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    Vista Ultimate 32 bit - Am I screwed?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by claus1225, Nov 11, 2008.

  1. claus1225

    claus1225 Notebook Guru

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    Hello,

    I ordered a T500 with Vista Ultimate, which comes in 32 bit.

    Is there anyway I can upgrade to 64 bit without buying the disk?

    I called lenovo and they were of no help.

    thank you,
    claus
     
    claus1225, Nov 11, 2008
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  2. jketzetera

    jketzetera Notebook Evangelist

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    jketzetera, Nov 11, 2008
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  3. philosopherdog

    philosopherdog Notebook Consultant

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    Lenovo Tech support will send you the disks for a price. In Canada they said it would be $40. If you can get your hands on an x64 install disk, so long as it includes ultimate, then you will be able to use your key to install the x64 version, since your license covers it. You can also order this from MS. Is it the MS marketplace? Anyhow, I was there the other day and you can get it for about $12. You will want to look at the Vista clean install guide on this site for the best way to transfer your key over. Finally, if you know someone with a vista install disk that includes x64 you can always use that since your key will work with Ultimate.
     
    philosopherdog, Nov 11, 2008
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  4. Ahbeyvuhgehduh

    Ahbeyvuhgehduh Lost in contemplation....

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    Yes indeed ... if it is a purchase outside the original thing you paid for they will send the discs for a price (iirc at least). Still ... its not so much in comparison. :)
     
    Ahbeyvuhgehduh, Nov 11, 2008
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  5. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

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    A 64 bit anytime upgrade disc, retail disc or OEM disc will work. Each disc has ALL versions of Vista already on them, you don't have to get a disc that matches your specific version of Vista, just the architecture. Meaning that if you want 64 bit vista get any 64 bit Vista disc.
     
    The Fire Snake, Nov 11, 2008
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  6. claus1225

    claus1225 Notebook Guru

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    Thanks all for the help.

    If I decide not to do a clean install (ie. keeping the 3rd party softwares), can I just pop the installation disk in ? Do I still need Orev's program to extract the installation key?

    thanks,
    claus
     
    claus1225, Nov 12, 2008
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  7. receph

    receph Notebook Evangelist

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    I used the lenovo disks to do a factory install on a new hdd and the key was included

    you need that software to extract the key only if you do the above, and then want to install another version of Vista with the same key
     
    receph, Nov 12, 2008
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  8. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

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    What do you mean by this? Your machine will come preinstalled and all set to go with whatever OS you choose during the custom config. Now if you want to change your version of Vista from 32 to 64 bit or vice versa then you will need to do the clean install and mess with Orev's utility. if you just want to stay with what they gave you , you shouldn't have to do anything unless the machine has errors.
     
    The Fire Snake, Nov 12, 2008
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  9. philosopherdog

    philosopherdog Notebook Consultant

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    No you cannot migrate from 32 to 64 bit. It's only a clean install. Why would you want to keep their 3rd party stuff anyhow. All you need are the drivers and patches. All of that software is available in much better versions as freeware. Go here for some of the best lists of freeware I've seen anywhere http://www.techsupportalert.com/
     
    philosopherdog, Nov 12, 2008
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