The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    T500 Does Windows Vista Ultimate include 64 bit?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by sitheris, Aug 24, 2009.

  1. sitheris

    sitheris Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    17
    Messages:
    29
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I ordered a T500 with Vista Ultimate. On my order summary it says VBB MSWIN VISTA ULTIMATE 32. Why don't they install 64-bit? Can I install 64-bit from the license that comes with my T500? Going to be really upset if I can't... :confused:
     
    sitheris, Aug 24, 2009
    #1
  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    4,982
    Messages:
    34,001
    Likes Received:
    1,415
    Trophy Points:
    581
    Well then I guess you're going to be really upset.
     
    ZaZ, Aug 24, 2009
    #2
  3. zephir

    zephir Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    495
    Messages:
    1,144
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    No he's not ;)
    You can use a 32bit license key with a 64bit Windows. I've done it multiple times.
     
    zephir, Aug 24, 2009
    #3
  4. sitheris

    sitheris Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    17
    Messages:
    29
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Does the Vista Ultimate recovery files included with a thinkpad include 64 bit installation files?
     
    sitheris, Aug 24, 2009
    #4
  5. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    426
    Messages:
    2,889
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    1.) You can use the 32 bit license key with the 64 bit version and vice versa

    2.) I had heard that Vista Ultimate comes with the 32 and 64 bit dics, but maybe that it just the retail version. If it comes with only the 32 bit disc you will need to find someone with a retail, OEM or anytime upgrade disc of the 64 bit version of Vista(any version will be ok, as long as the version is 64 bit) and do a clean install of 64 bit Vista using your install key(or preactivated OEM key = better).
     
    The Fire Snake, Aug 25, 2009
    #5
  6. Lew

    Lew Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    193
    Messages:
    733
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    It may be with the retail version, the preload did not when I bought my T400 last year. The OP will need to find x64 media somewhere.
     
    Lew, Aug 25, 2009
    #6
  7. Lew

    Lew Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    193
    Messages:
    733
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    No they do not.

    Its really all kind of moot anyway since Win7 should be out via retail channels in less than two months and it is said the upgrade packages will contain 32bit and 64bit media. Switch to Win7 X64 at that time. You'll need to do a clean install of course.
     
    Lew, Aug 25, 2009
    #7
  8. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    2,389
    Messages:
    10,552
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    456
    You'll need to clean install for any 64-bit OS when coming from a 32-bit one. The only time when you can upgrade is from 32-bit to 32-bit or 64-bit to 64-bit.
     
    sgogeta4, Aug 25, 2009
    #8
  9. lenardg

    lenardg Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    331
    Messages:
    513
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Only Vista Ultimate RETAIL contains both discs (32 and 64). For OEM versions (like Lenovo) you would have to ask for a disc from Lenovo, because they do not include that.

    For Windows 7 the RETAIL packaging will contain both discs (32 and 64) for all versions (Home, Pro, Ultimate). For OEM versions I still think you will have to deal with your OEM (Lenovo) to get a disc with other version if you need it.

    Keys are not 32bit or 64bit keys, they are linked to editions (Home, Pro, Ultimate). You can use your key with either the 32 or 64 bit version, it does not matter which one.
     
    lenardg, Aug 26, 2009
    #9
  10. NlightN

    NlightN Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    27
    Messages:
    70
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I love this thread. Great question!!

    Just recently had to downgrade a laptop from 64bit to 32bit because the users company software was not compatible with 64bit. Just put in the 32bit disk and run the install. Never asked for a key or activation. That works.
     
    NlightN, Aug 26, 2009
    #10