Vista 32 bit to Vista 64 bit.

[PowerMan57two]

My laptop came with Windows Vista 32 bit Home Premium on it and no matter what kind of Vista 64 bit upgrade disc I try to insert to the computer, it wont work. I keep on getting this error:

Setup can not run on this verion of the Operating System. To install Windows please try booting from the install media.

If I try booting from the disc, then that will just wipe out the computer. I don't want that, I'd like to keep everything on my computer, but use the upgrade disc to make it into 64 bit. I did this with my Dell XPS desktop, how come this wont work on my Acer laptop?

Any ideas?

Thanks!

P.S. - I do have a Vista Ultimate legit key I could enter to use as the upgrade key, but I can't even choose the upgrade option!

[milk man]

Simple answer, you can't. As far as I know upgrading from 32 to 64 requires a clean install.

If you have a second hard drive or at least a second partition you still access your data if it is not overwritten, however all programs must be reinstalled in 64 bit OS.

Here's a few technical links
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932795
http://www.start64.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2768&Itemid=104

[PowerMan57two]

Edited. I know what I did with my XPS desktop. I installed Home Premium 64 fresh install, then upgraded to Ultimate 64 bit =)

Darnit.. I really need a way to upgrade 32 bit to 64. I guess there's no way to do it.

[milk man]

When I upgraded to 64 bit I faced the same situation. Since my system is a desktop I was able to purchased a new hard drive and place the 64 OS on the new drive leaving the data on the original drive intact. Vista 64 has no problem reading the old disk.

A laptop is more tricky. Probably the only thing can do is back-up all your data and make sure you write down all your serials and activation codes for all your software.

[Hath]

Pirating works well too. :P

[milk man]

Milkman seconds that motion. ^^