[OldBuzzard]

I have a question on just what is on the Win 7 install DVD.

The wife's original Aspire One HDD bit the dust. We have sent it, and a new HDD to a Co. in NJ to see if they can recover some very important data that is on the old HDD.

Meanwhile. she bought a newer Acer Aspire One 532h with the Intel N450 processor. She bought it on Ebay under the impression that it had XP for the OS. She wanted XP because of an old genealogy program that she uses, and refuses to give up.

Anyway, turns out the the lappy had Win 7 Pro. So, I upgraded the RAM to 2GB, got an OEM copy of Win 7 Pro 32-bit, and installed that and Virtual XP. She still ain't happy and as we all know, "If momma ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy"

To soothe her feathers, I told her that once we get her old HDD back (hopefully with the recovered data as well), that I'd reinstall XP on the new HDD that we got for it.

Since we just bought a motor home, and intend to do some traveling, I thought to myself, " Self, that Aspire One would make a nice GPS using MS Streets & Maps", and if I can find a decent wireless camera, could do duty as a rear view monitor as well . However, I'm a bit concerned that using it while on the road, 'could' cause issues with the HDD.

Fortune smiled, and Micro Center just had an OCZ 32GB SSD on sale for 49.99 after MIR. I got one intending to re-install Win 7 Pro on it. In checking, I found that the N450 is a 64-bit CPU. Now, I have the product key for the 32-bit OEM version, and set of UPGRADE DVDs that I got for my main system. I am under the impression that the WIN 7 DVDs really have ALL versions on them, and that the product key determines what version is loaded.

So, would I be able to use the 64-bit UPGRADE DVD to install an OEM version, or am I going to need to 'acquire' a 64-bit OEM DVD?

[BigBodZod]

Hmm, I never knew you could do that, I always thought that each disc had either the 32-bit or the 64-bit flavor of the OS and you could not interchange the product keys with each other.

I know on XP Home vs. XP Pro it works this way.

As for the OEM versions vs. RETAIL version, this maybe correct.

I guess until somebody whom has done this can post here I can only state you may wish to wait or give it a go and see what happens, it will only state that you have an invalid product key.

[ET3D]

Normal keys work for both versions, but don't know about OEM. However I have to ask what's the point? Sure it's a 64 bit CPU, but you only have 2GB of RAM, and the number of actual 64 bit programs that benefit purely from being 64 bit is very small. You'll be running a 64 bit OS that takes more space and 32 bit programs that run in an emulation layer over that. I just don't see the benefit.

[OldBuzzard]

Originally Posted by ET3D

... I just don't see the benefit.

Would you disable 4 cyls of a V-8 engine just because "you don't need all of that power"?

Actually, there are things "under the hood" in 64-bit Vista and 7 that make it worth using, even if you are running 32-bit apps. In fact, there are many 32-bit applications that run faster on a 64-bit OS that they do on a 32-bit OS.

32-bit applications need to DIE! They are SO 20th century.

[ET3D]

Originally Posted by OldBuzzard

Would you disable 4 cyls of a V-8 engine just because "you don't need all of that power"?

What power? The power of an Atom with 2GB of RAM? Talk about 20th century. I'm not doubting that a 64 bit OS is useful for reasonably specced PC. I certainly use one on mine. If you can quote me benchmarks showing a significant benefit for a 64-bit OS on such a setup then fine, I just doubt that's the case. The 64-bit OS takes more space on disk, and my guess would be also in RAM. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Judas]

First off

32bit and 64bit ARE interchangeable among only those products which are either OEM... OR RETRAIL.. you cannot Take a 32bit OEM key and slap it in a 64bit RETAIL... but you can take a 32bit key and put it in a 64bit oem copy... vice versa....

2nd

Windows 7 OEM disks typically include Starter/Basic/Home Premium and Ultimate... NOT Enterprise or Proffesional. I am not positive on the retail end of it.. however i am also not 100% certain if sticking a Pro OEM CD key into a typical Home Premium OEM disk IF it'll recognize the key and install windows pro no problems at all. I would assume it should considering that ultimate has everything, so why wouldn't it like Vista does

Lastly, when ever i've delt with Upgrade disks.... for me.. it's always been a nightmare even trying to do the clean install tricks. Specially if you intend to do 64bit.

Best thing to do though would probably get a legitimate windows 64bit oem disk (borrow) or burn a copy if you can find a legit one lol..

pop it in... slap the key in ... and cross your fingers...

[Judas]

Originally Posted by ET3D

What power? The power of an Atom with 2GB of RAM? Talk about 20th century. I'm not doubting that a 64 bit OS is useful for reasonably specced PC. I certainly use one on mine. If you can quote me benchmarks showing a significant benefit for a 64-bit OS on such a setup then fine, I just doubt that's the case. The 64-bit OS takes more space on disk, and my guess would be also in RAM. Correct me if I'm wrong.

From my own personal benchmarks SPECIALLY taking into consideration of a 64bit compliant ATOM processor... the difference in booting up alone is very noticeable... shaving several seconds compared to the 32bit variant.

top it off, there is a significant improvement in loading times for other applications vs 32bit.

While running 32bit programs.... your generally not going to see any changes in the FPS of such a thing as a game.. but loading times seem to improve irriguardless. there are other noticeable factors to consider too.

Plus if your running a 64bit application.. there are considerably better results shown..

Personally i'm still a fan of UT2004 64bit, today it's still a huge difference going from UT2004 32bit to 64bit... load times and FPS do indeed show a major increase for me at least.

Plus i do really understand as to why.. but windows 32bit of vista/7 just seem to be buggy as hell ... crashing for no apparent reason in most cercumstance...... where as the 64bit version doesn't.... just appears to be more stable.

and i noticed this for windows xp 64bit....

[ET3D]

Thanks. That's good to know.