Question about Vista 32 - done something dumb

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Well, I just bought another couple fo sticks of ram to bump up my machine to 4gig. I then realised that Windows could only use 2.8 in my machine due to 32bit limitations. The rest of the memory addres space is being used by the graphics cards, PCI buses etc etc.

Now, can I simply sell on my copy of Vista 32 Ultimate without any issues ? I want to buy Vista 64 but not without trying to claw back some of the money spent on Vista 32.

I know I should have investigated first before buying the memory :rolleyes: - any advice would be appreciated cheers.
 
^ never knew you could do that! I'll be looking to do just that when I reinstall Vista and go 64bit !
 
I've been thinking about this a little more. The link provided above appears to provide extra media only - so it seems that my current Vista32 product code will work with a Vista64 DVD.

Now, wouldn't it be easier for me to just torrent a copy of Vista64 and then install it using my legit and paid for Vista32 product code ?

Surely this is all above board and will work right ?
 
Ahh forgot about this.

My dad wants to upgrade to Vista, it is ace and would suit him great. I bought Vista Premium OEM 32-bit a couple weeks back, but have yet to activate it as i need/want 64-bit.

I was thinking having him buy the 64-bit, then just giving him my 32-bit version as it isn't activated, so HOPEFULLY isn't tied to my motherboard. Then use his 64-bit install.

Seems a bit of a muchness to order another copy of Vista for him, then an upgrade media DVD for me, might aswell get him 64-bit, then just swap OSes.

Does anyone know if this is definately the case? I can use an unactivated Vista OEM on my dads machine after removing it from mine?

Also retail is so not needed, OEM would suffice, only just upgraded PC's, but buying OEM requires you buy a piece of essential hardware with it, like a core component. Would a DVD drive count? There doesn't seem to be a definition lol.
 
Ahh good point you've raised actually, if that's the case, when they send the 64-bit upgrade disc, i assume it doesn't come with a new key. I heard it's for retail users, but then again, retail comes wiht both anyway, so i don't know the point of that alernative media page if OEM users can't do it too.

I'll do the swap over like i said then, buy the 64-bit version and give my dad my 32-bit unactivated version.
 
Ok, here's the final word. I tried the link provided above but it just came back with an error when I entered my details :rolleyes:

So I rang Microsoft UK and explained my situation. Basically, for a small fee (£16) they will send out another DVD containing Vista 64 Ultimate. I explained that I had a System Builders OEM version and they said that was fine and I am to continue using my current product key. If you have an oem version that came pre-installed then you are stuffed.

So there you have it, if you have System Builders OEM version of Vista 32 you can easily move on upto Vista 64 just by ordering the replacement DVD or I suppose simply downloading it and legitimately installing it with your current key. :)
 
Zap/V3g3tto

Burnsy has asked MS licensing directly on this one - your OEM license is valid for either 32 or 64 bit, irrespective of which one you actually bought in the first place.

Fairly sure this info's in the sticky.
 
This info isn't even supplied on the MS website, so doubt it's in the sticky ;)

They say, directly from a MS representatives mouth, that if you have a system builders OEM version, you go through the vendor as they are responsible for it. They will not upgrade OEM versions as technically it wasn't purchased from them lol.

So it's interesting you say they also claim OEM is fine. Will try it tonight, 2GB RAM really isn't future proof at all, need 64-bit. Though i gotta be fast, got maybe 9 days left on activation, unless i fiddle with the file a bit.
 
Or, thanks to some spiffy research by yours truly, this:

"In order to rearm Windows Vista, you simply have to enter slmgr.vbs -rearm in the command prompt window."

Legend has it, you can do this upto 3 times.

This actually came from a blog and quoted off a MS rep, who was giving advice to a Vista reviewer who found out how nasty Vista is when the timer runs out..
 
Heres a link for the real windows Anytime Upgrade Disc 32 & 64 and a guide on how to reactivate your vista without having to ring Ms all legit.(i think) :)
so you can upgrade from 32 bit oem to 64 bit.

Anytime Upgrade Disc 64x:http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/12/22/64-bit-x64-windows-vista-official-direct-download-links/

Reactivation guide: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=120228/

im not 100% but i think this might be what your looking for without having to send for the disc of Ms and without PAYING THE POSTAGE.
 
Havent activated my Vista yet due to realising my mistake almost instantly, just been searching ways of getting hold of the 64-bit install really.

I'm told by some that keys work in both 32-bit and 64-bit, others say they are different, some say you can use the official anytime upgrade with OEM, others same you can't. No one on these forums knows tbh, not even microsoft (yes they've been asked).

Also, was under the impression the anytime upgrade was upgrading say 32 bit premium to 32 bit ultimate, etc, not 32-bit to 64 bit? It's the alternative media page which sends you the 32-bit to 64-bit disk, which they say you can't use if system builder/OEM.

But if that's a link to a 64-bit DL, thanks a lot!! :D. I'll set it to DL overnight as i'm sure it's huge, then start backing up files tomorrow.

And yeh, if the postage is £16 and could take weeks lol, this is very useful thank you (can't check at work, some sites randomly blocked).
 
Ok, read through the second link you provided. Seems all Vista discs are identical in everyway. Only difference being they are locked into installing a certain version. So if that DL link works, can just DL the 64-bit version and hopefully my key works (no reason it shouldn't, it's for the premium edition).

Apparently MS have stopped the anytime upgrade program, which is suprising as the option is still in Vista, though this only allows upgrading within the same architecture like i said.

Edit: Lol trying to find out if the 32bit key will work with a 64-bit install, it's completely 50-50, but sifting through the gimps who don't know crap, seems it sohuld work as the key's apparently work for 32 & 64.
 
Last edited:
V3g3tto said:
This info isn't even supplied on the MS website, so doubt it's in the sticky ;)
Click to expand...
Well, it is:

Sticky said:
Vista OEM can be 'cross-graded' between 32 and 64 bit without the need for a new license.

OEM.Microsoft.com said:
The customer can switch between x32 and x64 as long as they don't use both versions at the same time. You can go to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246/en-us for more information on getting the media.
--
Microsoft OEM System Builder Licensing Team
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=7368884&postcount=40
 
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