Upgrading from Vista 32bit to Windows 7 64bit

Hi all. I'm hoping some of you gurus out there can help me with my transition from Windows Vista 32 to 7 64bit. I have run the compatibility tool on Microsoft's website and everything is fine there.

This is a photoediting machine for our photography business and Vista 32bit has been a nightmare. So we want to upgrade to 7 64bit. We have an external hard drive and two internal harddrives. My question is, do I need to reformat all the harddrives or just the drive that Windows 7 will be running on?

Anything else we need to consider before making the jump to a 64bit computer? Does the Microsoft compatibiolity checker check everything like: motherboard, ram, harddrive, optical drives, graphics card, etc.?

Thanks in advance for your help everyone!

I don't consider myself a guru, but make sure the drivers needed are x64 compatible. JMHO

Welcome to the forums Mr Intuition

You can get away with formatting only the main hard drive that Windows resides on, as long as there are no installed applications on the other drives (in which case you may want to).

If your system can run Vista then it will be able to run Windows 7. Plus, the compatibility checker does a good job at detecting hardware problems (usually!).

Only the one you intend on installing Windows too. You can dis-connect the drive you are not installing to. This might make things easier for you.

And Kalario is correct all your hardware must have 64-Bit drivers to function in the 64-Bit OS.

If you have hardware that only has 32-Bit drivers. There is three option.

1. Stay with XP or Vista (However Vista drivers usually work in Win7)
2. Use XP Mode that comes with Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit an greater OS.
3. Install Windows 7 32-Bit which could still have compatibility issues with older hardware.

Great! THanks so much for your help guys. I will start checking to see what is available for drivers. If any of you know for sure whether or not these are compatible, here is what I have:
mobo: Asus P5KC
GPU: Sapphire Radeon 5770
DVD: Optiarc AD7191s drives
HDD: Seagate Sata II

Good luck Mr I.

These items are good to go as far as I know.

Do you have any Scanners or Printers that will require 64-Bit drivers to function?

I have a few cheap printers hooked up, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if they didn't work. It would be the excuse I need to get a new one!

I am looking at getting a new router though. I'm probably going to get a Linksys WRT610n v 2.

Oh yea, and we just got a Wacom table and Logitech wireless Keyboard. Other than that, I don't think we have much else hooked up...

Even if I canm't get 64bit drivers, can't I just run in 32bit mode?

ONe last question...

I bought a custom built computer from compudirect and had them put a vista 32bit on there. I now want to get rid of it and use Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit.

My question is, should I get the upgrade or the full retail version? Is there a difference?

I am sure your system will handle the 64 bit, you can use the "upgrade" version, but you'll have to do a clean or "custom" install as MS calls it.

It's not possible to upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit. Only a fresh install will work for you.

Make sure you have all the 64 bit drivers for your hardware; mobo, printer, video card, etc.