Problem installing Vista 64 bit

  • Thread starter Thread starter Colin
  • Start date Start date
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Colin

I have just bought Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1. My DVD autorun is not
working properly. I assume I must use setup.exe then. However, I want to
install 64 bit version (so I use the 64 disc) and setup will not let me run
(I presume setup is the menu starter). I get the message that setup.exe is
not a valid win32 application. Can someone help?

I am running Windows XP
Professional
Version 2002
Service Pack 3

Thanks
 
Yes, but I it seems I can't upgrade except from a xp which is 32 bit. I
don't really want to lose all my material or have to install all the
programmes again. Is there a way round this or do I have to install 32
Vista?
Colin
 
Colin said:
Yes, but I it seems I can't upgrade except from a xp which is 32 bit. I
don't really want to lose all my material or have to install all the
programmes again. Is there a way round this or do I have to install 32
Vista?
Colin
Click to expand...
You are correct. Vista 64 cannot be started from a 32 bit
application. Also, 64 bit Vista can only do a clean install,
which means all your existing installed applications will
be toast. If you want an in place upgrade that will run
with all your apps, you need the 32 bit upgrade, or full
retail version. OEM versions can also, only do an upgrade
install.
 
Yes, but I it seems I can't upgrade except from a xp which is 32 bit. I
don't really want to lose all my material or have to install all the
programmes again.
Click to expand...


If you want the 64-bit version, you have no choice. You *must* do a
clean installation, which means losing everything on your drive--data,
programs, etc. Back up you data first, then restore the backup after
you do the clean installation.

Is there a way round this

No.


or do I have to install 32
Vista?
Click to expand...


You don't *have to*. You can either upgrade to 32-bit Vista or do a
clean installation of 64-bit Vista.

Why do you want the 64-bit version? The advantage of running a 64-bit
version of Windows mostly exist only if you also run 64-bit
applications under it. Bear in mind that there are very few such
applications available yet. If you are presently running
32-bit Windows, you don't have any 64-bit applications, so to achieve
any advantage, you not only have to replace Windows, but also your
applications, *if* (and that's a big "if") 64-bit versions exist.

Also note that you will need 64-bit drivers for all your hardware.
Those drivers may not all be available, especially if some of your
hardware is a few years old. So it's possible that you might also have
to replace things like your printer, scanner, etc.

So it may not be a great idea right now. That will undoubtedly change
in the near future, but for now, 64-bit Windows mostly means some
extra trouble and expense for little or no benefit.

On the other hand, installing 64-bit Windows instead of 32-bit Windows
makes you able to buy 64-bit software as it becomes available, instead
of the older 32-bit versions. That means that installing 64-bit
Windows--even though it will do very little for you at present--puts
you into a better position for the future.
 
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