Ok, so my Uni is giving me some free software for my studies, basically I can get a 64 bit version of Windows 7 (even though I could have got this free anyway with my laptop but they would have given me a 32 bit version).

Many sites state I must check my software etc. I found a tool which states my processor supports 64-bit, but what else do I need to check and how do I go about doing it?

I think you'll be okay as long as your computer meets (or exceeds) the system requirements. Most of the problems occurred during the Windows Vista release and have been fixed now. I have 64 bit Vista ultimate on one of my computers and it runs avast anti-virus and many other 32 bit programs flawlessly. Here's some links that might help you out:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows...asked-questions

http://windows.microsoft.com/systemrequirements

If your processor supports 64bit you should be good to go.

64bit allows you to have more RAM, so you can have over 4 gigs (if your motherboard permits).

It says it is 64 bit capable which is good. I just found that my manufacturer wants me to pay £13 to upgrade to Windows 7 through the Wndows 7 upgrade option when you purchased the laptop after the 22 June.

Anyhow, my uni is offering Windows Pro 7, so I'll download it now. Apart from the obvious backing up of files, s there anything else that I should do, e.g. download potential new drivers or what have you. I currently have Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit OEM.

If you currently have 32bit and you're getting 64bit, you'll need to do a clean install.

Windows update should cover most/all of your drivers, but it will be handy to have your driver install disk that you received with the computer ready.

If you have saved passwords in firefox you want to save, you can use this to export them as an xml file, then import it when you reinstall firefox.

I made all the back ups and then used CDBurnerXP to make an iso image onto cd of the file. However whenever I restart my computer, it never boots up from the CD. Any helps please? It just goes to the login page as normal

I know on my Dell you can either hit f12 to enter the BIOS and then select from there to boot from a CD, but that never works.

I had to hit f2 which loads directly into the boot options to boot from the CD.

Ah yes, I did try that, but it wanted me to change the order of the boot. I was unsure whether to do this and what have you.

You'll want to make it CD/DVD drive to boot from the CD.

On some computers, there is a one-time boot menu. It's F12 for me and allows me to choose where to boot from only this time instead of changing the boot order in the BIOS.

Gotta love the MSDN. I got a lot of good, free stuff from there.