Vista 32bit to 64bit

I need help....yet again

I believe the vista dvd that came with this alienware is 32-bit only, since that's what's currently installed. It's a black alienware disk and says "vista home premium" at the top. Does that also contain the 64bit installation?

On the bottom of my m15x it has the little vista sticker with my "product key" but it's an OEM. My friend has a 64-bit home premium install disk that he bought...can I use that disk with my key on the bottom or is this key "32bit exclusive"?

What are my options? I want 64bit like right now, so what should I do?

 

your own vista disc does not contain 64bit. as for the second option, no one's really sure. i've heard that calling and entering the key by phone to unlock the windows version of your choice works.

 

i think the vista 32 bit key works with 64 bit vista but your cd doesn't include 64 bit

 

Well, I'll try it! Hopefully if it turns out not working by that point in the installation I can still reboot with my 32 bit and don't have to re-install it again lol.

 

Lol um weird...I just installed vista 64bit. And it never asked for my key, ever. I mean I can reboot, install stuff, run stuff, everything. I've got a fresh install of vista 64bit and it never had me put my key in or anything

 

30 days till it ask you for the key XD

 

Ah I found that little spot in system (cp). Down at the bottom. I entered in the product key from the bottom of my m15x....and it worked! Authorization successful! The key worked with 64bit I'm soo happy!

 

so the key works with a non-OEM install disc? sweet...

 

Yup! Nobody had tried that yet?

 

well, probably someone has. the only thing i fear is that the key won't work with a 64bit OEM disc

 

Ive used my AW OEM key to install Vista 64 with success. For about 3 days till i hated that 2x program files thing and revered back to 32bit

But yea it should work. Just make sure its the same version of Vista, home for home, ultimate for ultimate and so on.

 

from what kind of disc did you install, coolmine?

 

Borrowed my friends Dell Vista dvd

You wont be able to find any legal copies in the internet. At least I couldnt find any after a week of searching. So the only two choices you have is borrowing a friends cd (which dont think is illegal since you are using your own legit cdkey for it). Or order one from MS for $10.

 

yes, but was the DVD one your friend bought in a store, or recieved with his computer from Dell?

 

He got it from dell so its probably an OEM version. But during my search for a dvd ive came a cross a lot of people that said they had success installing Vista using and OEM key for a non OEM Vista version.

You have two ways to make sure it will work 100%. Make an image with acronis (takes like 10 mins to restore) so no biggy and try the dvd you have.
Or, install VMware and try install it there. That way you will be 100% sure that your key is going to work with the Vista version you have in your hands.

 

interesting, very interesting. eh, still don't think i'll upgrade til win7 comes in december.

 

Yea, got a post somewhere around here that i was trying to get rid of the Dell logos in 64bit lol

As for Win7, depends. Gonna wait for a few benchmarks for Vista sp2 vs Win7 then probably switch

 

I'm switching to windows 7 right away. Vista isn't the greatest

 

Yea, upgrading to W7 is the way to go... can't wait. December you say? I was hoping for an early release. Say August or so...

 

This is Microsoft, they don't do fast