Windows 7

[Daboa]

I currently have Vista Home Premium 32-bit installed, but I can get 7 Professional 64-bit for a good deal.  Will I run into a lot of trouble (drivers and software-related) with this upgrade?  I only have 2GB RAM right now, but if I ever decide to increase that, I'd like to have the 64-bit capability. 

[cee_64]

You'll need to perform a clean install as you can't do an in place upgrade from 32bit to 64bit.

See the WIndows 7 upgrade page for information about your system.

[Daboa]

I know I need a clean install.  I just want to make sure I won't run into driver or software problems.  In "Performance Information and Tools," it says my laptop is capable of 64-bit.  What I want to know is if it's advisable.

[cee_64]

Reasons NOT to use 64bit WIndows

1. If you run any 16 bit applications. 
2. If you printer, scanner, camera, and other external devices do NOT have 64bit support.
3. If you have LESS than 3gig of ram, or don't plan to ever have more than 4gig.
4. If your system can ONLY hold 4gig of ram.  64bit Windows requires more ram to run than 32bit Windows.  On a system that can hold a max of 4gig of ram there is absolutely NO advantage in goint to 64bit Windows as your system will NOT run any faster nor will it be able to utilize more than a couple hundred MB's of additional memory. 

Based on the system specs for that system you will see no appreciable difference between 32bit and 64bit Windows.  It will run 64bit okay, but you won't notice the difference. 

[Daboa]

Ok, so because my model supports a max of 4GB, it is not worth upgrading to 64-bit.  Just to be sure, can I get anybody else to confirm this as well?