Thinkpads Forum

Hi. I just received my first ThinkPad, an x61s L7700 with 4GB ram. It is running Vista Ultimate. I have no prior experience with Vista. When I researched the "Windows doesn't see all 4GB ram" question, it appears that I could be running 64-bit Vista on this machine. Pardon the newbie questions here:

- Does this processor indeed support 64-bit processing?

-If so, why don't these machines come with 64-bit Windows? Is it not something I should upgrade to for some reason?

-Microsoft says that anyone who buys Vista retail gets both the 32-bit and the 64-bit versions in the box. Do you know if Lenovo offers customers the 64-bit option? I did not see it when I ordered the machine online.

Thanks for your input.

Vince

pdxrain wrote:- Does this processor indeed support 64-bit processing?

Yes.

pdxrain wrote:If so, why don't these machines come with 64-bit Windows?

Vista x64 has no support for 16 bit applications, which will break some older applicatoions. While many 32 bit Windows applications will run on Vista x64 platforms , there are some that won't without upgrade/modfication.

Pragmatically, for suppliers Vista x64 needs to be a deliberate choice by the user, not an automatic supply default.

pdxrain wrote:Microsoft says that anyone who buys Vista retail gets both the 32-bit and the 64-bit versions in the box. Do you know if Lenovo offers customers the 64-bit option?

Sorry, can't answer this one accurately.

Cheers,

Bill B.

pdxrain wrote:Microsoft says that anyone who buys Vista retail gets both the 32-bit and the 64-bit versions in the box. Do you know if Lenovo offers customers the 64-bit option? I did not see it when I ordered the machine online.

Thanks for your input.

Vince

Only those who buy Vista Ultimate (retail version) receive physical media for both 32 and 64-bit versions.

However, if you have a 32-bit vista key, it is also valid for the same version of vista (basic/premium/ultimate/business) in 64-bit.

To switch to 64-bit vista using your OEM key, you only need to obtain the 64-bit media, which is free from Microsoft - you just pay shipping (<$10, depending on location)

http://www.windowsanytimeupgrade.com/disc

You could also obtain the DVD media from a friend or something - that is completely legit as long as you have a legitimate key code to activate the software. There are only 2 versions of the Vista DVD: 32-bit (all editions) and 64-bit (all editions). Again, each DVD contains every version of vista - it is the key code which determines if basic/premium/ultimate/business is installed.

Thanks for the informative replies!

Can one partition the hard drive and have both as a dual boot system?


Also, for anyone who has installed and used 64-bit Vista on an x6x: Do you notice a significant difference in performance?


-Vince

the above info is wrong, the alternate media from MS is only valid for Retail Vista, if you have an OEM Copy (like what comes on our lenovo computers) you will have to purchase another copy of Vista. I would recommend Retail and not another OEM. I know because I was just denied by MS's website so I called them and they told me the 64 bit upgrade is only for retail copys (my copy does not count because it is OEM - pre-installed).


Thank god I didn't blow $200 more for OEM ultimate! That would have been a serious waste of money.

Grrrrrrr Strill frustrating but I'll figure out something...

all you need is a vista anytime upgrade DVD and a freeware app called ABR to back up your activation file and OEM key.

follow this guide: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783

i used this method to upgrade vista ultimate x86 to x64 on my T61p and it works flawlessly.

erik wrote:all you need is a vista anytime upgrade DVD and a freeware app called ABR to back up your activation file and OEM key.

follow this guide: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783

i used this method to upgrade vista ultimate x86 to x64 on my T61p and it works flawlessly.

Where do you get the disk for $7? Microsoft refused to send me the 64 bit version of XP, they specialy told me OS's pre-installed by Lenovo are not covered to get the anytime upgrade dvd, thats the whole problem?

Also going to the MS website and entering my serial number says I am not covered for any upgrades to 64. Does that mean I got a fake serial from Lenovo? How do I get the anytime upgrade DVD do I need to get it from lenovo?!

Jackboot wrote:

pdxrain wrote:Microsoft says that anyone who buys Vista retail gets both the 32-bit and the 64-bit versions in the box. Do you know if Lenovo offers customers the 64-bit option? I did not see it when I ordered the machine online.

Thanks for your input.

Vince

However, if you have a 32-bit vista key, it is also valid for the same version of vista (basic/premium/ultimate/business) in 64-bit.

To switch to 64-bit vista using your OEM key, you only need to obtain the 64-bit media, which is free from Microsoft - you just pay shipping (<$10, depending on location)

http://www.windowsanytimeupgrade.com/disc

Microsoft Representative I spoke to told me the OEM copies we have installed are not covered, I must go buy another copy of Vista (Retail) in order to get any CD's from MS. I was trying to get teh 64 bit version for $10, but they would not ship it. windowsanytimeupgrade website also denied the serial number on the bottom of my laptop (hence why I called MS directly)... What is the next course of action?

Justintoxicated wrote:
Microsoft Representative I spoke to told me the OEM copies we have installed are not covered, I must go buy another copy of Vista (Retail) in order to get any CD's from MS. I was trying to get teh 64 bit version for $10, but they would not ship it. windowsanytimeupgrade website also denied the serial number on the bottom of my laptop (hence why I called MS directly)... What is the next course of action?

What are you talking about?? Just go to this site: http://www.windowsanytimeupgrade.com/disc and fill out the info. It costs about $10 for shipping, but that's it. There is no need to type in any serial number/key/etc. I used this site and ordered the 64-bit disc.

Guess MS was trying to leech money from me as usual, hard to believe such a wealthy corperation would stoop to those levels, telling me there is no way to get the 64 bit version if I did not buy retail...grrrrr

I'm just going to find smeone with a copy and use that, they are not getting any more of my money for trying to pull that one!

Oh yea, and I spoke to 3 people, not just one moron!

Justintoxicated wrote:Guess MS was trying to leech money from me as usual, hard to believe such a wealthy corperation would stoop to those levels, telling me there is no way to get the 64 bit version if I did not buy retail...grrrrr

technically microsoft was correct as the anytime upgrade DVD is supposed to be used to upgrade your license, which costs money.   what we're doing is changing the bit architecture from 32 to 64 without an upgrade.   for example, you cannot go from vista business 32 to vista ultimate 64 without paying money.

erik is right - technically going from 32 to 64-bit is not an "upgrade".

You can also download the 64-bit "anytime upgrade" DVD directly from Microsoft's software delivery partner, digital river, at no cost at all. This download is NOT cracked or pirated download - it is an official download of the "anytime upgrade" DVD and only works with a valid key code. You can extract your valid key code by following the instructions linked to on notebookreview earlier in this thread.

Jackboot wrote:erik is right - technically going from 32 to 64-bit is not an "upgrade".

You can also download the 64-bit "anytime upgrade" DVD directly from Microsoft's software delivery partner, digital river, at no cost at all. This download is NOT cracked or pirated download - it is an official download of the "anytime upgrade" DVD and only works with a valid key code. You can extract your valid key code by following the instructions linked to on notebookreview earlier in this thread.

Yea but when I spoke to the rep he said there is no way to change to 64 bit version fromm 32 bit version with an OEM copy (pre-install). I clearly explained what I was trying to do 9Change from 32 bit vista basic to 64 bit Vista basic because of memory limitations) and I told him that have heard over and over it has been done before, he made up some rule about only being able to get the anytime upgrade if you have a retail copy (which is why I responded here). He just simply lied to me to get me to buy another copy, so now I will find a copy elsewhere, rather than paying anything even $10 shipping to M$.

Justintoxicated wrote:He just simply lied to me

No, you just didn't get the answer you wanted to hear, which is something quite different and no sensible reason to accuse anyone of lying or being moronic.

Cheers,

Bill B.

Justintoxicated wrote:Yea but when I spoke to the rep he said there is no way to change to 64 bit version fromm 32 bit version with an OEM copy (pre-install).

you need to understand that the microsoft rep is correct.   as far as microsoft is concerned, there is no way to use an anytime upgrade DVD with an OEM volume license key to install a different bit architecture version of vista.

the ABR utility is third-party software which allows you to strip your activation files and replace them via various changes (and loopholes) in permissions on that file.   without this utility or your own thorough knowledge of the activation file replacement procedure, the aforementioned process would not be possible whatsoever and you would have to buy a new license.

Justintoxicated wrote:...so now I will find a copy elsewhere, rather than paying anything even $10 shipping to M$.

as was said above, you can download an ISO of the DVD from microsoft for free.

I can tell you from personal experience. You can buy a 32-bit Vista Ultimate OEM (cheapest option from NewEgg) and then install instead a 64-bit Vista from any Vista 64-DVD and use the 32-bit key, and it will install and be recognized without a problem. Microsoft doesn't track if an ultimate key is 32 or 64 bit.

Flashman wrote:I can tell you from personal experience. You can buy a 32-bit Vista Ultimate OEM (cheapest option from NewEgg) and then install instead a 64-bit Vista from any Vista 64-DVD and use the 32-bit key, and it will install and be recognized without a problem. Microsoft doesn't track if an ultimate key is 32 or 64 bit.

while a retail (whether it be in retail or OEM packaging) vista key will work with 32- or 64-bit, microsoft does restrict OEM volume license key (VLK) activation.   if you try to install vista ultimate 64 using the 64-bit anytime upgrade DVD and an OEM lenovo ultimate 32 VLK, your installation will fail activation -- the main point here being activation, not the key(s).

the goal is to change the bit architecture of vista without spending any (or very little) money in the process since a valid license was already purchased with the thinkpad itself.   the guide on NBR allows this for free or at most $7.   if this process didn't work and one had to go out and buy a retail or OEM version of vista just to change the bit architecture then none of the above discussion about keys or activation would matter.

erik wrote:if you try to install vista ultimate 64 using the 64-bit anytime upgrade DVD and an OEM lenovo ultimate 32 VLK, your installation will fail activation -- the main point here being activation, not the key(s).

Internet-activation of an OEM key always fails, at least the first time (later re-activation due to hardware changes sometimes works). I don't think this has anything to do with 32 or 64 bit.

After the failed internet activation Vista explains how to use the phone to activate. This again will fail, and ultimately you will have a person on the phone. S/he will ask you a few questions (none of them about 32 or 64 bit), and then give you the activation number sequence.

The above is true for an OEM license purchased from a reseller, so I can't be sure it is true for Lenovo OEM licenses as well.

Regards, Martin

erik wrote:

Justintoxicated wrote:Yea but when I spoke to the rep he said there is no way to change to 64 bit version fromm 32 bit version with an OEM copy (pre-install).

you need to understand that the microsoft rep is correct.   as far as microsoft is concerned, there is no way to use an anytime upgrade DVD with an OEM volume license key to install a different bit architecture version of vista.

the ABR utility is third-party software which allows you to strip your activation files and replace them via various changes (and loopholes) in permissions on that file.   without this utility or your own thorough knowledge of the activation file replacement procedure, the aforementioned process would not be possible whatsoever and you would have to buy a new license.

Justintoxicated wrote:...so now I will find a copy elsewhere, rather than paying anything even $10 shipping to M$.

as was said above, you can download an ISO of the DVD from microsoft for free.

Where can I download it? MS wants to chage me $7 for shipping. I dont see any place on the URL above to doanload it for free and I refuse to pay for something that should be free. Also if I try to change the version and I select Home Basic it only give me options for Premium and ultimate, theres no option to just change to 64 bit? How did they get the total to say 0?

In the meantime I'm not even using the laptop, because I know it needs a re-format if I'm ever going to see that last GB of memory I put in it.

Justintoxicated wrote: Where can I download it? MS wants to chage me $7 for shipping. I dont see any place on the URL above to doanload it for free and I refuse to pay for something that should be free.

Just spend the $7 and be done with it. Life is too short....

dfumento wrote:

Justintoxicated wrote: Where can I download it? MS wants to chage me $7 for shipping. I dont see any place on the URL above to doanload it for free and I refuse to pay for something that should be free.

Just spend the $7 and be done with it. Life is too short....

How do I know they are going to send basic for $7 and not some other version? or does it send one CD for all versions? I can't figure out how to navigate to that page that says $7 shipping and no charge for the CD without clicking directly on the link above, if I go back to choose the OS, the option to change from 32 o 64 bit is not there, the only options are to upgrade to premium or ultimate. I'd feel safer knowing how to navigate to the above link on my own.

Justintoxicated wrote:How do I know they are going to send basic for $7 and not some other version? or does it send one CD for all versions? I can't figure out how to navigate to that page that says $7 shipping and no charge for the CD without clicking directly on the link above, if I go back to choose the OS, the option to change from 32 o 64 bit is not there, the only options are to upgrade to premium or ultimate. I'd feel safer knowing how to navigate to the above link on my own.

Ok, I think you are making it a bit more complicated than it needs to be. There are only two CDs: a 32-bit version, and a 64-bit version. The CDs have all the versions of Vista on them.

So, just click on the link, change it to 64-bit version and go...

I'd rather thow my thinkpad in the trash than give another $7 to M$ for something that is supposedly free. If it is so free then why not provide a working download link. They say how great all their new encryption is etc but they are not showing their confidence. All I wan't is Vista Basic or home premium (I have valid serials for both)but 64 bit rather than 32 bit and they can't even give me that...Well then I can't give them my $7 either...

Followed the turotial to the T but the 3.2 gig 64 bit download always cuts out early around 2-2.5 GB. So I can never get v-lite to recognize the directory because the doanload sows complete pre-maturely.

Any decent Lenovo support for any linux flavors I have about had it with microsoft?

edit finaly completed the download properly from another machine.

Justintoxicated wrote:I'd rather thow my thinkpad in the trash than give another $7 to M$ for something that is supposedly free.

boycotting $7 won't make one billionth of a percent of difference to microsoft's overall income for 2008 so why make such a big deal about it?   if you hate microsoft so much then why do you want to use their OS in the first place?

i'm glad your "free" download worked but the purpose of this thread is to aide the transition from 32- to 64-bit vista.   please stay on-topic and keep the complaints to a minimum.   thanks