Windows 7 32 bit problem

rizla01

Been asked to help a mate who tried to do what he could to solve a problem

That problem was Vista.

He decided to get rid of vista and install w7 in its place as his friend had a disc.
Deleted his op sys and when he went to install the W7 disc it turned out to be a 64 bit copy.

I haven't tried that myself so I assume that the CD didn't have both versions on but now he is stuck.
I've talked him off W10 but I was wondering if he is correct and that W7 discs dont have the 32 bit version included or is it that the key isn't working on his machine.
Its only a MEDION e4500 duo core 2.8ghz but I think it should manage W7

Any thoughts/words of wisdom?
Can the 32 bit version be D/L'd for this machine?
He has the original Vista disc but I'm hoping that he wont need to install that.

Thanks

takman

The CD key will work with either the 32bit or 64bit as long as it is for the version he is installing e.g. "home premium". So thay won't be the problem and there is no reason his machine won't run the 64bit version that i can see. Also windows 7 comes with two discs 1 for 32bit and one for 64bit so they won't be on the same disc.

What actually happens when he tries the CD key?. Does it say if it's for the wrong version or maybe even he has an upgrade only key which only works if it detects an older operating system when installing.

Also no need to talk him off windows 10, once he has it activated and he can upgrade he shouldn't definetly do it! .

rizla01

My concerns with W10 is that I have always found later op sys on older machines never a good plan as the newer system is invariably more memory hungry plus I have not heard much good for the newer sys.
I don't think he has access to the 32 bit sys.
His mate has a 64 bit system and has prob chucked the 32 bit version

FunTime

rizla01 wrote: »

Been asked to help a mate who tried to do what he could to solve a problem

That problem was Vista.

He decided to get rid of vista and install w7 in its place as his friend had a disc.
Deleted his op sys and when he went to install the W7 disc it turned out to be a 64 bit copy.

I haven't tried that myself so I assume that the CD didn't have both versions on but now he is stuck.
I've talked him off W10 but I was wondering if he is correct and that W7 discs dont have the 32 bit version included or is it that the key isn't working on his machine.
Its only a MEDION e4500 duo core 2.8ghz but I think it should manage W7

Any thoughts/words of wisdom?
Can the 32 bit version be D/L'd for this machine?
He has the original Vista disc but I'm hoping that he wont need to install that.

Thanks

Try to identify the machine properly. There should be a label at the back or underneath with model numbers.
Naming the model of the tiny CPU within doesn't tell us anything.

This is what you are naming:



As aforementioned, 32 bit or 64 bit share the same key. So does he actually have a genuine key for the Windows 7 disc? For which edition?
Is he trying to use his Vista product key for the Windows 7 media?

A good place to begin is the full model number of the Medion machine.

rizla01

FunTime wrote: »

Try to identify the machine properly. There should be a label at the back or underneath with model numbers.
Naming the model of the tiny CPU within doesn't tell us anything.

This is what you are naming:



As aforementioned, 32 bit or 64 bit share the same key. So does he actually have a genuine key for the Windows 7 disc? For which edition?
Is he trying to use his Vista product key for the Windows 7 media?

A good place to begin is the full model number of the Medion machine.

Its a Medion MT7 model if that helps.
He was using the W7 product key as supplied - def not the Vista key,

FunTime

rizla01 wrote: »

Its a Medion MT7 model if that helps.
He was using the W7 product key as supplied - def not the Vista key,

You need to get the full model number. Look here

At least we know it is a PC, but we don't know which.

Is there a reason why he doesn't want the 64 bit option? Not enough RAM installed?

It is really unclear as to what the issue. Product key not working? Prefers 32 bit for particular software to run?

What edition of Windows 7? Home Premium?

rizla01

FunTime wrote: »

You need to get the full model number. Look here

At least we know it is a PC, but we don't know which.

Is there a reason why he doesn't want the 64 bit option? Not enough RAM installed?

It is really unclear as to what the issue. Product key not working? Prefers 32 bit for particular software to run?

What edition of Windows 7? Home Premium?

MEDION AKOYA MD 8830 A-UK
MSN: 10011367

He has 3 gb Ram but I wasn't sure it would take the 64 bit Op Sys comfortably.

He was saying that the system is locking up when he enters the product key and I assumed it was because it isn't happy running 64 bit.
That last bit is just my assumption.

it is Windows 7 Ultimate.

Would it be better off with 64 bit as opposed to 32 bit?

FunTime

Should have no issue running 64 bit with those specs

64 bit is always best.

But I'm happy to link you to the 32 bit image of Windows 7 Ultimate if you want to give it a try.
Do you know how to create bootable DVD media?

Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 32 bit English

Otherwise we can check to see if the problem lies elsewhere

prowla

I'd go for the 64-bit OS.
I'd also upgrade the RAM to 4GB (but that's just me!).

AndyPix

No reason atall not to use the 64 version.
32 bit programs will run quite happily.


If you have the correct key for the correct version (pro/ultimate/home etc) then the key will work for 32 or 64 versions

FunTime

AndyPix wrote: »

No reason atall not to use the 64 version.
32 bit programs will run quite happily.


If you have the correct key for the correct version (pro/ultimate/home etc) then the key will work for 32 or 64 versions

From a technical point of view, you know that there are advantages to utilising 64 bit over 32 bit.

Security Advantages in using Windows 64-bit
Protecting computers is not limited any more by relying to antivirus and firewall. You are also no longer limited to protecting your PC by adding or modifying settings or group policy in Windows. Microsoft has enhanced security in Windows 64-bit that is not available in 32-bit:

Hardware-based Data Execution Prevention (DEP): Modern CPUs are now supporting hardware-based DEP but only 64-bit of Windows supports hardware-based DEP.

Driver Signing: 64-bit of Windows will only allow installation of device drivers that is digitally signed by its developer. With Windows 32-bit, unsigned drivers is allowed to be installed which most beta-testers require for they cannot continue testing if the program they want to test is still holding a digitally signed drivers.

Kernel Patch Protection (PatchGuard): One type of malware is called Rootkit. If you have 64-bit edition of Windows, you can enjoy protection against kernel-based rootkits. You can also avoid BSOD if you have 64-bit edition of Windows because PatchGuard does not allow any drivers to modify the kernel in Windows. Most bad driver or drivers that will modify kernel in Windows was seen the cause of BSOD or instability in Windows.

Point being that there is no advantage to installing 32 bit over 64 bit, unless there is just too little RAM installed.