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    Vista Ultimate = 64 bit?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by latief, Apr 15, 2009.

  1. latief

    latief Notebook Geek

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    I friend of mine has a DVD with Vista ultimate, I would like to go for a clean install on my ideapad y530 using the supplied 64 bit key on the machine. does the vista ultimate CD usually contain the vista 64 bit files?

    thanks,
     
    latief, Apr 15, 2009
    #1
  2. malamjahanam

    malamjahanam Notebook Consultant

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    i think the vista ultimate is available on both 32 bit and 64 bit
     
    malamjahanam, Apr 15, 2009
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  3. jonlumpkin

    jonlumpkin NBR Transmogrifier

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    64-bit and 32-bit DVDs are separate. You need the 64-bit install DVD to install any 64-bit version of Vista. If the DVD is not marked as 64-bit it is almost certainly only 32-bit.

    In the past I believe that Ultimate tended to include both discs and/or that owners of a retail boxed copy of Ultimate 32 could request a 64-bit disc from Microsoft for little to no cost. However, this practice may have come to an end.
     
    jonlumpkin, Apr 15, 2009
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  4. lenardg

    lenardg Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    Actually anyone with Vista 32 ( retail) can request a copy of the 64 bit DVD (and pay post&packing). The Ultimate edition contains both verion DVDs, but only the retail version (not the OEM). For OEM versions you must contact your computer manufacturer.

    If you have a retail version of Ultimate you should already have both discs. For other versions the 64 bit disc can be requested here:

    http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/64-bit.aspx
    (bottom of page)
     
    lenardg, Apr 15, 2009
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  5. latief

    latief Notebook Geek

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    so for requesting a copy from microsoft, can i do that using teh key that came with my machine? i really don't want to pay another 100 for new software right now....
     
    latief, Apr 15, 2009
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  6. jonlumpkin

    jonlumpkin NBR Transmogrifier

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    You should be able to use your license on your machine to activate the 64-bit install. Follow the tips in the Clean Install Guide to accomplish this.

    @lenardg - Thanks for posting that link, and clarifying the current Microsoft policy.
     
    jonlumpkin, Apr 15, 2009
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  7. latief

    latief Notebook Geek

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    I understand,

    My question is if i could use the license to request the CD?

    thanks for the info guys ,,,,
     
    latief, Apr 15, 2009
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  8. malamjahanam

    malamjahanam Notebook Consultant

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    i think u can do that
     
    malamjahanam, Apr 15, 2009
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  9. jonlumpkin

    jonlumpkin NBR Transmogrifier

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    Unlikely. You need a RETAIL rather than OEM license to request the 64-bit DVD.
     
    jonlumpkin, Apr 15, 2009
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  10. latief

    latief Notebook Geek

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    Here is what i have now. I have an OEM vista 32 CD I bought for a desktop I sold. I have the ideapad with the lousy and slow 64bit installation by lenovo. and i have my friends (will get it) oem ultimate cd....so it seems that will all these cd's and 2 valid licenses, i will still have to buy a separate vista 64 cd? man that sucks...why don't manufacturers just provide a cd? we just paid them a $1000.....
     
    latief, Apr 15, 2009
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  11. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    If you can find an Anytime Upgrade disc, that's an option, though the 64 bit disc is hard to find.
     
    ZaZ, Apr 15, 2009
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  12. latief

    latief Notebook Geek

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    No go..tried my two serial numbers in the windows vista alternate media site, nothing worked......it said no promotions or something like that.....


    ideas?
     
    latief, Apr 15, 2009
    #12
  13. hotrent1

    hotrent1 Notebook Consultant

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    I had a friend burn me a vista 64 bit install disk and used my oem sn and it installed and activated, with no problem. I was under the impression that i might be doing something illegal. So i contacted dell and they sent me an install disc for ultimate x64, so now i feel everything is legal. The biggest difference in the two installs were the dell influenced settings, like default home page on internet explorer, and the branding on background images, etc.
    I know xp had to have sn for each version, whereas vista will install either version with one sn. I am only talking about x86 version and x64 version of whatever vista your computer came with.
     
    hotrent1, Apr 19, 2009
    #13