going from 32bit -> 64bit vista home premium

i'll be receiving my t61p in (a long) time, and it's going to come with 1gb of ram. i'm thinking about purchasing 4gb of ram before it even gets here so i can just put it in immediately. however, i would like to get the 64bit version of vista HP to be able to utilize all 4gb of ram.

i was reading a thread that linked you to direct download links of vista 64bit and vista 32bit, however i cannot check to see if they are active because i am at work.

i would much rather be able to download the 64bit version of vista and have it prepared so i can do a clean install with it when i receive my laptop. has anyone done this or has anyone who wanted to do what i am thinking of doing requested the 64bit dvd from microsoft? i really rather not wait for a 64bit version when i have 4gb of ram and my laptop all ready.

i could just go to a torrent site and download a 64bit copy of windows home premium and use my license for the 32bit copy i'm getting, but if i can download it straight from microsoft instead that would make me feel much better

 

i would read up and think about it some more. from what i understand, 64 bit vista can be frustrating to say the least.

 

How so? What have you read about it?

 

driver problems, software problems etc..

 

Oh. I thought you meant new issues. I wonder if some of the "old" issues are exaggerated a bit, though.

To the OP, I've been using Vista Ultimate 64-bit, and so far so good. Operating systems in 64-bit are the future, but don't feel like you have to rush. It'll be a while before they completely do away with 32-bit operating systems.

 

did you run in many driver and software issues with 64 bit? i would think about going 64 myself but my notebook only supports 2 gigs of ram so no point really.

 

The upgrade must remain withing the 64, you cannot upgrade from 32 to 64.

 

I have not run into any such issues yet, honestly. At this moment in time, I have to say that the upgrade has been well worth it to me. I'm going to continue playing around and I'll keep you posted.

I would suggest that you give some thought to trying it out in the future, even though your notebook only supports 2GBs of RAM. I really don't think there's any real advantage to having a 64-bit operating system in present-day, but I think there will be many advantages in the future.

 

that's all well, but my main concern is actually obtaining a 64bit version of vista. i really just wanted to know if i am still able to download vista directly from microsoft or do i have to request a dvd for an x64 version?

 

what does that mean?

 

the 2 are not interchangeable. you cannot use a license on 64 from 32. you cannot have 32 on your system and then just simply upgrade it to 64. you need to have a 64 bit vista disk and do a fresh install that way.

 

you need a 64 bit disk to install 64 bit vista on your system.

 

well, this website makes it seem like you used to be able to download vista directly from microsoft for free and simply use your license to install it.

and i've read that you can use your 32bit license when installing the 64bit version. i know you need another disc, that wasn't my question.

 

I actually was not responding to you in my most previous post. I was responding to Vostro Guy. Sorry. I think the links are dead. You can try to obtain what you need from Windows Marketplace directly. Otherwise, you can try eBay, Newegg, or even your University campus (if you are a college student).

 

well, i just ordered 2gb of ram (1 dimm to go with the 1gb coming with my laptop) off of newegg. i'm just going to stick with vista home premium x86 for now. i probably don't need x64 anytime soon, and 3gb of ram is most likely going to be fine. maybe one day when i'm not so impatient and it's actually needed i will purchase another 2gb stick, get a 64bit version of vista, and all that jazz.. but for now, i think i'll be content with my 3gb of RAM, 32bit machine

 

You could upgrade from premium 64 to ultimate 64, but not from premuim 32 to ultimate 64, to do that you need a full 64 OS.

 

did i say ultimate? i meant just x64 home premium if i did. but it doesn't matter to me anymore. i think i'm just sticking with vista HP x86 for now.

 

yea, i never said anything about vista ultimate, so i don't really know what you're referring to

 

It was just an EXAMPLE, if you are upgrading from premium 32 to premium 64, you will need the full 64 OS. In other words, is NOT an UPGRADE, is a new OS, and a new key, capisce?

 

i know it's not an upgrade

 

Ok, so we are cool, you will need the disc, which will do a clean install so you better backup all your files before you do so.

 

Your OEM 32-bit license/key will work with 64-bit, you just have to find an OEM 64-bit disc.

If you ever buy a retail Ultimate, you will notice that it comes with both 32 and 64 bit versions, but share a single key.

OEM key works the same way, the same key will work on both 32 and 64 bit.

 

I'm not sure about that, but if he buys the 64 OS with a key, why would he use his 32's key? He could actually pass the 32 OS with the key to someone else.

 

Wow, what a mess here...

If you see the clean install guide in my signature, there is a link to another forum thread here about downloading the Vista files. They are similar to the links you already found, except they are known to be working. They are official Microsoft files, so you're not saving anything by buying the disc elsewhere.

Don't believe what you read. I guarantee that almost everything you have read has come from other guys who posted the same information based on something they read. None of them have any real experience with it either.

If your notebook has the 64-bit option available when you order it, then you will have no problems with it. All you need are the drivers which can probably be downloaded from Dell. Laptops have far fewer problems than desktops running 64-bit because all of the hardware if fixed in place. On desktops you can get a huge grab-bag of different configurations.

2 things there. The license IS interchangeable. If you have a license for 32-bit, you can use my ABR tool to backup the license and activation, then reinstall with 64-bit, then restore the license and activation.

As for "upgrade", this is a specific word that has specific meaning. In Windows, "upgrade" means the ability to install the new version while migrating over your settings from the old version. I think it's already been said, but going to 64-bit from 32-bit cannot do this.

You don't need a new key, just the one you already have.

 

the 32bit OEM licence also legally works if you install the 64bit version. They are practically the same thing.

Dell has actually made it official that its fine to upgrade from 32bit to 64bit OEM licence. I dont see why other manufacturers dont have the same policy

 

But what is this?

.....with the caveat that Dell does not provide complete 64 bit driver support for all platforms.........

 

They are mostly refering to the older notebooks that came with Vista.

Dell has 64bit driver support for most of their notebooks

 

Ok, it shocked me when I read it, I'm always suspicious of the fine prints.

 

Orev cleaned up the main points, but allow me to clarify...

• Your 32-bit license works for 64-bit Vista of the same version (ex. 32-bit Home Premium to 64-bit Home Premium).
• Installing 64-bit Vista over 32-bit will require a clean install, so you will need to back up your data first.
• Most all manufacturers provide 64-bit drivers, and the ones that they don't provide can be found with Google.

In your fist post you mentioned using a torrent. DON'T DO THIS. It's not worth the risk. You can buy a 64-bit disk cheap from Microsoft:
http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/content.aspx?ctId=444

There are plenty of people here willing to help with the transition to 64-bit. The only real issue you might have is finding drivers, but feel free to post your questions.

 

I'm not sure if you need to use the Cisco VPN at work, but I can assure you that the damned thing does not work with 64 bit Vista. I ended up reinstalling both 64 and 32 bit Vista Home Premium. Check out Lenovo's support for drivers before making your decision though.

 

No need to buy, with retail version, you can call M$ to request a 64-bit disc.

For OEM, that's depends on the manufacturers.

Either way, if you can find a 64-bit disc without a key, you can use your old 32-bit key.

But of course, you can only install the same version as before.

 

So you can really change out Vista premium 32 for 64? and honestly use the 32 license key? Have you heard of Gateway giving 64 bit OEM's out?

 

I've done that. Used my OEM 32 bit key, and used my retail 64bit disc(windows feedback panel) to perform a clean install. And I haven't heard of gateway giving out 64 bit keys or dvds. I've heard of laptop's being offered with 4 gigs of ram and pre-installed 64 bit OSes though.

 

yep, me too

works great!!

 

Yup, the 32-bit license works for 64-bit also.

Some manufacturers give out 64-bit disks upon request. You'll have to call and find out.

 

There are no "32-bit keys" and no "64-bit keys". There are only "Home Premium keys" or "Ultimate keys". The keys only represent the version of Vista you have, and are not checked at all against 32-bit or 64-bit.

If you want to switch your current install to 64-bit, you need to get a DVD that has the 64-bit OS on it. You can also skip the activation and typing in the key if you use my ABR tool to backup your activation before reinstalling. There are links in my clean install guide (in my sig) on where to (legally) download the Vista discs, as well as where to get ABR.

 

What the hell are you talking about?

 

Quick question about the keys though. I have a dell XPS M1530 with Vista Ultimate. I don't have a key as it's pre-activated (in the BIOS I think). If I obtain the 64-bit version from MS as linked above, will it pick up the same key as my OEM version from Dell? I also know there are key finders that will reveal the Product Key installed on your system. Should that work?

 

The key is not in the BIOS.

Key finders won't work because the key that's currently installed from the OEM will not activate, online or if you call them. You would have to use the one on the bottom of the laptop. OR, you can use my ABR tool to backup and restore it, and you don't need to deal with it. ABR is in my sig.

 

The 32 or 64 bit same key setup is for retail versions only I"m fairly certain, OEM licenses are only good for what was preinstalled. I could be wrong but I dont think so.

 

Heh. I never noticed the key on the bottom of the laptop. I was just looking at the DVD sleeves and whatnot. Thanks for the pointer.

You may be right. I visited the Windows Marketplace link posted above and attempted to get the media for 64-bit Vista Ultimate. You need to enter a valid key to place the order, and neither they key from the bottom of my notebook or the key found by WinKeyFinder would work. Seems I'd need to weasel a 64-bit DVD from Dell somehow. Man, do I hate dealing with Dell customer service. Talk about pounding your head against the wall.

 

I am right.

To order from Windows Marketplace you need a retail key, and it does not seem to take OEM keys. OEM keys are what came with your system. You probably will not get a DVD from Dell, but there are other places to get it. The best bet is to download it. See this thread for information about that:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=240320

 

Getting the software is only part of it, I highly doubt you can activate it with an OEM key, you may get lucky and get a rep that you could sweetalk your way into it, but I actualy had a little trouble getting my retail key activated.

 

This is why I've already mentioned ABR twice in this thread so far. You can use ABR to save your OEM activation and key and then restore it later without having to deal with Microsoft at all. Doesn't yet work with retail keys though.

 

Yeah, I'm not sure the key I received from Dell will work with the 64-bit version from the above links. I can only try. I do know that there are a number of threads on the Dell forums here that people have used their 32-bit Dell keys to activate 64-bit Vista successfully. Of course, many of them got the 64-but version from Dell, which apparently is possible but a real hit and miss prospect. Seems they'll send it if you fight long enough, but I've got no patience to spend hours on hold trying to get Dell to ship me a DVD.

 

OK, listen: I wrote the program ABR, Activation Backup and Restore. I also have done a lot of research on Vista license keys and the activation system. Let me assure you that you are talking to someone who you can consider an expert on Vista license keys and activation. I'm not here to debate whether it will work or not, and I'm not just giving my two cents. I'm telling you the authoritative facts about the situation.

When I tell you it will work, it will. Others here are just repeating rumors or hearsay, and have no direct experience with this. Other rumors mentioned here come from an incomplete understanding of how activation and license keys work.

 

Thanks Orev. I'll give it a go.

 

Just make sure to use ABR to safe yourself some hassle.

 

Yeah. I just downloaded it. I missed the part about ABR when I originally scanned through this thread. That's why I was fixated on getting my OEM key to work.

Thanks for the help.

 

orev is right

his abr tool is a simple, excellent way to safely and easily back up your oem key and vista certificate and then use it to restore the same back into a re-installation of vista

i have also used it to back up the 32bit information and restore it to a 64bit install..........