32bit Windows working, x64 not...

[Windows Central Question]

Hi,

I have an older laptop from Lenovo (X201 Tablet) without UEFI bios.

32bit version of Windows (doesn't matter if it's 7,8 or 10) works fine, but when I try to install a 64bit version, it gets stuck on the "loading windows" screen. I've tried to cheat this with a "all in one" DVD, installed the x64 version of Win 7, but it won't load. In normal startup mode, it hangs at the loading screen again, in safe mode it gets stuck on disk.sys.

I'm all out of ideas. So far I've tried:

different windows versions, 7, 8 and 10 either from OEM dvd or from a flash drive
3 different harddrives
4 different RAM modules
turn off almost everything in bios (except usb ports)
hdd in both AHCI and compatability mode

So any new ideas would be appreciated.

 

[charlatan1978]

Hi, is it definitely a 64 bit machine?
I only ask as according to the Lenovo support website (see below) the tablet can be 32 or 64 bit.

https://support.lenovo.com/gb/en/documents/pd010685

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[AlittleOne]

thanks for your reply. This one has an i7-640LM inside. It is 64 bit.

 

[charlatan1978]

Hi, not too sure then.
Is there a reason you need 64 bit loaded?
As the machine only has 4GB ram then 32bit should be fine.

 

[AlittleOne]

Yes, there is a reason. I've upgraded it from 2gb to 8gb. And before you ask, yes, the motherboard can handle it. It has been done before on this model.

 

[charlatan1978]

Ok, the tablet came with 32 bit Windows installed?
I believe your issues are due to the tablet being without a UEFI bios.
Have you tried updating the bios?

Check out this post also.
https://support.lenovo.com/gb/en/solutions/ht051844

 

[charlatan1978]

Also this post mentions about 32-bit and 64-bit UEFI.
64 bit - Possible to install 64-bit Windows on 32-bit UEFI? - Super User

 

[AlittleOne]

yes I've flashed bios to the latest available version. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the fact, that it doesn't have a UEFI bios, but I'm also pretty sure that it can be done and I'm just missing something stupid.