The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Vista Business 64-Bit license ?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Laursen, Sep 3, 2008.

  1. Laursen

    Laursen Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    When I recieved my T61 it came with an OEM version of Vista Business 32-Bit. I was wondering if the key also would work with a 64-Bit version or do I need to purchase a new license ?

    Also, will 64-Bit be able to use more than 4 GB ?

    Regards,
    Jakob
     
    Laursen, Sep 3, 2008
    #1
  2. Eurasianman

    Eurasianman Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    40
    Messages:
    438
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Yes, the 64-bit/32-bit key is the same as far as I know and yes you'll be able to use all 4 GBs of RAM with 64-bit.

    I've been running Vista Ultimate 64-bit for over a year now and no issues of whatsoever and I do a lot of gaming/office/programming/video encoding on my machine.

    Hope this helps.
     
    Eurasianman, Sep 3, 2008
    #2
  3. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    426
    Messages:
    2,889
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Yes, you can use your 32 bit key for 64 bit just fine. Vista Business 64 has a top memory limit of over 128 GB! :eek:

    Vista 64 Info
     
    The Fire Snake, Sep 3, 2008
    #3
  4. ahrenba

    ahrenba Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    7
    Messages:
    28
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Cool, I was just wondering this too.

    So, if I had a 32 bit key, how would I get the "upgrade" to the 64 bit?
     
    ahrenba, Sep 3, 2008
    #4
  5. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    426
    Messages:
    2,889
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    You need the 64 bit Vista media and will need to format your drive and do a fresh install(can't just pop in the disc and go from 32 to 64 bit). If you have bought a retail copy you can buy a 64 bit Vista disc from Microsoft directly for <$20. If you have just an OEM copy installed on your machine you will need to acquire the media by borrowing a friends(but ofcourse using your 32 bit license key), getting an anytime upgrade disc etc...

    Basically there are only 2 types of Vista discs, 32 bit and 64 bit. Each type of disc has all the versions of Vista(Home premium, business etc). But your key that you bought , either from the manufacturer or retail in the store, only allows you to use the type of Vista that you bought. EX: If you bought Business you must stay with business, but within business you can go from 32 bit to 64 bit and back.

    Get the picture?
     
    The Fire Snake, Sep 3, 2008
    #5
  6. Laursen

    Laursen Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Will I feel any difference in system speed, opening/closing folders, opening IE7, Windows boot time etc. ?

    Regards,
    Jakob
     
    Laursen, Sep 3, 2008
    #6
  7. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

    Reputations:
    3,300
    Messages:
    7,115
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Not really. The main benefit of 64bit systems is access to over 3.5GB of RAM.
     
    Pitabred, Sep 3, 2008
    #7
  8. Eurasianman

    Eurasianman Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    40
    Messages:
    438
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Not only that, but for me, I have yet to have to re-install 64-bit Vista unlike Vista 32-bit which seemed to have to be re-installed every month.... don't ask me, but 64-bit just seems more solild than the 32-bit OS.
     
    Eurasianman, Sep 4, 2008
    #8