 

I'm on XP and trying to upgrade to 7 or 8.1.
And do want to keep the XP partition.

Reboot between.
Add grub4dos grldr to XP partition, configure boot.ini to load grldr.

[operating systems]
c:\grldr="Boot grub4dos"

Copy the 7 or 8.1 installation files to the (USB) hard disk.
Boot to grub4dos command line and chainload bootmgr.
 

-- do have space available on a USB HDD, but must protect other partitions ‘ data on this drive.

As always: backup files first.


Why do you like to use setup.exe?
There are other ways to install Windows 7 or 8.1.

E.g. WinNTSetup http://www.msfn.org/...winntsetup-v33/
Or use imagex.exe and bcdboot.exe yourself.

[Noer5]

Thanks for the great suggestions ' alternatives.

I'll look into those.

I was trying imagex.exe (mentioned in first reply), with my own batch file, but kept getting errors.

That command line tool might not work on XP.

Anyway, went ahead and installed Win7 32bit and will go from there.

Hopefully going from 32bit to 64bit will be a simple process.

 

>>cheap UFD
The cheap USB flash drives I've tried have been extremely slow AND error prone, and many also have fake capacities.

Finally gave up on this option as an exercise in fultility; but still looking at the nicer 3.0 ones.

Edited by Noer5, 10 March 2014 - 12:38 PM.

[sbaeder]

Speed of USB Flash...

 

If it is only for the install (a one time thing???), then speed not really that important...or is this not just a one time thing?

[cdob]

I was trying imagex.exe (mentioned in first reply), with my own batch file, but kept getting errors.
That command line tool might not work on XP.

The Windows 7 x86 relating command line tools works fine at XP x86.
It's possible to install a x64 Windows 7 from a x86 XP that way.
 

imagex /apply d:\sources\install.wim 3 f:\
bcdboot f:\windows /s c:\

As for testing: use the suggested grub4dos approach to launch bootmgr.

 

went ahead and installed Win7 32bit and will go from there.
Hopefully going from 32bit to 64bit will be a simple process.

It's as simple as XP 32bit to Windows 7 64bit: not possible.

[Noer5]

Speed of USB Flash...

If it is only for the install (a one time thing???), then speed not really that important...or is this not just a one time thing?

Can't tell you how many hours lost messing with cheap flashdrives.  I've swarn off of them.  Will likely hold out for a portable SSD if can make do with what have now for a while.

 

The Windows 7 x86 relating command line tools works fine at XP x86.
It's possible to install a x64 Windows 7 from a x86 XP that way.

imagex /apply d:\sources\install.wim 3 f:\
bcdboot f:\windows /s c:\

As for testing: use the suggested grub4dos approach to launch bootmgr.
It's as simple as XP 32bit to Windows 7 64bit: not possible.

Thanks for the great info and encouragement.

Once I get done moving all my apps and settings to Win7, I'll give it a try on my portable HDD.

>>>> It's as simple as XP 32bit to Windows 7 64bit: not possible.

Could you explain that last sentence?

Reads like said possible, but then not??

Thanks again.

[cdob]

Could you explain that last sentence?
Reads like said possible, but then not??

It's impossible to update from XP 32bit to Windows 7 64bit.
It's impossible to update from Widows 7 32bit to Windows 7 64bit.
Both cases are as likely.
It's impossible at all.

[Devx_wyne]

you can install 64bit os to your system. Just edit the partition table of your Hard Disk to GPT using Gparted. use bootable os like puppy linux to edit your hd partition table to gpt.

[Noer5]

you can install 64bit os to your system. Just edit the partition table of your Hard Disk to GPT using Gparted. use bootable os like puppy linux to edit your hd partition table to gpt.

Are you saying that since I’m wanting to go all 64bit anyway, I should use GPT disk partitioning?
Or is there some trick suggested?

Thanks

From http://msdn.microsof...e/gg463525.aspx
Q.     Can Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008 read, write, and boot from GPT disks?
A.     Yes, all versions can use GPT partitioned disks for data. Booting is only supported for 64-bit editions on UEFI-based systems.

Edited by Noer5, 11 March 2014 - 11:51 AM.

[cdob]

Windows Xp 32 bit dosn't boot from GPT disk.
Keep MBR partitions at a multi boot configuration.

[Noer5]

Used this bat file to install 64bit from a 32bit host and went great (other than some issues with my unattend file).

With exe & Unattend files in same folder as bat file.

My earlier attemps were with a customized WIM and that caused issues.

 

Thanks again

@ECHO off
imagex.exe /apply H:\ISOs\X17-59465\sources\install.wim 4 J:\
Pause
xcopy.exe Unattend.xml J:\Windows\System32\Sysprep /F /H /R /Y
Pause
bcdboot.exe J:\windows
Pause
exit