32 to 64 bit upgrade question

I'm currently running a system with Vista Ultimate 32 bit. I have th
hardware for x64, but just haven't made the switch(core 2 quad core
DS3R board, 8600gt, etc.). My question is the following. I i
possible to retrieve system information, files, etc.. from a 32 bi
Vista full backup copy and put that info into the newly installed x6
bit OS, or do I have to use the easy transfer wizard backup thingy.
tried to use the file and settings transfer wizard (as it suggests tha
you do on the Microsoft website) but it was anything but convenient.
left it running for about 13 hours and it still hadn't completed makin
the backup image. I suppose that my only problem with the Eas
settings and transfer gizzy is the time issue
Oh, the system hadn't frozen. i could still see it ticking awa
and was able to successfully cancel the sequence. I'm using a 500 GB I
DATA external to store the backup coming from a 400 GB western Digita
(internal). Of course all USB 2.0

--
cholupa2

Yes, if you copy the files directly over to the external HD, you can just
put them back (some may require changing ownership; i.e. specific user
settings and files). You will need to reinstall your programs, though. If
you use a backup program, you will need that program installed (usually) on
the new install to restore the files.


--
Dustin Harper

http://www.vistarip.com | Vista Resource & Information Page


"cholupa2" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> I'm currently running a system with Vista Ultimate 32 bit. I have the
> hardware for x64, but just haven't made the switch(core 2 quad core,
> DS3R board, 8600gt, etc.). My question is the following. I it
> possible to retrieve system information, files, etc.. from a 32 bit
> Vista full backup copy and put that info into the newly installed x64
> bit OS, or do I have to use the easy transfer wizard backup thingy. I
> tried to use the file and settings transfer wizard (as it suggests that
> you do on the Microsoft website) but it was anything but convenient. I
> left it running for about 13 hours and it still hadn't completed making
> the backup image. I suppose that my only problem with the Easy
> settings and transfer gizzy is the time issue.
> Oh, the system hadn't frozen. i could still see it ticking away
> and was able to successfully cancel the sequence. I'm using a 500 GB IO
> DATA external to store the backup coming from a 400 GB western Digital
> (internal). Of course all USB 2.0.
>
>
> --
> cholupa2

Great, thanks for the reply. Another question though. When I first
installed Vista, I had a .. well, quite a major problem actually, and
ended up having to reformat my drive. Following that debacle, I had to
search the web to find a program that would allow me to access the data
from my old XP backup copy. In that situation everything came up roses
because i was able to find a program(Third party)which allowed me to
view and retrieve all files. However, I was unable to simply have the
programs "Installed" via the restore process because the backup copy, if
my recollection serves, was inaccessible through Vista. So I guess it
all boils down to this.
1. will the restore function work on an x64 OS if coming from a 32 bit
backup(standard windows complete backup)?

2. If not, will the easy file and settings transfer doohickey allow me
to simply click and restore, including programs for which I no longer
have the original installs?

If the answer to no. 2 is yes, I will do that, but that will be quite
inconvenient (assuming that by ratio the easy transfer file would have
finished at about 16 hours, with install following at about 1.5 hours,
and possibly another 16 hours to complete) that puts the process at
33.5 hours if I act with split-second precision.
Considering my complete backup just completed after only 2 hours,
well the obvious statements would follow......


--
cholupa2

Great, thanks for the reply. Another question though. When I first
installed Vista, I had a .. well, quite a major problem actually, and
ended up having to reformat my drive. Following that debacle, I had to
search the web to find a program that would allow me to access the data
from my old XP backup copy. In that situation everything came up roses
because i was able to find a program(Third party)which allowed me to
view and retrieve all files. However, I was unable to simply have the
programs "Installed" via the restore process because the backup copy, if
my recollection serves, was inaccessible through Vista. So I guess it
all boils down to this.
1. will the restore function work on an x64 OS if coming from a 32 bit
backup(standard windows complete backup)?

2. If not, will the easy file and settings transfer doohickey allow me
to simply click and restore, including programs for which I no longer
have the original installs?

If the answer to no. 2 is yes, I will do that, but that will be quite
inconvenient (assuming that by ratio the easy transfer file would have
finished at about 16 hours, with install following at about 1.5 hours,
and possibly another 16 hours to complete) that puts the process at
33.5 hours if I act with split-second precision.
Considering my complete backup just completed after only 2 hours,
well the obvious statements would follow......


--
cholupa2