Question about upgrading from 32 to 64 bit

Hi...

I wanted to know your views about the following:

I am supposed to get a replacement machine from an OEM due to a problem with the product that I bought. This is being done under warranty.

When I originally bought the machine, it had no OS (actually, it had something called FreeDos, which is a very common way by which brand new machines are sold in India). I had to buy an OEM version of the operating system (I bought Win 7 Pro). All of this is legal and I have the receipts and the relevant COA etc for the OS.

Now that I am getting a new machine, again it will have no OS. So, I have two questions:

(1) Since I already have the media of the OS from the machine to be replaced, can I use the same to install the OS onto the new machine?

(2) The original OEM version of the OS that I have is 32-bit, and since my replacement machine will have 4 gigs of RAM, can I use the same media to upgrade to 64-bit? Or, will I have to buy another copy of the OS and upgrade from that?

Thanks in advance and sorry if I am sounding a bit confused here. If my questions are not very clear, please do let me know and I will try to explain further.

 

If the OEM media contains both 32 and 64-bit OS then it should be fine using it to install. A proper key code must accompany it of course.

I am not sure about upgrading an OEM 32-bit licence to a 64-bit one though.

cheers ...

 

Thanks. And, can I use the same media to install the OS into my new (i.e., warranty replaced) machine?

 

The key is usually for both Windows 7(32 + 64) Versions.
Just try it, it's a matter of 1/2 hour.

 

But the box in which the media came says 32-bit OEM system-builders etc etc., which is why I am a bit hesitant. And what about using the same media to install the OS in my newly replaced machine?

 

You have two (maybe three) issues to work out.

First, you need x64 media to install. Your OEM disc is x86 and does not contain the files for an x64 installation. Fortunately you can legally download the install media from Microsoft. Head over to the LEGAL Windows 7 Download thread to download what you need.

Second, your license. Your license key is an OEM key. OEM keys are tied to a single computer and are not transferable like retail keys. In practical terms, this generally means so long as the mainboard does not change, the key is still valid after a hardware change. If the replacement computer is identical to the one you are replacing, you shouldn't have any problems. Again, you should be specifically concerned with the mainboard. (Source: http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?pageid=552846 / Can a PC with an OEM Windows operating system have its motherboard upgraded and keep the same license? What if it was replaced because it was defective?)

Third (sorta), the platform -- x86 vs. x64. Retail keys ship with both platform discs and thus work on either platform, x86 or x64. While OEM keys are shipped with a single platform disc, license keys are platform universal. So if you are able to meet the above hardware restriction, you should be able to use your x86 key with x64 install media.

In short, if the replacement computer is hardware identical to the original, this is possible and should be relatively painless. However if the replacement computer (mainboard) is different, you will be at the mercy of Microsoft.

--L.

 

@L...

Thanks for you most comprehensive answer. I had a chat with Microsoft today and they gave me conflicting answers. While one guy told me that there would be no problem in using my existing media to install the OS, the other told me flat out that it cannot be done since it is an OEM responsibility. I called the OEM back and they said they will look into it.

The replacement machine is brand new - new motherboard, new HDD, new everything. So, I think this is going to be a problem and I sure as hell don't want to buy another copy of the OS!

Thanks also for the links, I'll check them out in detail. At first glance, the process does not look too complicated. It's just that I need to have a stable and fast download connection, which is always a bit of problem at my current location.

cheers!

 

I believe this covers your situation perfectly. You will likely need to activate over the phone though, explaining to the CSR you are reinstalling a warranty replacement from the OEM.

--L.

 

That is precisely what I tried telling these fools at MS. They insisted that the OEM would have to handle it because it is a OEM System Builders' Version. I'll try again tomorrow, I guess. I suppose it all depends on who you get on the phone. Thanks for the heads up though.

 

That's the difference between OEM and Retail licenses.

OEM is one machine only and it "dies" when the machine dies. Of course there's exceptions but that's the principle. Most of the time the phone activation works with a little sweet talk.

Retail has no limits on how many different computers it can be used over the years, just one computer at once.

Dealer should have sold you a retail license instead

The entity who installs OEM Windows into computer, is the OEM (System builder) that is responsible for the windows and it working.

It isn't the hardware manufacturer unless the OEM windows was installed at the factory. It isn't the dealer, unless their techie installed the OEM windows before computer was sold. Who's left?

 

Actually, this is a flawed argument because I (as a consumer) would have no access to the OEM System Builder Version without the OEM Reseller (outlet) consent. When (at my location) I buy a computer, I have one of three options:

(1) I buy a machine which has a preinstalled version of the OS, or
(2) I buy a machine which has a tested and configured version of Linux, or
(3) I buy a machine which has no OS.

If I choose the last option, then I can buy either (1) a retail version of the OS or (2) I can opt for an OEM version of the OS (but this has to come from the OEM's stock). The latter option is the cheapest option (leaving aside the Linux option).

I chose the last option.

Now, the machine, which is under warranty, has a problem, which is recognized by the OEM. The OEM offers to replace the machine with exactly the same spec'd machine. In other words, the OEM has to replace the machine without an OS. But the OEM also has to make provision for (1) the fact that I have a legally bought copy of the OEM Version of the OS, and (2) to ensure that the data on the machine to be replaced is transferred to the new machine with no loss (or as far as possible with no loss - they work under, what in my opinion, is a valid assumption that you - the customer - are keeping backups of your data and installed programs).

As I reported when I spoke to MS, I received two conflicting opinions. When I spoke to the OEM, they initially said that MS would not have a problem assisting me with transferring my original OEM version of the OS onto my new machine, but when I updated them with the details of my telecon with MS, they reverted by saying that they would look into the matter and update me.

From where I stand, the situation is clear. I paid for a brand new machine (I have the receipts). I also paid for a legal copy of the OS (I also have the receipts and the COA). If the machine is faulty (which it is) and needs to be replaced (which it will be, I have an email from the OEM stating this), then it stands to reason that this replacement is not happening due to any problems caused by me. Under these circumstances, it also stands to reason that I should not bear any additional costs involved in getting a faulty machine replaced and that includes the cost of the OS (which I have paid). I am not asking for an upgraded version of the OS. In fact, I am perfectly happy with the version that I have and am willing to have the same installed from the media that I have on me.

I know that this situation will get resolved one way or another without me spending any extra money. The reason I posed the question on this thread is because I was taken aback by the initial response I got from MS. I would have thought that they would have worked out in advance that such a situation could happen and have a set of protocols which would apply to such situations. My experience with their staff on the phone seems to indicate that this is not the case, which is indeed a pity.

 

Basically everyone can have OEM version from the shop, if they know how to ask for it. Joe Average will achieve System Builder status in the eyes of Microsoft when he accepts the System Builder license and rips open the OEM Windows package. In general it is assumed that System Builders would build and sell several computers but when Win7 came out people wiser than me read those licenses and said that "consumers" could buy and install OEM windows too if they accepted the System Builder license.

There's a lot of license text available at Microsoft's website and it really gives a nice headache if you want to read it all.

If you bought both hardware and software at the same time, with the same receipt, I'd say it greatly improves your chances to get a new license. Since licenses aren't bound to person, the shop that sold you the hardware and software could just give a new license and later sell the fixed old pc with the first license. That would be the cleanest solution, since the original license isn't transferrable to the new pc (yet again, license-wise). If they were bought from two separate shops it is more complicated.

If you decide to call MS again to activate, just say "I had this machine repaired at the shop and now it needs to activate again". Do not say you have a totally new computer. That trick works like 98% of the time, in this case less info you give out the better "I dont know, this is the black humming box I got from service, looks like the one I sent there". Don't give the people in the phone a chance to start thinking anything

Basically Microsoft's view is also as clear as yours: who puts hardware and software together is responsible for them as a package (as the actual system builder). I hope they would bend, just a little bit.

 

@KLF...

Thanks for your inputs. Very helpful.

Yeah the license info that MS puts out (though necessary, I guess, from their point of view) is a real booster for the sales of Aspirin-like medicines! Gives me headaches too!

Yup, the Machine and the OEM OS were bought from the same outlet.

Unfortunately for the outlet from where I bought the machine, they don't get it back. The OEM service folks have to take the machine back and do some analysis (or so I have been told by the OEM people) to work out whatever is the problem with the machine.

Under these circumstances, I think the ball lies in the OEM's court. Though, now I am seriously thinking that maybe I should just ignore everything and go ahead any buy a Retail version of the OS. Maybe the OEM will give me a retail version as a goodwill gesture for the trouble that has been caused to me. I should also add that though initially lethargic, after getting the proper impetus, the OEM has been very responsive and have gone out of their way to do their bit.

MS and bending just a little bit? Not that it does not happen, but these instances, according to me (and I could always be wrong) are like the passage of Halley's Comet!

Edit: What you say about buying OEM products is so very true. The only situation where you should be buying an OEM version of a software is when you buy a new machine. But yesterday, I went to buy Office 2007 and one of the shops was trying to sell me the OEM version, which I refused to accept. I said I wanted a full Retail version and we had an argument about this. At the end I went to a different place and bought a retail version and strangely it turned out to be cheaper than the OEM version that the first shop was offering - I am yet to figure out that!