Vista Home premium 32 to 64 Bit?

I have a hp dv5t which, came with a Vista Home premium 32 bit and I want to upgrade to the 64 bit Home premium. Could someone please tell me what is the best way of doing this?

I was considering buying Home premium from a retail vendor, use that Vista disc to install 64bit Vista on my laptop with my existing licence key, and use the same disc to install Home premium on my desktop with the new licence key. Please could someone let me know if it is "legal" to do so....

Thanks
Naveen
Sorry, if this has already been asked before

 

Yes, this has been asked a million times before. I hope no one answers this question or links you to a solution. Learn to seach, the whole of Internet is littered with the same question and countless different ways to go about it.

 

Well, I have never come across a clear "Black and White" answer to this question and I wanted to know the best way to go about this....

I checked with my OEM and they don't give 64bit disks (at least where I bought it from as there are no models with 64bit OS's sold in this country)

And regarding using a retail copy, I'm fairly sure it can be done...but am not very clear about the legalities.
I will have two licences which I can use it install on 2 machines but is it as straightforward as that?

 

Yes, it has been asked before - but still, you could be more helpful. That post doesn't help anybody.
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Ok, now to your problem.

If you have a valid 32Bit license, which you have from your laptop, you can use that license to instal 64Bit - you know that.
Your vendor does not supply you with a 64Bit OS because they don't sell it - have you sent them an e-mail/phoned - else, e-mail/phone Microsoft.

Now - you plan on buying a 32Bit Retail version that you will instal on your desktop.

Up to now - no legal problems.

Now:
You want to use the retail version to get you a 64Bit disc.
As you can lend a disc from a friend to instal on your own computer provided you use your own key there should not be a legal problem with it, provided you use the key at the bottom of the laptop.

Problem: I believe some people have had problems with an OEM key on a 64Bit disc...

And you can't swap them round - retail to laptop and OEM to desktop as this would be illegal.

I hope this has helped you a bit.

Also:
Do search this forum (note please that search is broken on Opera) as there have been numerous threads on 32/64Bit already.

PS: Think whether you need a 64Bit OS - it may not be worth it.

 

Thanks DetlevCM. This cleared up a lot of things...

I want to use my 4gig ram to full capacity (especially during gaming and photo editing), hence the 64 bit conundrum.

 

You're welcome.

Keep in mind that you'd need 64Bit Applications if you want to take full advantage of the 64Bit - performance increase for heavy duty photo editing could be possible. (I use Photoshop Elements 6 on 32 Bit)

Good luck