Have Vista 64-bit, need 32-bit OS - how?

Recently had a computer built for me at Computer Builder's Warehouse
(unformatted). I bought Vista 64-bit Home Premium (OEM) from them and
installed it. Proceeded to find out that I would need to buy new joystick,
new video editing software, new anti-virus, my old games don't work, new
games get lower FPS, etc.

Tried to take it back and exchange for XP Home. CBW says "can't, you opened
the box, Microsoft won't let us, they will fire us". They won't even
exchange it for Vista 32-bit or give me 32-bit Vista media.

How can I get media for XP home (preferrably) or Vista 32-bit? Microsoft
site only seems to let me order 64-bit media if I have 32-bit.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvis...ia/default.mspx


"jlederer" <jlederer@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F5607FDB-EBBA-40E0-A764-E486A460894A@microsoft.com...
> Recently had a computer built for me at Computer Builder's Warehouse
> (unformatted). I bought Vista 64-bit Home Premium (OEM) from them and
> installed it. Proceeded to find out that I would need to buy new
> joystick,
> new video editing software, new anti-virus, my old games don't work, new
> games get lower FPS, etc.
>
> Tried to take it back and exchange for XP Home. CBW says "can't, you
> opened
> the box, Microsoft won't let us, they will fire us". They won't even
> exchange it for Vista 32-bit or give me 32-bit Vista media.
>
> How can I get media for XP home (preferrably) or Vista 32-bit? Microsoft
> site only seems to let me order 64-bit media if I have 32-bit.

Thanks...Tried it. I get the following message:

We're sorry, the following error(s) have occurred:
No Offer Found

I think it's because the standard "offer" is for owners of 32-bit Vista so
my product key being 64-bit is not "valid" for this "offer".

"Mark Maylon" wrote:

> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvis...ia/default.mspx
>
>
> "jlederer" <jlederer@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:F5607FDB-EBBA-40E0-A764-E486A460894A@microsoft.com...
> > Recently had a computer built for me at Computer Builder's Warehouse
> > (unformatted). I bought Vista 64-bit Home Premium (OEM) from them and
> > installed it. Proceeded to find out that I would need to buy new
> > joystick,
> > new video editing software, new anti-virus, my old games don't work, new
> > games get lower FPS, etc.
> >
> > Tried to take it back and exchange for XP Home. CBW says "can't, you
> > opened
> > the box, Microsoft won't let us, they will fire us". They won't even
> > exchange it for Vista 32-bit or give me 32-bit Vista media.
> >
> > How can I get media for XP home (preferrably) or Vista 32-bit? Microsoft
> > site only seems to let me order 64-bit media if I have 32-bit.
>

That is because you have a OEM version. Microsoft will not touch the OEM because it is not theirs. It is an Original Equipment Manufacturer issue and you will have to bring it up with them whoever they are and as it is marked on the disk.

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"jlederer" <jlederer@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:CB453078-8763-49ED-AB3F-353720127FF1@microsoft.com...
> Thanks...Tried it. I get the following message:
>
> We're sorry, the following error(s) have occurred:
> No Offer Found
>
> I think it's because the standard "offer" is for owners of 32-bit Vista so
> my product key being 64-bit is not "valid" for this "offer".
>
> "Mark Maylon" wrote:
>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvis...ia/default.mspx
>>
>>
>> "jlederer" <jlederer@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:F5607FDB-EBBA-40E0-A764-E486A460894A@microsoft.com...
>> > Recently had a computer built for me at Computer Builder's Warehouse
>> > (unformatted). I bought Vista 64-bit Home Premium (OEM) from them and
>> > installed it. Proceeded to find out that I would need to buy new
>> > joystick,
>> > new video editing software, new anti-virus, my old games don't work, new
>> > games get lower FPS, etc.
>> >
>> > Tried to take it back and exchange for XP Home. CBW says "can't, you
>> > opened
>> > the box, Microsoft won't let us, they will fire us". They won't even
>> > exchange it for Vista 32-bit or give me 32-bit Vista media.
>> >
>> > How can I get media for XP home (preferrably) or Vista 32-bit? Microsoft
>> > site only seems to let me order 64-bit media if I have 32-bit.
>>

Yeah, you're probably right. MS support told me to call their "refund
center" on Monday, but I don't know what they will do.

"Peter Foldes" wrote:

> That is because you have a OEM version. Microsoft will not touch the OEM because it is not theirs. It is an Original Equipment Manufacturer issue and you will have to bring it up with them whoever they are and as it is marked on the disk.
>
> --
> Peter
>
> Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
> Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.
>
> "jlederer" <jlederer@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:CB453078-8763-49ED-AB3F-353720127FF1@microsoft.com...
> > Thanks...Tried it. I get the following message:
> >
> > We're sorry, the following error(s) have occurred:
> > No Offer Found
> >
> > I think it's because the standard "offer" is for owners of 32-bit Vista so
> > my product key being 64-bit is not "valid" for this "offer".
> >
> > "Mark Maylon" wrote:
> >
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvis...ia/default.mspx
> >>
> >>
> >> "jlederer" <jlederer@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:F5607FDB-EBBA-40E0-A764-E486A460894A@microsoft.com...
> >> > Recently had a computer built for me at Computer Builder's Warehouse
> >> > (unformatted). I bought Vista 64-bit Home Premium (OEM) from them and
> >> > installed it. Proceeded to find out that I would need to buy new
> >> > joystick,
> >> > new video editing software, new anti-virus, my old games don't work, new
> >> > games get lower FPS, etc.
> >> >
> >> > Tried to take it back and exchange for XP Home. CBW says "can't, you
> >> > opened
> >> > the box, Microsoft won't let us, they will fire us". They won't even
> >> > exchange it for Vista 32-bit or give me 32-bit Vista media.
> >> >
> >> > How can I get media for XP home (preferrably) or Vista 32-bit? Microsoft
> >> > site only seems to let me order 64-bit media if I have 32-bit.
> >>
>

"jlederer" <jlederer@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F5607FDB-EBBA-40E0-A764-E486A460894A@microsoft.com...
> Recently had a computer built for me at Computer Builder's Warehouse
> (unformatted). I bought Vista 64-bit Home Premium (OEM) from them and
> installed it. Proceeded to find out that I would need to buy new
> joystick,
> new video editing software, new anti-virus, my old games don't work, new
> games get lower FPS, etc.
>
> Tried to take it back and exchange for XP Home. CBW says "can't, you
> opened
> the box, Microsoft won't let us, they will fire us". They won't even
> exchange it for Vista 32-bit or give me 32-bit Vista media.
>
> How can I get media for XP home (preferrably) or Vista 32-bit? Microsoft
> site only seems to let me order 64-bit media if I have 32-bit.

No need to buy new anti-virus: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

I would continue and spend what is necessary for the hardware that you need
for your enjoyment. The 64-bit version was made for what you are doing. Most
32-bit programs will run on a 64-bit machine. However, with no additional
advantage in speed. You got what you asked for without doing the research
necessary to protect your investment.

"Charles W Davis" <Anthemwebs@lvcoxmail.com> wrote in message
news:8055DBEC-1376-4588-9AC0-72820D7701D7@microsoft.com...

> No need to buy new anti-virus: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
>
> Most 32-bit programs will run on a 64-bit machine.

Not AVG Free Edition, though...

Why don't you buy an oem copy of XP home. If you have an old windows disk
you can use the upgrade version and its less than $90 us.


"jlederer" <jlederer@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:66D11612-9FEE-46BE-A9FA-E0DFC46BA8AB@microsoft.com...
> Yeah, you're probably right. MS support told me to call their "refund
> center" on Monday, but I don't know what they will do.
>
> "Peter Foldes" wrote:
>
>> That is because you have a OEM version. Microsoft will not touch the OEM
>> because it is not theirs. It is an Original Equipment Manufacturer issue
>> and you will have to bring it up with them whoever they are and as it is
>> marked on the disk.
>>
>> --
>> Peter
>>
>> Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
>> Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.
>>
>> "jlederer" <jlederer@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:CB453078-8763-49ED-AB3F-353720127FF1@microsoft.com...
>> > Thanks...Tried it. I get the following message:
>> >
>> > We're sorry, the following error(s) have occurred:
>> > No Offer Found
>> >
>> > I think it's because the standard "offer" is for owners of 32-bit Vista
>> > so
>> > my product key being 64-bit is not "valid" for this "offer".
>> >
>> > "Mark Maylon" wrote:
>> >
>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvis...ia/default.mspx
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "jlederer" <jlederer@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:F5607FDB-EBBA-40E0-A764-E486A460894A@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Recently had a computer built for me at Computer Builder's Warehouse
>> >> > (unformatted). I bought Vista 64-bit Home Premium (OEM) from them
>> >> > and
>> >> > installed it. Proceeded to find out that I would need to buy new
>> >> > joystick,
>> >> > new video editing software, new anti-virus, my old games don't work,
>> >> > new
>> >> > games get lower FPS, etc.
>> >> >
>> >> > Tried to take it back and exchange for XP Home. CBW says "can't,
>> >> > you
>> >> > opened
>> >> > the box, Microsoft won't let us, they will fire us". They won't
>> >> > even
>> >> > exchange it for Vista 32-bit or give me 32-bit Vista media.
>> >> >
>> >> > How can I get media for XP home (preferrably) or Vista 32-bit?
>> >> > Microsoft
>> >> > site only seems to let me order 64-bit media if I have 32-bit.
>> >>
>>

Unfortunately many programs won't run .

"Mark Rae" <mark@markNOSPAMrae.com> wrote in message
news:eqCzItgeHHA.5056@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> "Charles W Davis" <Anthemwebs@lvcoxmail.com> wrote in message
> news:8055DBEC-1376-4588-9AC0-72820D7701D7@microsoft.com...
>
>> No need to buy new anti-virus: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
>>
>> Most 32-bit programs will run on a 64-bit machine.
>
> Not AVG Free Edition, though...
>

That's a possibility. Apparently I could also buy an academic vista home
32-bit upgrade for about $65 according to pricegrabber (could give it to my
daughter for her PC and use her XP license for my new one). I would like MS
to get me back the $150 CBW charged me for the Vista 64-bit license though,
since I have no use for it.

"John Barnes" wrote:

> Why don't you buy an oem copy of XP home. If you have an old windows disk
> you can use the upgrade version and its less than $90 us.
>
>
> "jlederer" <jlederer@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:66D11612-9FEE-46BE-A9FA-E0DFC46BA8AB@microsoft.com...
> > Yeah, you're probably right. MS support told me to call their "refund
> > center" on Monday, but I don't know what they will do.
> >
> > "Peter Foldes" wrote:
> >
> >> That is because you have a OEM version. Microsoft will not touch the OEM
> >> because it is not theirs. It is an Original Equipment Manufacturer issue
> >> and you will have to bring it up with them whoever they are and as it is
> >> marked on the disk.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Peter
> >>
> >> Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
> >> Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.
> >>
> >> "jlederer" <jlederer@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:CB453078-8763-49ED-AB3F-353720127FF1@microsoft.com...
> >> > Thanks...Tried it. I get the following message:
> >> >
> >> > We're sorry, the following error(s) have occurred:
> >> > No Offer Found
> >> >
> >> > I think it's because the standard "offer" is for owners of 32-bit Vista
> >> > so
> >> > my product key being 64-bit is not "valid" for this "offer".
> >> >
> >> > "Mark Maylon" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvis...ia/default.mspx
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> "jlederer" <jlederer@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:F5607FDB-EBBA-40E0-A764-E486A460894A@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > Recently had a computer built for me at Computer Builder's Warehouse
> >> >> > (unformatted). I bought Vista 64-bit Home Premium (OEM) from them
> >> >> > and
> >> >> > installed it. Proceeded to find out that I would need to buy new
> >> >> > joystick,
> >> >> > new video editing software, new anti-virus, my old games don't work,
> >> >> > new
> >> >> > games get lower FPS, etc.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Tried to take it back and exchange for XP Home. CBW says "can't,
> >> >> > you
> >> >> > opened
> >> >> > the box, Microsoft won't let us, they will fire us". They won't
> >> >> > even
> >> >> > exchange it for Vista 32-bit or give me 32-bit Vista media.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > How can I get media for XP home (preferrably) or Vista 32-bit?
> >> >> > Microsoft
> >> >> > site only seems to let me order 64-bit media if I have 32-bit.
> >> >>
> >>
>
>