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    The vista 32 bit and 64 bit key thread

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by sgtmatt1, Dec 10, 2007.

  1. sgtmatt1

    sgtmatt1 Notebook Evangelist

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    A lot of people still don't know if they can use their 32 bit key to install the 64 bit version... (also in the opposite way)
    And i don't think that you want to pay a lot of money for vista when you can use your current vista key
    So that's why I made this thread, to clear this case out ;)

    So, the first thing I want to clear out is:

    Can you use your 32 bit vista key (that is on the bottom of your laptop) to install the 64 bit OEM version of vista ? (You can barrow someones OEM dvd or you can buy one online for like 6 dollars...)
     
    sgtmatt1, Dec 10, 2007
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  2. 640k

    640k Notebook Evangelist

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    1. Why is this in the Gaming forum?

    2. Are you trying to fish out other people's registration keys?

    3. MS offers an upgrade path to 64-bit, but is not typically the case for OEM (at least not for my Dell) and I'm not sure if there is a way short of buying another full version from MS.
     
    640k, Dec 10, 2007
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  3. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    Are you asking or are you answering?

    If it's the key that came with your laptop then no. If it's a key from a retail version, then you can contact Microsoft and they will send you a 64-bit version if you so choose.
     
    Lithus, Dec 10, 2007
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  4. lifeflayer

    lifeflayer Notebook Guru

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    Just tested with both my retail Business 64bit and two Business 32bit. They are not interchangeable.
     
    lifeflayer, Dec 10, 2007
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  5. sgtmatt1

    sgtmatt1 Notebook Evangelist

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    I don't know why you think this.... :confused:
    I just noticed that a lot of people are sitting with this question and I want to clear it out with this thread
     
    sgtmatt1, Dec 10, 2007
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  6. sgtmatt1

    sgtmatt1 Notebook Evangelist

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    So all the people that were saying that you can use your 32 bit key to install 64 bit were wrong? :( :p



    And what's a update path to 64 bit? I have never heard that before...
     
    sgtmatt1, Dec 10, 2007
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  7. 640k

    640k Notebook Evangelist

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    If you bought the 32-bit version, you should be able to get the 64-bit version at what MS calls minimal cost, although I haven't seen any numbers.

    Also an upgrade path is any path that can be taken to upgrade whatever is current. So as taken in the context of this conversation, an upgrade path for Vista Home Premium would be Vista Ultimate.
     
    640k, Dec 10, 2007
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  8. Jikeel

    Jikeel Notebook Consultant

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    Hes right. It should probably be in the Windows OS forum:

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=15
     
    Jikeel, Dec 10, 2007
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  9. sgtmatt1

    sgtmatt1 Notebook Evangelist

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    An installed OEM version on your laptop (the key on the bottom) is that also a 32 bit version you bought ?
     
    sgtmatt1, Dec 10, 2007
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  10. sgtmatt1

    sgtmatt1 Notebook Evangelist

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    sgtmatt1, Dec 10, 2007
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  11. osso002

    osso002 Notebook Evangelist

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    osso002, Dec 10, 2007
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  12. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

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    When I purchased my laptop ,I opted for Vista Home Premium 64 bit, and a 32 bit version came along also. BOTH work with the same key.
    Vista original DVDs.
     
    eleron911, Dec 10, 2007
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  13. Raven322

    Raven322 Notebook Evangelist

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    my notebook came with 32-bit homepremium i then bought for $5 the 64-bit anytime upgrade disk. used my OEM licence to activate the 64-bit home premium. works perfect for me
     
    Raven322, Dec 10, 2007
    #13