32 bit key work in a 64 bit version?

My hard drive crashed on my HP Pavilion. I made the mistake of not burning the Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit to a dvd. I ordered a new hard drive and I am upgrading my memory to 4gigs. I can not use the windows recovery, and need a dvd. My roommate, who also has a Pavilion has the 64 bit version of the Home Premium. So I have two questions:

1. Can I burn a copy of his 64 bit version and use my 32 bit OEM key to run a 64 bit copy.

2. If I can not do that, what is the best way to acquire a 32 bit copy? I just need to load Vista, as I have a key. Is there a safe place to download Vista? I can use his computer to download a burn the version to a dvd. I have tried contacting HP and they were not much help. I do not know anyone who has the 32 bit version on a computer.

Thank you very much.
Chris

 

Well to be honest

1) Is not going to work because the DVD that you are asked to burn when you turn on a new HP notebook is a recovery image(for that particular notebook) not a full vista installation that you need to enter a key for it to work.

2)Since number 1 is not going to work then you will have to purchase a anytime upgrade disc(these are really cheap) or borrow a vista OEM or retail disc from someone who happens to have a vista disc and then use your key to activate it.
A few years back you could have downloaded vista direct from Microsoft (via digitalriver) however the direct links to download vista no longer works.

These are your choices really, if anyone else can think of some other way please chime in.

 

Evolution

thank you for your reply.

I am not really sure how a anytime disc works. I will have a blank hard drive so how well it know I am upgrading? I am not familiar with Windows.

Also

Do you know if the 32 bit key would work with a 64 bit version?

thanks
Chris

 

32-bit key works with 64-bit DVD, but I believe it will install 64-bit OS. I did this recently with a full license 32-bit key, but had a 64-bit DVD, and it installed 64-bit. The key defines whether it is an upgrade, OEM, or full version, and what type of version (Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Ultimate). As I understand it 32-bit DVD includes all versions of Vista 32-bit, and 64-bit all versions of Vista 64-bit. It all depends on what key you use.

Also keep in mind that sometimes the OEM key on the bottom of the laptop is pretty useless, as it is only for the OEM's licensing and a fresh disc install won't recognize it. The actual key is preloaded in your OS. It is best to use a key extraction program (google for one) from Vista, and get your key that way, copy it down, then install off a fresh Vista DVD and use that extracted key.

I had to do this with my Gateway because I wanted a fresh Vista install and get rid of all the other crap that Gateway crammed in there.

 

Yes the 32-bit key would definitely work with a 64-bit copy of Vista. As for obtaining the media, there is definitely the option of downloading a copy of Vista online. There are many places online that have an image of the Vista DVD, not copies with a pirated key but simply an image of a retail copy of Vista which you can burn and use with your own legitimate CD key.

 

Where can i get one of the Vista images from? If they are legit.

Im not doubting you i'd just like a backup incase I ever have the need to format

 

I recently install Vista using an OEM, installing 64 bit Vista using the key at the bottom of the notebook. The copy of Vista did not activate automatically and I had to call a number, when they asked why I installed Vista I didn't tell them I was switching from 32 to 64-bit, but rather that the install had gone corrupt and I needed to reinstall and they just activated it. I did talk to people before where MS refused when they told them that they were simply switching using an OEM key and that they would have to activate through the notebook manufacturer, thus my alternative explanation.