Very Important question regarding Windows 7. Appreciate the help.

[Protocept00]

Hello everyone.


I just recently ordered Windows 7 64-bit using the Microsoft student deal (for 30 bucks). I currently have Windows XP 32-bit. According to the Microsoft order website, the backup disk is required to install Windows 64bit over 32-bit XP. So I ordered the disk, no problem... but I have heard people saying it will take weeks for the disk to come in and to be honest, I don't really have that much time nor do I want to wait for the disks to come in.

Can I use virtualization to install Windows 7 64bit in 32bit? I've heard people saying that it is not possible. Is there any way I'll be to get Windows 7 up and running sooner? I have "Virtual Clone drive" on my computer, would it be possible to mount it from there?

 

[MrChad]

You won't be able to upgrade your existing Windows install to Windows 7. You will have to do a clean install of Windows. You can backup all of your existing data yourself (not sure why you would need a backup disc provided by Microsoft), format your hard drive, then install Windows 7.

 

[Protocept00]

You won't be able to upgrade your existing Windows install to Windows 7. You will have to do a clean install of Windows. You can backup all of your existing data yourself (not sure why you would need a backup disc provided by Microsoft), format your hard drive, then install Windows 7.

Yes, that is actually what I would like to know. I'd like to know if I can clean install windows 7 64bit, from windows xp 32bit, using virtualization, rather than having to install from the windows 7 64bit disk which I won't be recieving for awhile. So is that possible?

 

[SimMike2]

Just start the install program from within XP. It will do Windows 7 version of a clean install, which is it will move all your XP information to a directory called "windows.old" and in essence do a clean install of Windows 7. Like everyone says, backing up your files to some external drive is a really good idea. You can find the information about how to turn the downloaded files into a bootable DVD disk, and do the install that way, but since XP requires a pseudo clean install of Windows 7, just start the program and away you go.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Just start the install program from within XP.

If it were only that easy. The 64-bit installer throws up an error in 32-bit XP. You have to boot off of it to upgrade XP to 64-bit Win7.

 

[Protocept00]

If it were only that easy. The 64-bit installer throws up an error in 32-bit XP. You have to boot off of it to upgrade XP to 64-bit Win7.

Thats what I was worried about.

So the question is, how can I (Clean) install, Windows 7 64bit through Windows 32-bit, WITHOUT the Windows 7 64bit disk? If it isn't possible, I'm stuck waiting for the disk which is weeks off. And that really blows. So there's gotta be a workaround...

 

[Jaskalas]

Thats what I was worried about.

So the question is, how can I (Clean) install, Windows 7 64bit through Windows 32-bit, WITHOUT the Windows 7 64bit disk? If it isn't possible, I'm stuck waiting for the disk which is weeks off. And that really blows. So there's gotta be a workaround...

Got a dvd burner? Slap that disk image onto that.

 

[Protocept00]

Got a dvd burner? Slap that disk image onto that.

I do actually. I would have to buy blank dvd discs though. How actually do I burn the image onto disk? I hope it'll work...

 

[Protocept00]

Guys.. keep in mind this is the student upgrade. I have to have proof that I have windows xp installed on my system. I'm getting really frustrated, because I keep hearing reports about how the 64bit upgrade wont recognize that you have windows xp installed already if you format or clean install. I don't know what to do. I can not find answers anywhere. Everyone is saying something different, I might just return the damn thing.

I hear they have the ISO files up. Is it possible to run the 64bit editions iso files from a virtual disk?

 

[RedFiveSW]

The install reboots a few times mid process. Wouldn't you loose the virtual drive on reboot? Maybe 7 only pulls data off the disk before the first reboot. Which could be okay?

How about a flash drive if blank dvds are so hard to acquire?

 

[JackMDS]

I do not get it.

You do not have the Win 64 x64 DVD.

So what exactly is you current source of Win 7 x64.

If you have a legimate Install Virtual Drive of Win 7 and you put it as a VHD on VPC it does not do any thing to Host OS.

Be precise in your technological terms so we cam understand the naure of your software.

Otherwise make an image of you XP install Win 7 RC1, and use it for the next few weeks.

When you get the x64 DVD ghost Win XP back and Upgrade to Win 7 x64.