Is Vista OEM really tied to either 32 or 64 bit?

[Skeeedunt]

I know this has come up before, but I couldn't find any threads with a definitive answer. I'll be picking up a new laptop soon, and so far it seems to be a mystery as to whether I can get Lenovo to install Vista Business 64-bit, so assuming it shows up with 32-bit...

Can I use the key to do a reinstall with 64-bit? Will it activate?

And if so, can I use retail media? Or does it have to be OEM media? Or magic Lenovo media?

I'll try to figure out from Lenovo if I can get 64-bit preinstalled, but given the high chance for miscommunication along the way (me->work->them), I'd like to know what my options are. (I'm planning to get 4 gigs - separately - if you're wondering why I care so much.)

Thanks in advance.

 

[ajchun]

i bought a laptop a couple months ago with vista home premium 32 bit. when i got it, i formatted it installed vista home premium 64 bit and ubuntu. it wouldn't activate over the internet and i had to call but had no problems getting a code from the lady on the phone.

as for media, i can't answer. i used my vista ultimate 64-bit disc to install on my laptop with the oem key.

 

[Noema]

You'd probably be able to activate via phone call as long as you are using the same hardware.

AFAIK it's the same license for both.

 

[Navid]

http://www.microsoft.com/windo...ta/editions/64bit.mspx

If you bought Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, or Business as a retail, packaged product, and you would like a DVD of 64-bit software media to install on your PC, please choose your language:

I'm not sure if that proves anything! But, it makes a reference to the retail package only.

 

[Mark R]

OEM media contains only one version, either 32 or 64 bit. Not both. This includes vista Ultimate.

However, all 32 bit and 64 bit install media is otherwise essentially the same - the product key determines which version (Home premium, Buiness, Ultimate) is installed.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: Mark R
OEM media contains only one version, either 32 or 64 bit. Not both. This includes vista Ultimate.

However, all 32 bit and 64 bit install media is otherwise essentially the same - the product key determines which version (Home premium, Buiness, Ultimate) is installed.

I don't think that was the question!

If you get a retail license of Vista Business, which comes with the 32-bit media, you can always order a 64-bit media and you only have to pay about $10.00 to receive it including shipping.
http://www.microsoft.com/windo...rdermedia/default.mspx
The same license can then be used for either 32-bit or 64-bit version.

The question is if you get an OEM license of Vista Business and you get the 32-bit media, can you do the same or is an OEM license tied to either 32-bit or 64-bit version?

 

[Mark R]

My understanding is that OEM licence is tied to the specific bitness specified at the time of purchase. It's like this to protect the OEM. If your OEM ships 32 bit software, MS won't upgrade it to 64 bit, as the OEM would have to support it, and they may not be able to.

I asked MS about this, when trying to get my express upgrades, the answer was that above, and that the upgrade would be the same bitness for the same reason.

 

[RebateMonger]

I haven't seen an answer to this question, but I'd suspect that Mark R's answer is correct.

Now, if you can get your hands on a 64-bit OEM DVD, then it MIGHT work with a 32-bit OEM Key. I just don't know.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
I haven't seen an answer to this question, but I'd suspect that Mark R's answer is correct.

Now, if you can get your hands on a 64-bit OEM DVD, then it MIGHT work with a 32-bit OEM Key. I just don't know.

The key will work, its just a media availability issue, so if the oem provides it he should be fine (or if he finds it, albeit the OEM isn't likely to post 64 bit drivers if they only support the 32bit version)

 

[Skeeedunt]

Thanks everyone, that all makes a good amount of sense. Lenovo supposedly has 64-bit drivers for the t61, and they even mention "Vista Business 32/64 bit", there's just no way to select 64-bit. I figure they might include it automatically if you get 4 gigs, but since I'm buying the memory separately, that won't help.

I'll probably give them a call Monday and see if I can figure out what's up. I'll report back if I find out anything useful, but knowing that I can probably (maybe) do a one-time switch to 64-bit is reassuring. I have 64-bit retail media from my home license, but I'll have to see if I can find OEM 64-bit somewhere.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: bsobel
The key will work, its just a media availability issue, so if the oem provides it he should be fine (or if he finds it, albeit the OEM isn't likely to post 64 bit drivers if they only support the 32bit version)

Yeah, that's pretty much what I figured. I have no idea how to get a Vista 64-bit OEM DVD without buying the whole package, complete with Key. Getting a RETAIL 64-bit DVD is easy...

 

[CZroe]

WTF happened to being able to select which version you want to install (32 or 64 bit)? This was promised back in the beta days. Not having it is severely hindering the transition to 64-bit. I see people purchasing two versions and dual-booting!

That said, I purchased Vista Ultimate OEM 64-bit for $199.99 at Fry's and the next day they were advertising Vista Ultimate OEM for $179.99. Because the version was not specified and they should be equals, I assumed they would be the same price. I assumed wrong. I got shot down during the price-match just because Vista Ultimate 64-bit is still $199.99 in their system.

Mainstream pricing of ONLY the 32-bit version will further hurt the adoption of 64-bit. What incentive to the driver makers have without a customer base frothing to use their discs to move up to 64-bit?

So, should I just return the 64-bit version for the cheaper 32-bit one and use the key to install off of someone else's 64-bit media? I was literally about to make a thread asking this when I saw this one and it boggles my mind that it hasn't been conclusively answered for OEM yet. Shouldn't this be an issue for more people?

 

[PepperBreath]

To answer your question, no.

I tried this a few days ago at work when a co-worker needed more than 2gb of RAM to run a particular calculation program. His computer had Vista 32-bit and after looking at the Microsoft site, I found that they would only send the 64-bit version to people who had the retail version.

Undaunted, I downloaded the retail version of the 64-bit Vista from the net (I won't say where I found it) and installed it using the product key on his computer. It installed just fine although it would not allow me to activate over the internet, only by phone. I activated it over the phone via an automated system and it was properly activated and installed.

So the key you got with your laptop will work fine with the 64-bit version, it's just that you'll have to find the 64-bit media to do it.

 

[Nothinman]

WTF happened to being able to select which version you want to install (32 or 64 bit)? This was promised back in the beta days. Not having it is severely hindering the transition to 64-bit.

As has already been said it exists in the retail Vista Business and Ultimate EULAs. It doesn't exist for OEM licenses because of support issues.

I see people purchasing two versions and dual-booting!

I see people doing lots of stupid things but that doesn't mean there's a good reason for it.

 

[CZroe]

It isn't helping the adoption of 64bt to treat them like two different products on the OEM side. Often, the 32-bit version goes on sale and not the 64it one! Fry's wouldn't even let me pricematch even though the ad didn't specify which. Bastards. Anyway, I'd like to try my key with an OEM 64bit install disc for my first activation, but it's like the thing doesn't exist even though I actually had it in my hands before I returned it! Just for kicks, I even looked at all the torrents and saw that only retail, unspecified, "Xin1" or "cracked" versions exist. Screw that!

 

[mikester]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
I haven't seen an answer to this question, but I'd suspect that Mark R's answer is correct.

Now, if you can get your hands on a 64-bit OEM DVD, then it MIGHT work with a 32-bit OEM Key. I just don't know.

The key will work, its just a media availability issue, so if the oem provides it he should be fine (or if he finds it, albeit the OEM isn't likely to post 64 bit drivers if they only support the 32bit version)

Can anyone confirm whether or not this works?

Here's my situation - I built a new machine and bought Vista 64-bit OEM. I'm not happy with the app support right now on 64-bit (several of my key apps have problems), so I want to switch to 32-bit.

What I would like to do is purchase the same flavor (Home Premium) 32-bit OEM version to get the media, and use the key from my 64-bit OEM - which has already been activated on that box and is therefore tied to that CPU. If I can reuse that key, then I can use the new key that came with the 32-bit version to install Vista on my media PC. If it doesn't work, then I'm stuck with paying twice for Vista for the same machine.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: mikester

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
I haven't seen an answer to this question, but I'd suspect that Mark R's answer is correct.

Now, if you can get your hands on a 64-bit OEM DVD, then it MIGHT work with a 32-bit OEM Key. I just don't know.

The key will work, its just a media availability issue, so if the oem provides it he should be fine (or if he finds it, albeit the OEM isn't likely to post 64 bit drivers if they only support the 32bit version)

Can anyone confirm whether or not this works?

Here's my situation - I built a new machine and bought Vista 64-bit OEM. I'm not happy with the app support right now on 64-bit (several of my key apps have problems), so I want to switch to 32-bit.

What I would like to do is purchase the same flavor (Home Premium) 32-bit OEM version to get the media, and use the key from my 64-bit OEM - which has already been activated on that box and is therefore tied to that CPU. If I can reuse that key, then I can use the new key that came with the 32-bit version to install Vista on my media PC. If it doesn't work, then I'm stuck with paying twice for Vista for the same machine.

My problem was that only 32-bit media goes on sale even though the ads don't specify x32 or x64. What I ended up doing was pricematching the 64-bit version at one place using the ad that didn't specify. I still have a 32-bit copy from the store taht failed to mention x32 or x64, but I didn't want to open it unless I knew for sure. The last of OEM non-modified images on the 'net wasn't comforting, and I had no idea where I would find a 64-bit OEM disc, so I just had to make a way. Sorry I couldn't confirm. I'm certainly still curious!

 

[mikester]

OK, I can now confirm that the keys for 32-bit and 64-bit OEM Vista are interchangeable. I originally bought 64-bit Vista Home Premium OEM, installed and activated it, and wasn't happy with the compatibility with some of my apps. Today I purchased a copy of 32-bit Vista Home Premium OEM and installed it using the 64-bit key and everything worked perfectly and it activated over the Internet. Now I have that second key available to use on one of my other PCs.

I don't know if this is 100% kosher according to the OEM software license, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. I paid for 2 copies of Vista which will run on 2 separate machines. Whether they are 32-bit or 64-bit shouldn't really matter to Microsoft. In fact, they came out ahead because the 64-bit version was $5 more.

 

[FiLeZz]

Originally posted by: mikester
OK, I can now confirm that the keys for 32-bit and 64-bit OEM Vista are interchangeable. I originally bought 64-bit Vista Home Premium OEM, installed and activated it, and wasn't happy with the compatibility with some of my apps. Today I purchased a copy of 32-bit Vista Home Premium OEM and installed it using the 64-bit key and everything worked perfectly and it activated over the Internet. Now I have that second key available to use on one of my other PCs.

I don't know if this is 100% kosher according to the OEM software license, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. I paid for 2 copies of Vista which will run on 2 separate machines. Whether they are 32-bit or 64-bit shouldn't really matter to Microsoft. In fact, they came out ahead because the 64-bit version was $5 more.

I also have jumped back and forth on 32 bit and 64bit using the same key just different media.

You will need media for both 64bit and for 32bit, depends on what you want to install..

 

[CZroe]

Thanks for the confirmation! Considering the usefulness, I wonder why these images aren't available on the 'net? Considering that the software is "licensed" to you, the medium obtained should not matter. I'm not talking about piracy either... even though it's strange that there don't seem to be OEM x64 ISOs around... what I'm suggesting is that Microsoft themselves should make them available for download. At the very least, there should be a "conversion kit" for making an ISO from your own media just like you could make your own slipstreamed disc before.

 

[crome197]

Does anyone have a Vista OEM 32bit Business copy, willing to trade it for a 64bit version.

 

[crome197]

Does ne1 know where I can obtain an ISO of a vista oem 32bit business?

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: CZroe
Thanks for the confirmation! Considering the usefulness, I wonder why these images aren't available on the 'net?

They are! I got mine through Microsoft Technet. I paid a subscription fee that allowed me to download the complete DVD - and 32-bit and 64 bit are separate downloads. (Also Office 2007) Each takes up the better part of a DVD.

Then I got keys in my subscription fee for all versions, and am able to install up to 10 copies of them under the same activation.

TechNet

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

So let me get this straight:

There are two Windows Vista DVDs out there for each flavor (home, business, ultimate) or Vista:

64-bit
32-bit

Retail versions of Vista Ultimate include both 32-bit and 64-bit install disks.
OEM and Academic versions of Vista Ultimate only include either 32-bit or 64-bit install disks.

1. If you buy a retail version of the 32-bit, you can get a 64-bit DVD shipped to you for $10 while still using the same CD-key that came with your 32-bit version.
2. If you buy the OEM version of the 32-bit, you CANNOT get a 64-bit DVD shipped to you. This includes academic versions.
-----a. However, the 32-bit OEM CD-key will work when installing the 64-bit version, provided you can somehow get the 64-bit install disk.
-----b. Since Microsoft won't ship you a 64-bit install disk if you have the 32-bit OEM version, you're forced to download the 64-bit install disk from some place like a torrent site? And after doing so you install the 64-bit version using the CD-key that came with your original 32-bit OEM version?

I recently purchased an Academic version of Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade for $100. The install disk that is included is the 32-bit version. I need 64-bit. Does this mean I have to try and find or download the 64-bit install disk somewhere since MS refuses to ship me this?

 

[crome197]

I'll have to check to torrents...