Solved Buying Vista 64

duxwig · Aug 29, 2008

This is a very newbie question, but google isnt giving me a straight answer.

If I go out and buy Vista Home Premium...is that 32bit by default, or 64/32 built into one?

Where do I buy Vista 64 if it is seperate?
I dont see anything listed at best buy or other computer stores that show the 64 bit edition if it is seperate.
Newegg shows a 64 bit version for builders(what?) but its $300.

Where can I go about buying the 64 bit version of Home Premium?
I have a E8400 and 4gb of ram, and 1gb of ram on my gfx card, so 32bit is a bit of a hinderance.

Brink · Aug 29, 2008

Hi Duxwig, and welcome to Vista Forums.

You should be able to order the 64 bit version of your Vista Home Premium directly from Microsoft for just $9.99 S&H. You will just need to use your 32 bit Vista Home Premium product key number when ordering it.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

Hope this helps,
Shawn

duxwig · Aug 29, 2008

Well that is a lot easier than I thought!

If I have XP Home, buy an upgrade that works w/ it the Vista Home (shows on chart should work)... will that be upgradeable to Vista 64?

When I receive the disk from MS, does it do a clean install over my O/S where I would lose all information or just kind of bandaid on top of it, where I can upgrade to Vista now and go about my business and not worry about it when I receive the 64 DVD?

thanks!

Brink · Aug 29, 2008

If you have a 32 bit Vista Home Premium product key number you should be able to order the 64 bit version DVD from Microsoft.

The 64 bit DVD will act just like a retail DVD. However, you must do a clean install for the 64 bit Vista when you have a installed 32 bit Vista. You cannot just simply upgrade the 32 bit to 64 bit.

duxwig · Aug 29, 2008

Ok, sounds good.
I shall install the upgrade today just to start getting used to Vista and have them send me the 64 bit copy and do the install afterwards.

Thank you very very much for your help!

Brink · Aug 29, 2008

Your welcome Duxwig.

Shawn

duxwig · Aug 29, 2008

Another question kind sir.

I think a relative may have a 64 bit version of windows. Have to call and check.
If it is the 64 bit version that matches w/ my Home Premium, am I able to use his DVD and enter my own 32bit product key to cut down on the shipping wait?
If it's a different version, I guess I'll just wait for the shipping

Just wanted to get things squared away faster

thanks, 10000*

Brink · Aug 29, 2008

Yes, you should be able to use their 64 bit Vista installation DVD to install it on your computer using your 32 bit Vista product key number. :geek:

All retail Vista installation DVDs have all the editions on it to install a 30 day trial version of it from. You just need the matching product key number for that edition to activate Vista for it not to be a trial version.

amplid · Aug 29, 2008

Hey, Brink, I didn't know that.:eek: Are you saying that, for example if I have an Ultimate 32-bit, I can use a friend of mines 64-bit and enter the key from my copy?! Isn't that 64-bit rregistered already on my friends mobo?
:sarc:

Amplid

Brink · Aug 29, 2008

Hi Amplid,

What holds the registered license information for Vista is the unique product key number for each Vista, not the DVD. You can use any retail Vista installation DVD to install Vista on any computer. You just need a different legal product key number you own for each install instead of theirs.

The same goes for the 64 bit Vista installation DVD, except that you would use the product key number from the same 32 bit Vista edition you own instead to activate the 64 bit Vista. You of course must do a clean install when going from a installed 32 bit Vista to a 64 bit version, and the other way around to.

amplid · Aug 29, 2008

That is intersting indeed!

Thanks Brink

Amplid

Brink · Aug 29, 2008

Your welcome Amplid.

duxwig · Aug 29, 2008

Brink said:
Hi Amplid,

What holds the registered license information for Vista is the unique product key number for each Vista, not the DVD. You can use any retail Vista installation DVD to install Vista on any computer. You just need a different legal product key number you own for each install instead of theirs.

The same goes for the 64 bit Vista installation DVD, except that you would use the product key number from the same 32 bit Vista edition you own instead to activate the 64 bit Vista. You of course must do a clean install when going from a installed 32 bit Vista to a 64 bit version, and the other way around to.

I spoke with my relative and he has a higher version of Vista 64 I think he said? Ultimate like the previous poster said?

If I bought Vista Home Premium 32bit, I use his more-featured Vista 64 to install Home Premium 64 from that same DVD and it will just downgrade me to the proper one I bought? It's just a universal upgrade? Or there does it only allow you to install from the same "lineage" that you currently have from a certain disk type? HomeP 32 -> HomeP64 DVD, Ultimate32 -> Ultimate64 DVD?
(specific 64 disks for each type?)

amplid · Aug 29, 2008

Duxwig, I don't think you'll be able to make that with your relative. The registration might be just with the product key, but for different versions, I am pretty sure it won't work. But I can be wrong off course...
Brink?

Amplid

roy69 · Aug 29, 2008

I knew you could change 32 bit to 64 on your own product key but not on all os. Cheers Brink.
Saying that an OEM version is alot cheaper than retail.

Brink · Aug 29, 2008

amplid said:
Duxwig, I don't think you'll be able to make that with your relative. The registration might be just with the product key, but for different versions, I am pretty sure it won't work. But I can be wrong off course...
Brink?

Amplid

You would have to install the same 64 bit Vista edition that your 32 bit Vista product key is for. In this case, Vista Home Premium. You cannot install a different edition if you want it activated.

WildEagle · Aug 29, 2008

People remember this, when purchasing an OEM version you have to specify at the time of purchase whether or not you want 32bit or 64bit Vista. For example if you buy 32bit OEM Vista, and then decide later on you want to go to OEM 64bit Vista, you have to buy a whole new OEM copy of Vista.

The OEM copy of Vista whether or not it is 32bit or 64bit is then tied to the hardware in your particular machine, and then you can change the hardware 10 times, before you have to call Microsoft to reactivate.

When I bought my OEM copy of Vista, I specified 64bit Vista right away, and don't regret getting 64bit Vista.

To answer roy69's question, yes OEM Vista is cheaper, but it is tied to the hardware in your machine. If you should have to put a new motherboard in, you will have to call Microsoft to reactivate Vista, whether or not you reinstall Vista, after putting in the new motherboard.

I had to call Microsoft to reactivate, as I recall after I put my 975XBX2 in my machine back in March.

usmc_nam_vet · Aug 29, 2008

Just a little info for those going to 64 from 32. You will need to get 64 bit drivers for most of your hardware. Go to manufactors site and check to see if 64 bit drivers are available for video, sound, printer, ect.

Brink · Aug 29, 2008

In addition,

You can also check here to see if your hardware and software is compatible with the 64 bit Vista. After you make your selection, click on 64 bit under System Type in the left pane.

Windows Vista Compatibility Center

Solved Buying Vista 64

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