getting vista x64 for free?

I ordered my dell laptop with x32 Vista, and I am considering upgrading to x64.

I read about both OSs being in the same DVD, or being able to use the same license code from my x32 Vista on a x64 install DVD...

does that mean that I can request a x64 install DVD for free from Dell? Has anyone done that?

thanks.

 

a 32 Bit license code will be valid for a 64Bit edition too.

You can contact your OEM for a 64Bit disc, or Microsoft if it is a retail version.

And please, do search the forums a bit before asking.

 

^^ thanks for your replies. I did search the forums, but I guess I was using the wrong keywords...

I wanted to hear from people who actually got a free x64 disc shipped, and what they said to Dell Support to get it.

 

Just phone and ask.

 

not that Detlev would deliberately mislead you, the Windows OEM 32Bit disk cannot use the same key as X64, this is only valid with Retail editions; the only situation where Dell would honour this is iff you use a Business range laptop.

Tinsel.

 

Are you sure Tom?

My understanding is that you will always get a 64Bit disc if you have a 32Bit OS - but Microsoft will not supply the disc if you have an OEM copy - but the OEM will/should instead.

Oh, and some people had to call Microsoft on an OEM key instead of using the automated activation process.

 

I don't think the OEM is entitled to supply you a disc.

 

you cannot get a 64bit disk with a 32Bit key.

 

They activation key is not Bit specific. It will activate both the 64-bit version and 32-bit version... OEM or retail.

The issue is that the OEM key will not get you a free 64-bit disc either from MS and probably the OEM (unless you originally ordered the 64-bit Vista).

 

I will call and ask.

However, what if I borrow a x64 install dvd from a friend and install using my OEM x32 key?

1) is that legal?
2) is it possible (will the key work, I mean)? In case it is legal to do so, I wouldn't like to format, uninstall x32, and THEN find out that the key won't work...

note: in case answer to q#1 is "no", discussion on that topic ends here.

 

it is legal, you can buy the disk off Microsoft for $5, but i tried doing this with my OEM key and it was rejected.

 

I think that must be one of the cases where Microsoft says contact the OEM for the disc - and later you have to call Micrososf and speak to ustomer service to activate.

 

I clean-installed with an x64 disk. My OEM key was not recognized (OEM keys will never clear online activation). I called up Microsoft, got a human, they asked me how many machines I had installed Windows on. I said one. They gave me the activation code, and that was it.

Pleasant conversation, took two minutes.