Can I use windows 7 64 bit restore disk to repair windows 7 32 bit ?

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Hello, I have a Toshiba lap top that will not start windows. I get an error message saying there’s been an error click ok to shut down.
I don’t have a recovery disk for the lap top and would like to use recovery disk from another desktop that is running windows 7 64 bit.

Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

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In a word, no. The ‘bit-ness’ has to match between machine and media. Also, I’ve never tried a “recovery disc” (that is, the disc one burns at Windows prompting when setting up a new PC) from one machine to another. But I don’t think that would work, even if they were the same ‘bit-ness’.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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bbearren, I’m not looking to re-install only to have access to the recovery tools from CD since I’m unable to run recovery from the HD.

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I doubt it would work either.
You’re better off downloading a boot disk.
(One made from a 32 bit W7 that is)
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=38435
or
http://www.techfleece.com/2012/10/18/download-windows-7-install-disks-legally-for-free/

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It would be nice to know if the Toshiba Notebook has a 32-bit CPU or 64-bit CPU. Most Notebooks of the last few years had 64-bit CPUs even though the 32-bit version of Windows was installed but there some that are only 32-bit which can’t run anything meant for 64-bit computers. The 64-bit computers can run 32-bit things.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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Berton, I downloaded ISOs for both W7Pro 32 and 64 bit. I think the Great Wall of China was built faster than my DSL

OP, if you are a license holder of Windows [the one from Microsoft, not OEM], you might try to call Microsoft and ask if you can purchase a replacement for your missing CD/DVD. I have no idea how much they would charge you if they could sell you a replacement for your missing CD/DVD.

"Take care of thy backups and thy restores shall take care of thee." Ben Franklin, revisted

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To all of you that took the time to reply – I thank you.
I have found that the lap top is in fact 64 bit Windows Home Premium and have tried the recovery disk made on another 64 bit PC. Recovery tool tells me the registry is corrupt and I’ve tried to revert back to two different restore points with no luck. Still working to get this one running again.

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You can download a Win 7 32 bit SP1 ISO from http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/page-2#post-124821 and use http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool to create a bootable USB/DVD which will get you into the RE when you select Repair your Computer.

The same options as Repair your Computer when booting normally into the Advanced boot option (F8) will be available except the factory reset where you can run the Startup Repair.

Had anything occurred prior to the machine failing to boot ?

If the laptop has more than one RAM module fitted, then try the boot with just either of the RAM sticks, because if one has gone down, it will pull the other down and the machine won’t boot – you could also try gently cleaning their pins, either with an eraser or spirit and cotton buds.

This article will guide you though the full trouble shooting, including hyperlinks for other tools you can use – and good luck. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html

EDIT

Just seen your update.

You can create a 64 bit ISO from the same site and boot up with that.

After selecting Repair your Computer and navigating to the RE select Command Prompt and enter –

bcdedit |find “osdevice” (that’s a Pipe symbol before find)

Using whichever partition letter it gives, enter (assuming C )

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C: /offwindir=C:Windows (there’s a space before each forward slash)

and see what that reports.

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Sudo, thank you. I have been reading about downloading the windows ISO USB/DVD and using it for recovery. Will do this and will try the RE commands.

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Sudo, thank you. I have been reading about downloading the windows ISO USB/DVD and using it for recovery. Will do this and will try the RE commands.

Another reason for file corruption could be bad sectors on the HDD, so you may also have to run a chkdsk /r

EDIT

Forgot to add that if the offboot sfc /scannow reports that it is unable to repair some files and you need to run chkdsk from the booted RE – the command will be chkdsk c: /r or whatever partition letter it gave.

The find “osdevice” has only ever given C for mine so I presume if it lists a different letter to run the sfc /scannow then it would probably need to use that drive letter for the chkdsk /r.

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