Hardware compatibility with Windows 7 64 bit
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Shemei @ 5th Nov 08:05AM:
Hardware compatibility with Windows 7 64 bit
Here is the background:
I spent a lot of time yesterday trying to install Windows 7 64-bit on my computer, including spending over 3 hours on the phone with a microsoft support person. Before I bought windows 7 I thought I had done my homework and had checked compatibility both using the windows7 upgrade adviser and checking the gateway site to see if my computer could be upgraded. Both places said I could upgrade to windows 7 64-bit. I also ran easy transfer for windows 7 as I am going from Vista Home Premium 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bit and I know I will have to do a custom install.
Well I tried to install win7 64-bit per the instructions posted on the microsoft website. It said, the installation disc is not compatible with your version of windows. blah, blah, blah, boot your computer using the installation disc, and then select custom. So I tried that and the computer started to boot, spun the dvd, then went to a black screen with some garbled text on it. At this point it froze up. I then called Microsoft support and they guy tried for an hour and a half to help me get the computer to boot from the disk. I won't go through all the junk he had me try but he did try.
At this point he told me my hardware was not compatible with a 64-bit OS and that was the problem. So we should install Windows 7 32-bit and I should talk to gateway about what particular hardware component I needed to upgrade to be able to go to 64-bit. I agreed to this although I wasn't happy about his solution. So we try to install win7 32-bit, it starts and does the compatibility check then says I need to uninstall Kaspersky AV and Perfect Disc. I do this, try again and it says Perfect Disc is still there. At this point I think he decided I was totally incompetent and asked to take over running my computer remotely. He fooled around with it for probably another 45 minutes, got hidden Perfect Disc files deleted and we tried again. This time it looked like the install was working. He stayed connected and watched progress for another hour until the installation process rebooted the computer the first time. Everything continued and seemed to be working. While I was away from the computer it rebooted again(the fans are loud so I can hear when it boots) and when I got back to the computer it said that the win7 32-bit install was not successful and was reinstalling my old OS. The microsoft tech called back and I told him what had transpired. Well now he says I have to do a custom install on the 32-bit...
I decide to talk to gateway and see what needs to be changed/fixed so I can install the 64-bit OS since I don't want to reinstall all my programs etc for 32-bit and then have to turn around and do it again for 64-bit. I figure they can help me out since my computer is still under warranty and the Gateway website says this computer is upgradable. Well bottom line is they won't help because I didn't buy the upgrade from them. They tell me I need to call their paid support line which costs 60 bucks for 30 minutes talking.
This forum is my last ditch effort to figure out what is wrong before I either tear all my hair out or just give up and install 32-bit win7 and forget ever going to a 64-bit OS. I really, really want to run win7 64-bit because I game a lot on this computer and it is supposed to be a lot better for that. My specs are below. Here are the questions. What do I have to do to be able to install win7 64-bit OS? Should I just give up and custom install the 32-bit?
User: SystemAdmin
Operating System: Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium Home Edition 6.00.6001 Service Pack 1
Report Date: Thursday 05 November 2009 at 07:53
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------
>>
> Mainboard : Intel OEMD975XBGG1
> Chipset : Intel i975X
> Processor : Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2400 MHz
> Physical Memory : 3072 MB
> Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
> Hard Disk : WDC (250 GB)
> DVD-Rom Drive : ATAPI DVD A DH16A1P ATA Device
> DVD-Rom Drive : ATAPI DVD D DH16D1P ATA Device
> Monitor Type : Gateway FPD1975W - 19 inches
> Network Card : PRO/1000 PM Network Connection
> Operating System : Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium Home Edition 6.00.6001 Service Pack 1
> DirectX : Version 10.00
> Windows Performance Index : 5.0
More System info
---------- System Overview ----------
Model: Gateway FX530
System name: DUALCORE
---------- Processor ----------
(4)Intel #6f7, 2400 MHz
266MHz external bus
---------- BIOS ----------
Intel Corp. LA97510J.15A.0285.2007.0906.0226 09/06/2007
---------- Memory ----------
3072MB physical
90% free resources
4 memory slots, 0 free (1024+1024+512+512)
---------- Video ----------
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS Screen Area/Colors: 1440x900 pixels, 16 million colors
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
---------- Disk ----------
C:\ (NTFS) 228243MB total, 73367MB free
D:\ (NTFS) 10228MB total, 4376MB free
E:\ CD-ROM/CD-RW or DVD Drive
F:\ CD-ROM/CD-RW or DVD Drive
G:\ Removable
H:\ Removable
I:\ Removable
J:\ Removable
---------- Modem/Network ----------
(net) Intel Intel PRO/1000 PM Network Connection
(net) Microsoft Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
(net) Microsoft isatap.Belkin
(net) Microsoft Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
(net) Microsoft RAS Async Adapter
---------- Windows OS ----------
Windows 6.0.6001 6.0.6001 SP1 (Windows 6.0.6001 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1) Original setup date: 8/19/2007 DirectX Version: 6.0.6000.16386 (vista_rtm.061101-2205) SWAP FILE DISABLED File cache managed by Windows
---------- Browser ----------
MSIE 8.0; 6.0; Trident/4.0; GTB5; SLCC1; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; Media Center PC 5.0; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; FDM; .NET CLR 3.0.30618; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; MS-RTC EA 2; msn OptimizedIE8;ENUS
Proxy: No proxy set
HTTP level: direct 1.1, proxy 1.0
Scripting version: 5.7.0.6000
---------- Hardware ----------
==== 1394 ====
Texas Instruments OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller (6/21/2006)
==== CD and DVD Drives ====
ATAPI DVD A DH16A1P ATA Device (6/21/2006) ATAPI DVD D DH16D1P ATA Device (6/21/2006)
==== Hard Drive Controllers ====
Intel 82801G (ICH7 Family) Ultra ATA Storage Controllers - 27DF (9/15/2006) IDE Channel (6/21/2006) IDE Channel (6/21/2006)
==== Hard Drives ====
WDC WD2500AAJS-00RYA0 (6/21/2006)
Generic USB CF Reader USB Device (6/21/2006) Generic USB MS Reader USB Device (6/21/2006) Generic USB SD Reader USB Device (6/21/2006) Generic USB SM Reader USB Device (6/21/2006)
==== Hidclass ====
USB Human Interface Device (6/21/2006)
==== Input Devices ====
Microsoft HID-compliant mouse (6/21/2006) Standard PS/2 Keyboard (6/21/2006)
==== Media ====
Creative Technology Creative SB X-Fi (5/28/2007)
==== Pdiports ====
Portrait Displays PDI Kernel Ports Device Driver (9/15/2006)
==== Ports ====
Intel Active Management Technology - SOL (COM3) (9/6/2006) Printer Port (LPT1) (6/21/2006) Communications Port (COM1) (6/21/2006)
==== Scsiadapter ====
Intel 82801GR/GH SATA RAID Controller (10/31/2006) Microsoft iSCSI Initiator (6/21/2006)
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srr2 @ 5th Nov 09:30AM:
Re: Hardware compatibility with Windows 7 64 bit
There's no reason why you should have any problem with 64-bit Windows on that hardware. Now, whether you can do an in-place upgrade is another matter, and may be dependent on some anomaly in the current system.
However, before I'd assume that's the problem, I'd verify that the Windows 7 DVD is readable from end to end (there's been more than a few reports of that kind of problem recently) and that your DVD drive is working properly.
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Shemei @ 5th Nov 09:50AM:
Re: Hardware compatibility with Windows 7 64 bit
I have two dvd players on this computer and have tried to use both of them to install the 64-bit win7. I can't install from either drive. I can browse the dvd and open all the folders on either drive. Some files won't run obviously but it appears to be readable.
I understand that the in place upgrade may not work due to something on my current system, and that is really not a huge issue for me. I am just trying to figure out why i can't install from the 64-bit dvd.
I have checked all my drivers etc and everything is up to date except the bios which has one update available. Could that be it? I really am leery of trying to flash my bios as I have heard horror stories about what can go wrong. But if that will fix this problem I will try it.
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Alakar @ 5th Nov 12:28PM:
Re: Hardware compatibility with Windows 7 64 bit
Looking at your hardware, there doesn't appear to be any reason why the x64 disc won't boot. It does sound like a bad disc. Do you have another computer you could try to boot it on? You don't have to install it, but just see if it will boot.
--
"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom; it is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves." William Pitt the Younger
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srr2 @ 5th Nov 02:50PM:
Re: Hardware compatibility with Windows 7 64 bit
Yeah.... bad disk. Looking at a directory listing doesn't tell you anything other than the directory itself is readable. You still know nothing about the individual files.
I don't know of any file-by-file hash listing unfortunately. That would be about the only way to know for sure.
Do you have a spare hard disk? Remove your existing system disk (or just open the case and move the power and SATA cables over) and see if your DVD will do a clean install.
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Punchline @ 5th Nov 03:57PM:
Re: Hardware compatibility with Windows 7 64 bit
There must be a way to return a defective disc for a replacement (if that is indeed the problem).
You could try a 64-bit version of Linux, or a live CD, but the above comments are correct of course - your hardware should run 64-bit Windows 7 without trouble (as far as I can tell).
-P
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Camelot One @ 6th Nov 09:52AM:
Re: Hardware compatibility with Windows 7 64 bit
Your "upgrade" from 32bit Vista to 64bit 7 problem is the junkware Gateway installs on their computers. (specifically, the crap that ties into the hardware level via drivers) There is nothing hardware wise in your list that would prevent a 64 bit install, but being a Gateway, you'll almost certainly have to do a clean (custom) install. My advice there is to always blow away the old install completely, and start fresh.
As for why the "upgrade" to 32bit failed, that concerns me, and I would have to agree with the others that you might have a bad disc.
--
Intel Q6600 @3400Mhz/GA-EP35-DS3P/4x 2048Mb G.Skill/WD Raptor 300Gb/3x WD20EADS 2TB/2x PNY GTX 260/Silverstone 850W/Custom water cooler
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Shemei @ 6th Nov 12:39PM:
Re: Hardware compatibility with Windows 7 64 bit
Thanks for all the replies! I am still trying to install the 64-bit version and no luck so far. Unfortunately I don't have access to another computer that is 64-bit capable to see if the disc is OK that way. I'm about ready to start polling the neighbors to see if any of them have a computer to use as a guinea pig.
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Camelot One @ 6th Nov 01:39PM:
Re: Hardware compatibility with Windows 7 64 bit
You could try one of the disc to iso apps. As it reads through it, you'd see if there are any read errors.
Are you trying to do a fresh install of x64?
--
Intel Q6600 @3400Mhz/GA-EP35-DS3P/4x 2048Mb G.Skill/WD Raptor 300Gb/3x WD20EADS 2TB/2x PNY GTX 260/Silverstone 850W/Custom water cooler
reply
djrobx @ 8th Nov 01:33PM:
Re: Hardware compatibility with Windows 7 64 bit
You might give this a try
»sergiomcfly.blogspot.com/2008/04···ing.html
Sounds like Vista x64 SP1 and above have a new "hybrid" EFI/legacy boot method that's different from older methods. It might be jamming your machine up in a special way. The above site gives you instructions on how to remaster the boot sector in a more "standard" fashion that may work on your computer. It certainly helped me get it installed on my Mac Pro.
--
AT&T U-Hearse
Your funeral. Delivered.
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anon @ 14th Nov 02:14PM:
Re: Hardware compatibility with Windows 7 64 bit
Best Buy geek squad has tried four times to install windows 7 to my new gateway came with vista.... we're at a point we are returning to Vista OS.
Just wanted to let others know I am also unsuccessful in changing over to windows 7 on my Gateway PC.
My Best Buy guys say this is the first problem like this they have run into installing windows 7.
So with the other comments on this site and my experience - it's some thing with Gateway computers compatibility with windows 7.
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Camelot One @ 14th Nov 02:37PM:
Re: Hardware compatibility with Windows 7 64 bit
said by salem user :
Best Buy geek squad has tried four times to install windows 7 to my new gateway came with vista....
The only conclusion I would draw from that is that it is time to take the computer to someone who knows what they are doing.
--
Intel Q6600 @3400Mhz/GA-EP35-DS3P/4x 2048Mb G.Skill/WD Raptor 300Gb/3x WD20EADS 2TB/2x PNY GTX 260/Silverstone 850W/Custom water cooler
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