Upgrading from 64-bit to 32-bit orVista and Win7 Update notificati

[Brian V]

Hi, If I upgrade to 64-bit from 32-bit will the programs I have that are in
32-bit prompt me to update them also?

Eg: WinRAR and Windows Media 9 Encoder have 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

Would these programs tell me I can update to 64-bit if I search or
automatically?

What if I upgraded to Vista or Windows 7? I find that the automatic updates
seem to want the updates in a case like a system change.

I assume the lesser bit versions would work on a more powerful system. I
just need to know what I have to keep track of to uninstall and/or reinstall.

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

Hi, If I upgrade to 64-bit from 32-bit will the programs I have that are
in
32-bit prompt me to update them also?

Eg: WinRAR and Windows Media 9 Encoder have 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

Would these programs tell me I can update to 64-bit if I search or
automatically?

What if I upgraded to Vista or Windows 7? I find that the automatic
updates
seem to want the updates in a case like a system change.

I assume the lesser bit versions would work on a more powerful system. I
just need to know what I have to keep track of to uninstall and/or
reinstall.

Your 32-bit programs will work on a 64-bit machine but your 16-bit programs
(if you have any) won't.s

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Hi, If I upgrade to 64-bit from 32-bit will the programs I have
that are in 32-bit prompt me to update them also?

Eg: WinRAR and Windows Media 9 Encoder have 32-bit and 64-bit
versions.

Would these programs tell me I can update to 64-bit if I search or
automatically?

What if I upgraded to Vista or Windows 7? I find that the automatic
updates seem to want the updates in a case like a system change.

I assume the lesser bit versions would work on a more powerful
system. I just need to know what I have to keep track of to
uninstall and/or reinstall.

Given the way you have worded things, someone should point out:

You _cannot do_ an in-place upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit or an in-place
upgrade from 64-bit to 32-bit. To change OS architecture like that requires
a *clean* installation.

In other words - your latter point of, "I just need to know what I have to
keep track of to uninstall and/or reinstall" --> if you are changing
architecture - *everything*.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi, If I upgrade to 64-bit from 32-bit

Sorry to tell you that you have no such option. The only way you can
get to the 64-bit version is by a clean installation.

will the programs I have that are in
32-bit prompt me to update them also?

No, because the clean installation will format the drive and remove
all your programs. They will need to be reinstalled.

 

[Doum]

Hi, If I upgrade to 64-bit from 32-bit will the programs I have that
are in 32-bit prompt me to update them also?

Eg: WinRAR and Windows Media 9 Encoder have 32-bit and 64-bit
versions.

Would these programs tell me I can update to 64-bit if I search or
automatically?

What if I upgraded to Vista or Windows 7? I find that the automatic
updates seem to want the updates in a case like a system change.

I assume the lesser bit versions would work on a more powerful system.
I just need to know what I have to keep track of to uninstall and/or
reinstall.

First make sure all your hardware have drivers for 64 bits.

Personnally, I wouldn't even consider XP, I would go to Seven-64bits,
drivers should be easier to find (might be Vista's drivers). And both disks
(32 and 64 bits are included in the box)

As mention by others, you must do a clean installation but if your using
Upgrade DVDs (Vista or Seven) don't format the hard disk before installing
because those disks need to see the XP installation or the installation
won't activate.

Start the installation from within XP, when you're at the point where the
installation ask you what type of installation, don't choose Upgrade, it
won't work but choose optional (on my French DVD, it says "Installation
Personnalisee", I think it's "Optional Installation" on English DVDs). This
procedure will create a Windows.old folder and proceed to do a clean
installation; I suppose the Windows.old folder is required for Windows
(Vista or Seven) to activate when installed from an Upgrade disk.

HTH