Vista 32 to 64

[johnp126]

I have read on various sites including microsoft that the license is the same for the 32 bit and 64 bit versions. In fact the 64 bit OEM version is less expensive that the 32 bit one. We purchased a bunch of systems with the 32 bit vista version only because the 64bit was not available as of yet, but want to install the 64bit version. I have tried to get lenovo to send out the build / recovery cds to no avail. I have also had our vendor speak with Microsoft and even though its on their site, they are shuffling there feet. Does anyone have a clear understanding?

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb219721.aspx
Search on the page for "customers are free to choose" and you will see the section.

[tinue]

The critical issue seems to be that for OEM licenses the OEM has to do all the support. This includes delivering 64 bit media in exchange (or in addition) to 32 bit DVDs.

This is why you can't use the Microsoft website to request a 64 bit DVD, it is the OEMs job to give you one.

As far as I know no OEM actually does this. Lenovo at least gives you the choice of 32 or 64 bit when you order (at least now they do). Dell for example only offers 32 bit pre-installs even today.

The license key does work for 64 bit, all you have to find is a 64 bit installation DVD (preferably one which has SP1 already integrated). As with all OEM license key, you have to activate it via phone.

Alternatively, you can backup the license information of your running 32 bit preinstall onto a USB stick, and after installation of the 64 bit system restore it. Search with Google for "vista clean install guide" and you will find the tools necessary. Note that a Lenovo restore DVD would have an active license embedded, so there would be no bother with activation.

Regards, Martin

[bill bolton]

I have tried to get lenovo to send out the build / recovery cds to no avail.

As far as I'm aware, under the terms of their Microsoft OEM licence, Lenovo is not permitted to supply installation media for anything other than the specific OS (that includes whether its 32 bit or 64 bit) that was installed on the system at the time of purchase and is described on the COA.... unless Microsoft has made specific provision to allow that (as they have with XP downgrade on some specific versions of Vista 32).

OEM licencing is somewhat different to retail licencing. You are really on your own as far as getting hold of media for anything other than whatever shipped on the OEM system. The Vista key on the COA attached to the ThinkPad will none the less be valid on both 32 bit and 64 bit instances of the particular version of Vista concerned.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[Crunch]

I second that motion. Lenovo may not send you anything other than what you ordered through them. This also means if you buy a used one, which still has warranty. Whatever the initial configuration was, that's what you'll get.

[hart22]

OEM licencing is somewhat different to retail licencing. You are really on your own as far as getting hold of media for anything other than whatever shipped on the OEM system. The Vista key on the COA attached to the ThinkPad will none the less be valid on both 32 bit and 64 bit instances of the particular version of Vista concerned.

Cheers,

Bill B.

That said, is there any legitimate way of buying just the 64-bit Vista media without license key at a discounted price, in order to upgrade from 32-bit? I'd like to be able to use the full 4 GB of RAM that shipped with my X61T.

[tinue]

That said, is there any legitimate way of buying just the 64-bit Vista media without license key...

Not anymore, as far as I know. Before SP1 one could claim to purchase an "Anytime upgrade", but then just order the DVD for 7 dollars. Sadly, Microsoft "fixed" this loophole by now.

Regards, Martin

[bill bolton]

That said, is there any legitimate way of buying just the 64-bit Vista media without license key at a discounted price, in order to upgrade from 32-bit?

Provided you have a Vista licence key to start with, you could try following the process here..... http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1 ... fault.mspx.

It is intended to meet retail product "alternative media" needs, but may work with the Vista Key on the COA of a Thinkpad.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[hart22]

Thanks for the help! Doesn't look like my COA Vista key works with that order page though; I guess they aren't joking when they say it's for "retail product" alternative media needs.

[hart22]

Is the 64-bit Ultimate disc that ships in the retail package transferable, i.e. legal to be sold as a separate unit? I'm asking because I was wondering if it would be OK to post a WTB ad in the marketplace looking to purchase that disc alone, from a member that purchased the retail edition and only needs his 32-bit disc. Is that OK with the mods and admins?

Edit: Ah never mind... found the answer on Microsoft's site.

[makaveli559m]

I have Vista Business X64 installed on my desktop with 1.5 GIGs of RAM, it sort of out performs my Thinkpad my latptop has 2.0 gigs of RAM and it runs Visa Business 32bit.
_______________________________
Thinkpad Z61m 1.66Ghz Centrino Duo 250GB HD 2.0 GB of RAM 256 of VRAM Intel GMA Windows Vista Business

[hart22]

Well, I ended up getting Vista Ultimate 64-bit. NewEgg finally got the OEM DVD with SP1 integrated in stock today, so I grabbed it. Googling a bit seemed to suggest that my pre-SP1 Vista Ultimate COA would work fine with the SP1-integrated OEM 64-bit Vista, so I'm crossing my fingers...

Hopefully this way I can use my existing Ultimate license to install 64-bit on my X61T, and then use the key that comes with the new disc to install on my ThinkCentre. Or am I skirting the limits of what's legal here?

[bill bolton]

Hopefully this way I can use my existing Ultimate license to install 64-bit on my X61T, and then use the key that comes with the new disc to install on my ThinkCentre. Or am I skirting the limits of what's legal here?

As long as your have separate CoAs in some form (i.e. on the ThinkPad or on a disk etc) for each system, you should be fine!

Cheers,

Bill B.

[DesktopJinx]

I found a sympathetic soul in meatspace who lent me retail media and used a very good writeup on how to do a clean install as a guide. You can find the writeup if you Google vista clean install guide Stellan.

That writeup includes a link to a page that promises links to download Vista media and instructions for building your own disk. Alas, the download links appear to be Denied now... but perhaps another source can be found for the three files.

I harvested my Vista Ultimate preinstall key and used it to replace my preinstalled 32-bit OS with a clean 64-bit one. I don't know if other flavors of the preinstall key will work or if the key on the Genuine sticker (which apparently isn't the same as the preinstall key) will work across the 32-bit/64-bit barrier; some rumblings on the Interwebs indicate not.

Now that I've written this post it seems less helpful than I thought it might have been. (Perhaps if the download links had still worked...) My apologies for having rambled.

[steveg47]

... or if the key on the Genuine sticker (which apparently isn't the same as the preinstall key) will work across the 32-bit/64-bit barrier; some rumblings on the Interwebs indicate not.

Yes, it will work and normally does not require a call to Microsoft to activate; at least it worked for me on the HP desktops and T6X's that I have tried it with. And; it works for either 32 or 64bit Vista installs.
The install CDs were downloaded from Microsoft Technet.

[hart22]

Just installed 64-bit using my OEM disc from NewEgg with my COA key with no problems. Wow that install was fast, took around 25-30 minutes tops, drive partitioning etc included. And so far so good, everything runs great. I think I'm one of the few users who actually prefers Vista to XP, and 64-bit to 32-bit at that, too.

[mgo]

Just installed 64-bit using my OEM disc from NewEgg with my COA key with no problems. Wow that install was fast, took around 25-30 minutes tops, drive partitioning etc included. And so far so good, everything runs great. I think I'm one of the few users who actually prefers Vista to XP, and 64-bit to 32-bit at that, too.

Have you run the "bcdedit /set IncreaseUserVa 3072" (or smaller number, depending on how much ram you have)

and if so, how did it help if at all? Additionally, are you using any virtual memory, or do you have enough RAM to delete it? My Virtual Memory setting is just 200 mb, as per suggestion by Windows.

I'm running 64 bit Vista Biz with satisfactory results so far.

Are you aware of any decent 64bit programs yet?

Thanks!

[hart22]

I haven't run that command; what are its benefits? Right now I'm in the process of loading up all my programs and data, so virtual memory is still set at default. I think if things continue running as smoothly as they have been I won't touch that setting -- if it ain't broke, after all...

Every program I have runs fine in Vista 64-bit, even a very old statistical program written in 1998. Only Ad-Aware 2007 Pro doesn't work, but supposedly the updated version with 64-bit support is coming out next month; and also I was having trouble with my VPN. But as I installed XP Pro as a virtual PC in my setup I was able to get VPN working in that, so everything is fine now.

I saved around 10 GB doing a clean install, which puzzled me for a while considering 64-bit Vista takes a lot more space than 32-bit. Deleting the factory partition helped, as I burned the recovery media already. Also shaved around 10 seconds off my boot-up time, which is a little under a minute now. Very pleased so far.