Can't upgrade XP Pro to Win 7 64-bit

[Jukeboxs]

Hi -

I originally installed Win 98SE, upgraded to Win XP Pro, and recently bought a student version of Windows 7 (64 bit) Pro Upgrade. However, when I insert the CDrom, it says it is incompatable with my current operating system. Is this because one can not upgrade from XP Pro to Win 7, or because one can't upgrade from a non-64 bit to a 64-bit system?

The site I got it from (http://www.software4students.co.uk/M...n-details.aspx) implies one can upgrade from XP to Windows 7, so I assume it is the 64-bit that is the problem.

Thanks for your help!

[David M]

You can't use the upgrade version of Windows 7 to upgrade from XP to Windows 7. You need to buy the full Windows 7 version.

You see, Microsoft only has sympathy for those they punished with Vista. No pain-no gain. There is no getting out of jail for free...pay your $200. Don't feel bad helping poor Steve Balmer pay his fuel bills for his mega-yacht.

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/o...l/13940339.jpg

You can upgrade from XP to Win 7 but it has to be a clean install, you can't upgrade from a 32 bit to a 64 bit version. If your running xp pro 32 bit, you have to upgrade to Win 7 32 bit. Check out this link

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...p-to-windows-7

[Jukeboxs]

Thanks folks! So, just to get it clear in my head:

If I want to move from 32-bit XP Pro to 64-bit Windows 7 then I have to carry out a Custom Install. And this can not be done with a Windows 7 Upgrade disk?

If I want to use a Windows 7 upgrade disk to move me from 32-bit XP Pro, then I have to purchase the 32-bit Windows 7 Upgrade disk?

As I've now opened the packaging of the Windows 7 64-bit Upgrade disk, then I'll just have to sell it or give it away. I'll then purchase the more suitable one (and chalk any loss up to lack of research before purchase!).

[pam123]

OK, read this : http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/11/h...tell-about-it/

I used the Win 7 64 bit upgrade disk to go from XP to Win 7 about 6 weeks ago and I've done several others since.

So check that your hardware is compatible before you do anything else.

What you have to do next is back up all the data you need to keep to an external usb drive or to CDs/DVDs (believe me the usb drive is the better alternative) before you start.
If there are any motherboard chipset drivers the manufacturer has released you will need make sure you download those as well for the back up (Win7 also has them so the fact that they're not on the manufacturer's site may not be a problem.).
Any other drivers you can get once you're up and running.

Now, put the optical drive first in the boot order and that
s what you boot from (The press any key to boot from optical drive deal.) when you get to the install page select "Custom".
You can't upgrade from XP to Win 7 so you will be selecting "Custom" and then select format from the options presented.

Now you install Win 7 and then go to your backups and start installing all the 64 bit win7 drivers you downloaded previously and lastly your data (Do not use an image of your previous drive and its OS.).

Job done and fairly painless at that.

Oh yes, let Win7 do its thing when it reboots the computer.
Once you've done it the first time you don't keep re-booting from the DVD (Sounds dumb but I've watched people do just that.) unless you want to start over and over again.
So keep your hands around the coffee mug.

What you have done is a clean install of Win7 64 bit as an upgrade.

[Jukeboxs]

I'm still having problems. Some background which might help:

I bought new PC components (mobo, cpu, RAM, HD, DVDRW) and fitted these 3 weeks ago (not the HD, as I intended using this for my Win7 upgrade).

My original IDE HD still has my long-standing XP Pro 32-bit installed on it, and it's sitting in my PC case, ready to use should this Win7 installation not work.

My new SATA HD is also inside the case, and I hooked it up yesterday for installing Win7.

Following my earlier problems with the Win7 installation (first post above), I tried first installing Win98SE, then WinXP Pro 32-bit upgrade, then my Win7 64-bit upgrade. But, when I inserted the Win7 CDrom within the WinXP environment, it would not play (it gave an error). So, I then booted up the PC with the Win7 CDrom, and carried out the Custom Install option (firstly formatting my SATA HD, which at that point had WinXP on it).

During the installation, it did not allow me to activate Win7 ("This product key is not valid"), and I then encountered a problem when trying to activate it after installation from the Device Manager screen (Error Code: 0xC004F061. The Software Licensing Service determined that this specified product can only be used for upgrading, not for clean installations.).

I did not carry out any backup or restoring of data during the installation as it was onto a new SATA HD, and my data was already backed from my old IDE HD (I regularly backup up onto two USB HDs I have on my PC desk).

Am I receiving the error because I did not perform the data backup, or is it because I was unable to install from within WinXP itself, or is it due to another reason? Would me activating by telephone stand more chance of success (i.e. as I can explain the situation on the phone)?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated - thank you!

[Jukeboxs]

I am now even more confused, having read this:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...ror-0xC004F061.

It says one has to install the previous version of Windows (Win XP Pro for me) and then reinstall Windows 7 (i.e. you can not install Win7 on a formatted hard drive - but then that is what Custome Install requires!?!). However, when I do install Win XP and then try to run the Win 7 CDrom within WinXP, it will not run.

I shall go through all the process again, installing XP and then trying to run the Win7 from within XP. I shall take more detailed notes of any errors I get along the way. Fingers' crossed!

[David M]

Why not buy the full version of Windows 7, zero out the drive and start the installation from scratch? That seems like it would be the least amount of hassle. You would also get a brand new clean installation without bringing in a bunch a garbage from your previous installation.

[Extremerc12]

Lets go from the beginning with the Windows 7 install to make sure we aren't missing something.


1. You are booting your computer with your Windows 7 Upgrade Disk.
2. You are choosing the language in which you want to install Windows with and you are accepting all the end user agreements.
3. Now you come to the Which type of installation do you want. I assume you are selecting Custom (advanced) so we can proceed under that.
4. From that point it does a compatibility check if I remember correctly and them prompts the screen asking "Where do you want to install Windows?" On this screen, did you select Drive options (advanced)? I also assume that the screen is showing you have Windows XP Pro installed. If so, delete that partition then format.
5. The "Installing Windows" screen should pop up.
6. Once you get through all of the installation make sure when you are prompted for the Product Key that you are typing the correct letters and or numbers. On mine I have a letter I that in actuality is a number 1.

If you can get into Windows 7, but cannot activate, call Microsoft and use their automated service. Seems as though they are having some activation issues with Windows 7.

I hope that some what helps. I believe the only difference is I have the upgrade media from Vista, but I have never actually installed Vista.

[MaxRat]

if you fresh installed with the Upgrade disk and the key wont take the easiest thing to do is put the diskj in while you are at teh new Win7 desktop and run it and do an upgrade...it will work...

I downloaded my Upgrade DVD from MS and I can do a clean install with it no issue... others have issues it just depends where you got it from...

the Digital River ones wont let you so I have been told...

[MikeMoss]

Hi

As the previous poster said....

Everything I have read says that the way to install on a clean hard drive is to insert the disk and install.
Tell it you DO NOT want to register the install at this time.

When you have Windows 7 open put the disk back in and go through the install again, it will accept your first installation as a currently installed version.
I'm told that this isn't a hack, Microsoft built it this way on purpose.

The second time through select register online and it will do so and your done.

I installed from a $49 upgrade disk from Amazon.com (I got the deal because I did the Beta) I installed from inside Windows XP and I had no problems at all.

I do think that if you want to go from 32 to 64 bit you will have to use the first option of starting with a clean disk.

Mike

[Jukeboxs]

Hey guys -

Just to say it is now working!! 4th time lucky!

This time, instead of changing any partitions, I requested that Win7 be installed on top of the WinXP partition (keeping the WinXP files - which are now in the "Windows.old" folder). Whereas before I had been deleting and creating partitions (i.e. deleting the existance of WinXP from my HD).

So, I assume the Activation process looks for a valid previous version of Windows in the this Windows.old folder before giving you the green light (for an Upgrade disk).

So, all is well !

Thanks for your many helpful replies and for your patience. I would have surely commited suicide before now without your assistance!

Cheers.

p.s. I was definitely unable to use the Win7 CDrom from inside WinXP - I tried again, before the final successful Custom Installation, and it would not let me (same error message appeared).

[ROYP123]

Originally Posted by usnavyretired You can upgrade from XP to Win 7 but it has to be a clean install, you can't upgrade from a 32 bit to a 64 bit version. If your running xp pro 32 bit, you have to upgrade to Win 7 32 bit. Check out this link http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...p-to-windows-7

I have not done it yet, but your link says you can upgrade from a Win xp 32 bit to a Windows 7 64 bit.

You can "custom install", not upgrade a 32 bit xp to 64 bit win7.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...sked-questions

[JessicaD]

David M,

You absolutely can you use the upgrade version of Windows 7 for Windows XP. However, please note that when migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7 you will not have an "in place upgrade" option. You will however have the option to select "custom" install when prompted. The Windows 7 install process will then copy all of your data in "My Documents" over to a Windows.old folder within Windows 7 itself. All applications and documents stored in other locations will have to be reinstalled / transferred manually.
For more information on the Windows 7 Upgrade, please go here: http://bit.ly/3DvynK
For additional assistance with the migration of Windows XP to Windows 7, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/mhbep4

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

[David M]

Jessica,
Thanks for the correction. The computer magazine where I read this was wrong.