Vista x86 to x64

OK, now that Moduslink has shut down the option of going from XP Pro to Vista Business X64 for those of us with 64 bit processors on Asus Notebooks, does anyone know if there will be an inexpensive (ie just the cost of media) way to get from business x86 to business x64? My sole purpose of waiting an extra month and getting a 64 bit core 2 duo was so I could upgrade to Vista X64.

Basicly, what is the cost ot upgrade the upgrade? Or does Microsoft even consider it an upgrade. Information is non existant on the MS site for this. And it seems like much of the x64 hupla is gone and the expected support for it is just not there. But still I have a desire/need to experiment with it.

 

This thread might answer your question: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=115505

 

If you can get ahold of the retail 64-bit disc (borrow it from someone?) you can try and see if your Product key will work. Otherwise, no, there's no way for you to get a 64-bit copy without going out and buying another license.

Only retail copies are eligible for the "free" 64-bit upgrade (shipping costs only).

 

Retail copies have both versions on the disk. Retail product keys work for both 32 and 64bit. The OEM (the stickers on the laptops) product keys only work with the version they were shipped with.
I tried this and it didnt work for me. I had to get another OEM copy for VISTA 64bit. Still worth it since 2 OEM versions are cheaper then one retail.

 

That's not entirely correct. The retail discs DO NOT have 32-bit and 64-bit versions together on one disc. Ultimate Edition boxes have 2 DVDs inside: one for 32-bit and one for 64-bit. All other versions only include 32-bit in the box, but allow you to access a Microsoft website to order a 64-bit DVD or 32-bit CDs for a small fee.

 

hmmm sorry it seems what I wrote before was totaly wrong. I just tried installing Vista business 64bit with the product key that came with my laptop (it came with 32bit business on it) and it worked! I didnt try activating yet. Not sure what I did last time when it didnt work.

 

Thanks to everyone for the inputs.

wave - Let us know if you can successfully activate the 64 bit version.

 

Now, I know Vista was supposed to be 64-bit first, 32 second. How's that working out? Any benefit in switching to 64??

 

No benefits to the normal user I would think. Even less programs work with Vista 64 then do in Vista 32bit. I can't install any unsigned drivers too. It gives some improvments in math heavy operations. Games performe worse for me but I think that is mostly because the drivers are a step behind the 32bit drivers.

FYI: Activating Vista 64 with the 32bit key worked for me.

 

I had some real issues when i upgraded to 64-bit Vista Ultimate. I noticed slowdowns on almost all processes and my shutdown time seemed to be an eternity. (pretty sure ultimate is the most effected by these problems)

So for now im sticking with x32




btw, if your looking for some 64-bit programs & drivers this is a pretty good place

http://www.start64.com/

 

Anyone try Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, and/or 3ds max 64-bit on vista? Any faster/better than 32-bit??

 

the program doesn't specifically state that it is 64-bit, then there won't be any difference.

 

3ds max 9 and AuoCAD 2008 are the first versions of those apps that have 64-bit versions available. I think the main advantage is the ability to access more than 4 GB of RAM, but there may be a slight speed boost even without the extra RAM. Inventor I'm pretty sure doesn't have a 64-bit version.