legally install same copy of Vista on desktop and laptop?

ljt · 16 Jul 2009 at 19:33

I have a retail copy of Vista Home Premium, that I currently have installed on my desktop PC.

I have recently bought a laptop with Vista Home Premium on, but its installed as 32bit. However, the laptop has 4gb ram and a 1gb graphics card, so half of it isn't really being used

I have read somewhere, that some Vista Licenses allow you to install on both a desktop and a mobile PC.

Has anyone heard this too, and if its legal etc? Would I be able to install the 64bit of the Vista I am currently using on my desktop, onto my laptop

or

Would the OEM license on my laptops Vista, be ok to use with the 64bit Retail disc I have from my desktop

hope that makes sense

Regards

Lee

Glaucus · 16 Jul 2009 at 19:35

first one is no.

2nd one I do believe keys are valid for 32 or 64bit. Bu I'm not sure you can do it as one is oem and one is retail? Nott sure.

ljt · 16 Jul 2009 at 19:38

thanks for the prompt reply.

Its not a real biggy. I have Win 7 pre-ordered which will go on my desktop on release, so i'll use my current Vista retail on my laptop eventually.

I just thought there may be some legal way to actually make use of the Ram etc with the licenses etc that i currently hold

Glaucus · 16 Jul 2009 at 19:40

you might be able to. I know if you can transfer keys from 32bit to 64bit,. It's jjust because one isretail and one is 64bit.

Actually thinking back there is a link to the Microsoft site for 64bit cds for both retail and oem. Not sure which hread though. Only costs £6 or so

something daft already!! · 16 Jul 2009 at 19:42

If you pop you Vista x64 DVD in the drive, regardless of which disk version you have, retail, OEM, VLK it matters not as it sorts itself out as to what version to install by the serial number you type in. So if you use you Vista OEM key from the bottom of the laptop, it will install the correct OEM version of Vista for you in all it's x64 goodness.

If you can obtain some clean media for x64 it does not really matter from where, you are using the key which is the important part.

Glaucus · 16 Jul 2009 at 19:43

cool,

also heres the link if you want a disk
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

ljt · 16 Jul 2009 at 19:49

cheers for the help guys!

I'll use my Vista Retail 64bit and see what happens when I put in the laptops OEM key.

The only hesitation I have now is the fact that I might not be able to get Acers software to work on the 64bit edition, and half the quick launch buttons on the laptop wont work.
Maybe this is why they have installed 32bit in the first place!

philjohn · 16 Jul 2009 at 21:46

ljt said:
cheers for the help guys!

I'll use my Vista Retail 64bit and see what happens when I put in the laptops OEM key.

The only hesitation I have now is the fact that I might not be able to get Acers software to work on the 64bit edition, and half the quick launch buttons on the laptop wont work.
Maybe this is why they have installed 32bit in the first place!

Wait! Before you wipe, get a copy of "Activation Backup and Restore" which backs up the OEM VLK certs and key, you then run it again on the fresh install and it re-installs the VLK key and you are activated, by using the sticker on the bottom you will need to phone up microsoft and key in a load of numbers.

I've done this on my Lenovo ThinkPad as the default install is a little heavy for my liking, so I took our Microsoft Action Pack Vista install disc and did a fresh install (of 64 bit naturally).