Installing windows 7 64 bit on a pavilion dv6704nr which came with a 32 bit operating system.

[sdenue57]

New hard drive, switching from Vista 32 bit to Win7 64. Do I need to update the bios before trying this? Are there any other steps I need to take before installing Win7?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

It is good that you are asking questions about flashing the BIOS before you installed W7.

That is because others who did not ask questions first and installed W7, then flashed the BIOS' on their dv6000/dv9000 notebooks bricked them.

Yes I suggest you update your BIOS to the lastest version while you still have vista on there because of a fix released in F.33 which I quote...- Fixes an issue where a message that says to replace the battery is incorrectly displayed when upgrading the operating system to a Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System.

Most likely folks saw this after they installed W7, may have gotten that error and flashed the BIOS.

Well, the one thing they didn't have to worry about anymore was that error. That is because the notebook was dead after the flash.

Note that the instructions clearly state the flash is good for XP and Vista. There is no mention of W7.

Flashing the BIOS when you know what you are doing and read everything still is risky. I personally minimize those risks when forced to update the BIOS through Windows, by flashing the BIOS in Windows Safe Mode.  That minimizes running processes--expecially antivirus programs which could cause the BIOS flash to fail.

The only other thing I recommend you do is to read this helpful dv6K/dv9K upgrade guide at the link below.

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-Systems-and/Windows-7-Upgrade-Guide-for-dv6000-dv900...

I don't anticipate you will have any issues. I installed W7 x64 on my dv6810us notebook and had no problems.

If you run into any issues, please do not hesitate to post back and we'll see what we can do to help.

Paul

[sdenue57]

I don't have any os on it now. How do I flash the bios without safe mode? I always assumed safe mode was a windows program. Also, should I go to Phoenix's website and download and burn to a cd? 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

When I read your post, I was under the impression you hadn't switched anything yet.

You cannot use any flash file but the one from your notebook's support and driver page.

The BIOS is made for specifically for HP as far as I know. I do not believe you can use a generic Phoenix flash file.

You need to install Vista and flash using that OS, when using the HP flash file. You can't extract the DOS files out of it.

[sdenue57]

My recovery discs won't reinstall Vista because the hdd I bought is an Advanced Format Type drive. I posted on the Recovery forum and was told an AFT drive will not work with the recovery discs. Figured I would just upgrade to Win7. Is there no other way to install Win7 without reinstalling Vista?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You can install W7.

Just don't flash the BIOS after you install it.

Maybe you won't get the false "replace battery" warning.

If you do, you will have to live with it.

[sdenue57]

I can live with that, unless its in huge letters across the whole screen, lol. Still update the chipset and rest of the drivers after installing Win7 though, correct?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

It is probably one of those low key error windows you get on the bottom right of the screen that you can close, I'm sure.

Yes...Install the chipset driver first, video second, audio third, and then the rest.

You will need to use the Vista x64 drivers for these items from your notebook's support and driver page.

[sdenue57]

Thanx alot for the help. Kudos to you. Will post back to let you know if it worked. Here's hoping, lol

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Everything should go just fine (as long as W7 can install on an advanced format HDD).

Good luck with your upgrade, and I am looking forward to reading about your successful upgrade..