Vista 64-bit to 32-bit Downgrade?

Hi All,

Does anyone know what Sony's policy (Sony USA) is on providing a 32-bit version of Vista with the laptops that now only include the 64-bit version (such as the Sony VAIO Z7xx series)?

From the information I have come across, apparently it is at your laptop manufacturer's discretion to provide you with a 32-bit OEM copy (which would also need a different product key than the one provided with the laptop for the 64-bit version, since it is OEM and not retail) or leave you to purchase your own copy. Does anyone have experience with Sony in this regard?

Also, does anyone know if the Windows 7 upgrade kit will also be 64-bit only?

Thanks.

P.S. I'm asking because although I would love to give 64-bit a shot (never tried it out before), I don't want to run into software incompatibilities (or performance degradation - or so I've read - from running 32-bit programs in a 64-bit environment.) Also, I am aware that I can run Windows 7 RC 32-bit as an interim solution

 

On the concern of performance degredation while its hard to measure real world performance maybe, 32 bit benchmarks in 64 bit have scored the same on my end and i do alot of benching.

Unless you have a piece of hardware thats preventing you id make the jump, I did and i dont regret it at all. I cant say ive run into anything that wont work either. Anything I had for vista 32 bit works on 64 bit.

I have however run into some free stuff that the free 32 bit versions dont work on 64 bit. Like easus partition manager is free for home 32 bit users but the 64 bit version is paid and required due to the nature of the app, the camera raw codecs for 64 bit arent free either. Anything that deals with video, or has low level drivers needs signed drivers on 64 bit (though the signed part can be bypassed) and are the most common issue. Anything I have has been patched or updated.

If you can come up with a list of stuff I think some of us are more than willing to help you sort out your jump to 64 bit.

 

Thanks for the quick response and info, ClutchX2.

At the risk of derailing the topic, the only software I am really worried about and have caught whiffs of 64-bit woes on are:

1. Firefox 3.5
2. VLC Media Player

These aren't conclusively listed as supported (or otherwise) on: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/

Also, I may have to run some programs (currently unknown to me) as part of my upcoming studies, and so I just wanted to be prepared.

 

All of the 32-bit software works on 64-bit (Firefox, VLC, etc).
You could only have problems with some drivers (like some old hardware). But because your notebook comes with 64-bit pre-installed - that means that you would not have any problems out of the box.
Just forget 32-bit. I am using 64-bit Vista for 3 years now and never had a problem, that was not possible to solve.

 

Hmmm. I had quite a few problems with 64-bit Explorer 8, for example. 64-bit Flash player plug-ins weren't available from Adobe for the longest time, so I had to have a version of Explorer 7 floating around on the desktop for these situations. (In fact, Sony pre-installs both on its notebooks for that reason.)

And high-performance video-audio software like Dragon NatSpeak require upgrading to the latest 64-bit versions to work (I have a friend with that problem).

Additionally, many businesses are still running XP and many of them 32-bit so their Websites have had some incompatibilities as well, I noticed. I often had to resort to the older Explorer on my 64-bit Vista machine.

I know, switch to Firefox or Chrome -- but seriously speaking: sometimes incompatibilities are an issue which requires an outlay of cash to resolve or can't be resolved at all when the creating software is on the other end.

 

I still insist running my Server 2008 Enterprise 32 bit for 8GB RAM. I will run 64 bit OS on my next laptop, which must support VT (otherwise I won't buy it)

 

32 Bit IE is installed along side 64 bit, not sure what the deal is with 8 but I dont use it anyways so lol.

@ Firefox 3.5.... 0 Issues, I call lies, lies i tell you. Been using it since the beta, rc, release, nothing out of ordinary. Someones plugin probably screwing with it but i did hear one person say something.

I dont use VLC so not sure. Some 32 bit games where screwed with by logitech drivers as well as some other software was occasionally affected. I run the latest 64 bit logitech drivers for mouse and keyboard no issues with any specified software but webcam drivers were noted which i dont use a logitech webcam.

 

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I'm willing to give 64-bit a shot Will keep a copy of Win 7 RC 32-bit handy in case.

Still, I'm surprised that no one has contacted Sony about obtaining a 32-bit version when a 64-bit is pre-installed (or rather no one that has done this has seen this thread )

 

A friend who had Vista Ultimate 64 bit on an FW390 was told by Sony that since the model was also available in the US with Vista Business 32 bit that it would be possible to purchase the disks from Sony to do a self-install (after all, Ultimate includes Business, so it's not an upgrade).

So, go to esupport.sony.com (or the Sony support site in your country) and see what versions were available from Sony for your model. If what you want is listed, Sony will likely sell you the disks. If not, they will tell you that that system is "unsupported" -- and, then, if you find it on another country's Sony support site, you could always try to download the drivers from there.

As I always say, why not shoot the question to [email protected], giving model number and country, originally installed OS and desired OS and ask what they say. sonylistens will send your request to the tech support side and they will contact you. If you are ignored, you shoot another email to sonylistens and they will be sure someone gets back to you.

Good luck.

 

@Above post, ive done something similar with HP, I was gonna mention it but decided to hold back. Give that a shot violater.

 

Sounds good, thanks Derrida and ClutchX2.

The only potential complication is that I believe with the Z7xx series, Sony has gone 64-bit exclusively... Which I think is interesting - what about people who would like the option of 32-bit...? Perhaps the XP downgrade that ships with the Z series is 32-bit...

 

Just to clarify, the OEM key works for both 32 and 64 bit versions of Vista, though you may have to call in the install. All you need is a 32-bit install disk. As for software support, unless you're using very old or specialized programs, they will be supported in Vista x64.

 

Thanks, Lithus. I couldn't find much about it on the net, but from what I did find, apparently the 64-bit OEM Product Keys don't work on 32-bit, whereas if you purchased 64-bit retail, you'd be okay. I guess that was incorrect. I don't mind calling in for activation, should it come to that.

I've just e-mailed the address provided earlier in this thread to ask this very question. Let's see what Sony says.

Also, if it does turn out that the CD key can be used on 32-bit, then a better option than Sony may be Portable One's optimized image: http://www.laptopsinc.com/_e/dept/03/P1_VAIO_Images.htm

I'll post back when/if I hear from Sony.

 

Curt response, straight from the horse's mouth ([email protected]):

It's almost as if I pissed him off asking those questions...

In other news, I received my VAIO Z750 yesterday with Vista x64 and I have not run into any issues yet (Firefox, VLC, Office 2003, etc. all work just fine). Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

 

That is correct; Sony does NOT "provide" that. Just as Sony no longer provides recovery disks.

You may probably purchase both of those disk sets from Sony, however, as a friend was told by more than one Sony tech when she was considering downgrading from Ultimate 64-bit to Business 32-bit.

 

I've got some specialty programs that will only work on a 32 bit OS. XP preferably, but 32 bit Vista should work fine as well. What are my options?

Will the 32 bit RC1 of W7 work on a FW480J? I've heard conflicting stories on that.

Does the RC1 have the built in copy of XP as advertised?

I'm just trying to figure out how to get a 32 bit OS on a 64 bit Vista machine.

 

According to http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNFW480J the only supported OS on your laptop is Vista x64.

However, that does not mean that XP / Vista / 7 32-bit won't work at all. Windows should pick up drivers for most of your hardware (if not all). At the very least, it will get you running with reduced functionality (such as the VAIO Fn keys and VAIO software, etc.) In that case, your best option may be to dual boot a 32-bit OS with your existing 64-bit. If you run into compatibility issues with your software while in Vista x64, you can reboot into x86 (32-bit) and run your program there.

Helpful link if you decide to dual boot Windows 7:
http://www.techspot.com/guides/143-dual-boot-windows7/

 

I am having all kinds of problems with Vista X-64 (e.g. certain programs will only run with X-32, I can't connect an HP Scanner that ran very well in XP, and I keep getting blue memory dump screens, etc.) and want to downgrade to X-32, else install XP Professional to get rid of Vista and run on my new Sony Vaio laptop. Any suggestions?