Sam
Moderator Premium Member
Registered: 24th Dec 99
Location: West Midlands
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I just upgraded my laptop from 2GB to 4GB, of course Windows will only see 3GB of this memory due to the installation being 32-bit.
I phoned Microsoft (and Samsung, the laptop manufacturer) and they say that I can't get a free upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit, even though I want the same Windows 7 Home Premium version!
I actually have a Windows 7 installation DVD here (my "own" one not the Samsung restore things), I assume that the licence key will only 'unlock' a 32-bit version or would it give me a choice of what I want to install?
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
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Keygen guru ftw
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ed
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Registered: 10th Sep 03
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I think the serial numbers are only linked to the edition you're installing rather than if it's x86 or x64. Though I only have experience of doing this with Windows Vista and MSDN Windows 7 serial numbers.
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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Ed is correct, the key on the bottom of the laptop won't work with anything but a samsung oem disc though.
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Aaron
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Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Cottingham, East Riding
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I have an ISO of a Win7 64bit if you get stuck
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moka
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Registered: 11th Mar 06
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quote: Originally posted by John
Ed is correct, the key on the bottom of the laptop won't work with anything but a oem disc though using the same version of windows (home, pro, ultimate) including 32/64bit
edited for correctness.
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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Maybe, maybe not, I've never confirmed for sure, I've had hits and misses.
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Bart
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Registered: 19th Aug 02
Location: Midsomer Norton, Bristol Avon
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quote: Originally posted by moka
quote: Originally posted by John
Ed is correct, the key on the bottom of the laptop won't work with anything but a oem disc though using the same version of windows (home, pro, ultimate) including 32/64bit
edited for correctness.
this
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Sam
Moderator Premium Member
Registered: 24th Dec 99
Location: West Midlands
User status: Offline
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The disc I have lets me choose whatever version of 7 I want, but I don't think it ever asked me for a licence key from what I remember.
I just remember, I don't have restore discs for my laptop as it's just a separate restore partition.
Could I install "my" disc and somehow change the licence key to the one on the laptop?
I don't even know what disc I've got TBH, must be some sort of volume installation disc or an MSDN one maybe? I "acquired" it from a "shop" somewhere ages ago...
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Aaron
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Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Cottingham, East Riding
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It wont ask you for the serial key, because it will use Windows Activation Technologies (WAT) to activate once installed. Funnily enough, you can download something called "WAT Remover" to ditch this process.
The good news is that the OS will still pas WGA, and you can get updates etc
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Sam
Moderator Premium Member
Registered: 24th Dec 99
Location: West Midlands
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I tried to install Windows 7 from my DVD but the one I've got is "Ultimate".
As I want my Windows install to be above board, I used a Home Premium 64-bit DVD that came with my other half's Dell laptop (the OS hasn't got any Dell branding BTW) and just used the licence key on the bottom of my laptop, job done.
I did try and use the licence key that was used on the 32-bit install, which was different to the one on the COA, but it kept failing validation for some reason and didn't give me an option to phone through for manual validation.
Stupid Microsoft.
[Edited on 20-11-2010 by Sam]
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
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I was under the impression a Retail/MAK/KMS key activates a certain version of 7, 32 bit or 64 bit!
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PaulW
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Registered: 26th Jan 03
Location: Atherton, Greater Manchester
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quote: Originally posted by pow
I was under the impression a Retail/MAK/KMS key activates a certain version of 7, 32 bit or 64 bit!
No, you can use the same key for either 64bit or 32bit, as long as they are the same base level of Windows (Home Prem, Pro, Ultimate)
I have 3 Pro keys (2x64bit, 1x32bit) and I used all 3 keys to activate 64bit systems just fine.
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
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That's exactly what I said Paul
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Sam
Moderator Premium Member
Registered: 24th Dec 99
Location: West Midlands
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Also, in other news my new 2GB RAM is faulty so I'm currently running Windows 7 64-bit whilst I RMA the dodgy RAM!
I also want to buy one of these bad boys:
Kingston 128GB SSDNow V SSD 2.5" SATA-II Read = 200MB/s, Write = 160MB/s - Desktop Bundle Kit
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
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You told me not to buy one of those Sam
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Sam
Moderator Premium Member
Registered: 24th Dec 99
Location: West Midlands
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I did?
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