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    OEM Vista 32bit -> 64bit

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by pgatz11, May 1, 2007.

  1. pgatz11

    pgatz11 Notebook Consultant

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    Can anyone confirm this?

    http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/04/22/32-bit-or-64-bit-x64-windows-vista/

    I know all notebooks selling with OEM Vista Home Premium right now are all 32bit versions, so it would be great if it were easy/inexpensive to upgrade to 64bit if I can't find any OEM 64bit version on sale with my notebook.
     
    pgatz11, May 1, 2007
    #1
  2. Gator

    Gator Go Gators!

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    Yep, it's true.
     
    Gator, May 1, 2007
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  3. pgatz11

    pgatz11 Notebook Consultant

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    Excellent :D
     
    pgatz11, May 1, 2007
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  4. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Yes it is true but eventually it will be the other way around.
     
    usapatriot, May 1, 2007
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  5. Evolution

    Evolution Vox Sola

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    It is not only the upgrade to 64bit that you must consider, most manufacturers do not have 64bit drivers for the components in their notebooks.

    Therefore if you go 64bit on a notebook that normally comes with 32bit and only has 32bit drivers provided where will you get the 64bit drivers that you need? You can't go complaining to the manufacturer they aren't responsible.
    Be prepared for some serious driver hunting if you want to go down that route and at the end of the day there maybe 1 or 2 components which there simply is no 64bit driver. Think about this and try to track down the drivers before you try to go 64bit...
     
    Evolution, May 1, 2007
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  6. pgatz11

    pgatz11 Notebook Consultant

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    Good point. I'm probably not going to purchase my laptop until June when you begin to see Centrino Pro models, so hopefully there will be more availability of 64bit drivers then. =)
     
    pgatz11, May 1, 2007
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  7. JadedRaverLA

    JadedRaverLA Notebook Deity

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    To clarify, though...

    Microsoft's website to order the 64-bit installation media will only accept "Retail" product keys. It will not accept "OEM" keys. Some users have reported success in installing 64-bit Vista (after "borrowing" 64-bit installation media) using the OEM keys supplied with their notebook.

    So, you "may" be able to use your license to install 64-bit Vista, but you'll need to acquire the media... somehow...

    Also, what model notebook are you looking at? I'm only really familiar with the HP line... but all of their current models have drivers for both 32-bit and 64-bit Vista. And if you order Vista Ultimate preinstalled on an HP notebook, you actually get the 64-bit version. No idea why... but that's the way they are doing it.
     
    JadedRaverLA, May 2, 2007
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