do i need a seperate licence key for vista 64 business if i have 32?

Question as above,i ordered my dell laptop with vista 32 business, but in future i would like to use vista 64 business.

is it just an option when installing or do i have to have a different license key for 64?

i ask because my laptop is coming with 4gb ram and supports up to 8gb

thanks

 

AFAIK, you could use the 32bit key for the 64bit as well... but I am not sure if the 64bit has to come from the OEM as well or if you can get it from somewhere else..

Btw, have you 'searched' around?? there are lots of threads on this issue here in NBR. Cheers.

 

im not sure what keywords to search for, just got a lot of stuff on 64bit performance

 

For example >> http://www.notebookreview.com/searc...F;GIMP:0000FF;FORID:11&hl=en&btnAction=SEARCH

 

Are you going to install 64-bit in addition to, or in lieu of, 32-bit?

 

thanks

its still ambiguous. can i use an oem key with both versions? im buying a new dell computer. also, nobody seems to know if the oem disc comes with both versions

can anyone confirm that a dell disc and license work for both version?
thanks

 

From what I can gather, you cant use the 32-bit key to activate a 64-bit version of Vista.

 

My retail version comes with (and works with) both, but I'm not sure if the OEM key would work for both.

 

32bit OEM key can be used to activate the 64bit version counterpart. They are practically the same thing.

Its OEM meaning you wont be supported or supplied with the right media.

 

You should be able to get Dell to send you the 64-bit Vista Business disc. See this thread for more info on how to get it: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=254817

It worked for me. I suggest the online tech support chat... I just copied and pasted the magic words into the chat session, and the disc arrived the next day. And you don't need to worry about the key or anything... the key is in your BIOS and the same key works fine in 64-bit and the installer will pick it up, you don't even have to think about it. At least with the OEM 64-bit Vista disc Dell sent me.

 

You can use a 32 bit license key for the 64 bit version but they have to be in the same family. For example, if you bought Home Premium 32 bit you can go to Home Premium 64 bit using the same license key, and vice versa. But you cannot go from Home Premium 32 bit to Business 64.

The OEM disc(assuming it is a 32 bit disc) should have ALL 32 bit versions of Vista on it. The only difference between the discs is if they are the 32 bit or 64 bit variety. Though the disc contains all version of Vista, the license you bought determines which version of Vista you can install. That is if you bought Vista Business, you can go to 32 or 64 bit versions of it only.

 

OK i'm a bit confused here. I have Vista U 32 and 64 bit. I installed VU 32bit. Are you saying I can install VU64 on the same machine and use my 32bit key?

What if I were to do a clean install wouldn't I be required to use the key assigned to the 64bit version?

 

ok so i think my dell install cd will come with only all the 32 bit editions. is it possible to use the dell CD key for vista business 64 (i ordered 32) if i can source a disk with the 64 bit version on it?
thanks
Kumaresan

 

OK, For those of you that have 32 bit versions of Vista installed on your system. All you need to do is get a 64 bit install disk, wipe out your system and install Vista with the key that is on the bottom of you system. It is that easy. When you are done, get the latest drivers from the hardware manufacturers websites and install them. Install NOD32 virus scanner and stay away from 3rd party spyware scanners and firewalls. Also disable system restore and now you have a kick butt system. Oh yah, you can get the 64 bit Vista disk with SP1 via a torrent site or friend. Anyhow good luck...

 

It's the same key for both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

 

THANKS!!!! this is exactly what i needed