IvanOhio

Steve,Generally it is recommended to do a clean install rather than a upgrade. You will have to go backwards in a way. If you are trying to upgrade a copy of Microsoft® Vista operating system then you would have to make sure everything including the two service packs are installed before using the upgrade method. Sort of backward approach if you willing to spend a day away doing it that way. A clean install of Microsoft® Windows 7 operating should only take about twenty minutes. And couple hours to install drivers for your mother board and all the updates. Before you do anything make sure you have the drivers for the motherboard. It sort sucks to start something and you do not have them. :( Just a heads up, I would suggest two software tools before installing FSX and any addons. They are from here at Windows® Sysinternals.The two tools I would suggest you get are Autoruns and Process Explorer. These two items can help you narrow down anything is effecting your startup and taking up resources on your system. The soundcard issue, if there is Microsoft® Windows Vista operating system drivers listed then use them. They generally work under Microsoft® Windows 7 operating system. Or even if you install Microsoft® Windows 7 operating system then use the Windows Update. Sometimes it looks over your system and looks for those drivers.Oh one more thing, I noticed in your signature what you have. That is quite a bit of addons. Do you have enough HD space for them? You might be surprised how fast all that adds up when installing it. Good luck.7

Suggest you check this out: How does WoW64 work?It might help with understanding how software, 32 bit, is treated in Windows 7.