Upgrade from Vista Ultimate (32 bit version) to 64 bit version?

J

Jack

I recently bought a new computer pre-installed with Vista Ultimate.
However, the version installed on the computer is the 32 bit version,
not the 64 bit version. Does anyone know if there is there a way to
change it to the 64 bit version?

As I understand Vista Ultimate (32 bit version), I will only be able
to install up to 4 GIGs of RAM even though my motherboard can handle
up to 8 Gigs of RAM and my processor is a 64 bit processor. Is there a
way I can install Vista Ultimate 64 bit version for free, by using the
Vista Ultimate Windows Activation key that came with my new computer?

Any information will help.

thanks!
 
S

Stan

do you have any software that is 64 bit. if not it is a waste of time
no i haven't bought vista yet stan
 
J

Jack

no I do not have the 64 bit version. the 32 bit version was
preinstalled on my new computer.

I just asked my computer manufacturer about this and they were no
help. According to the following Microsoft site, the 64 bit version
should be available to those with the 32 bit version, but it says
nothing if it should be available to those who bought a new computer
with vista.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/64bit.mspx


Here's another page which says I should be able to upgrade from one
version of vista to another. But again it says nothing about being
able to upgrade from 32 bit version of Vista to the 64 bit version:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pr...orupgrade/windowsanytimeupgrade/overview.mspx



Does anyone else have any insight on the subject?
 
R

Rock

Jack said:
I recently bought a new computer pre-installed with Vista Ultimate.
However, the version installed on the computer is the 32 bit version,
not the 64 bit version. Does anyone know if there is there a way to
change it to the 64 bit version?

As I understand Vista Ultimate (32 bit version), I will only be able
to install up to 4 GIGs of RAM even though my motherboard can handle
up to 8 Gigs of RAM and my processor is a 64 bit processor. Is there a
way I can install Vista Ultimate 64 bit version for free, by using the
Vista Ultimate Windows Activation key that came with my new computer?

You have to work with the computer vendor on this. If you bought a retail
version of Vista it would come with both disks (for Ultimate) or with the
info on how to send for the x64 version (all other Visa versions). The same
retail product keys works on both versions. With an OEM it's between you
and them.

You cannot do an in place upgrade from x86 to x64, only a custom install.
 
S

Scott

You have to work with the computer vendor on this. If you bought a retail
version of Vista it would come with both disks (for Ultimate) or with the
info on how to send for the x64 version (all other Visa versions). The same
retail product keys works on both versions. With an OEM it's between you
and them.

You cannot do an in place upgrade from x86 to x64, only a custom install.


And when I last checked none of the "majors" (e.g. Dell, HP, Gateway,
Lenovo...) was offering 64-bit Vista as an option (at least in most
cases).

Me thinks it's going to be tough getting a new PC with 64-bit Vista
pre-installed unless one deals with a more specialized vendor.

After all, XP 64-bit has been out for what, a few years now? I've not
seen it as an option anywhere either (however you *can* buy OEM
versions of it on your own).
 
J

Jack

I spoke too soon. This web page won't help people who bought a
computer with Vista Ultimate. I called the Microsft 800 number found
on a link from that page, and the operator told me that. She also said
that my computer should have came with a CD/DVD with both versions.
I'll have to check this. If this is not the case, then I am afraid
there is no way to upgrade from Ultimate 32 to Ultimate 64.
 
G

Guest

I bought vista the day it was released. And still had to order the 64 bit
version. you can order the version from microsoft it cost me 13.99 plus
shipping
 
J

Jack

I bought vista the day it was released. And still had to order the 64 bit
version. you can order the version from Microsoft it cost me 13.99 plus shipping

I did not buy the stand alone retail version of Vista or have a non-
Ultimate version like it sounds like you may have. I bought a computer
pre-installed with Vista Ultimate 32 bit. The Microsoft representative
I talked to said ordering the 64 bit version of Vista was not
available to me in my particular case. I would have to work with the
computer manufacturer who made the computer.

I took the MS representative's advice and talked to the OEM once again
and finally I was told that if my computer was capable of the 64 bit
OS (which it is), then they would send me the 64 bit DVD. I'll report
back here if they honor their promise and indeed allow me to upgrade
to the 64 bit version.
 
G

Guest

I hope they do honor it for you, I have a hard time understanding microsoft
some times ( why does it matter) as long as you have their operating system
on your computer. One would think they would of helped you out. I was so
Pissed off when i went to install vista, and could only install the 32 bit (
64 bit is not on the disks ) I even talked to the sales rep, about 64 bit.
and on the label it said 64 bit. now when the disk does get here. i have to
reinstall all over again.

I ordered the disk 9 days ago still not here. I bought some software from EB
games on line 31 hours it was at my door ( could not believe it) little
company went all out. you might have a long wait from your vender to get your
version of vista 64.
 
R

Rock

loaderopp said:
I hope they do honor it for you, I have a hard time understanding microsoft
some times ( why does it matter) as long as you have their operating
system
on your computer. One would think they would of helped you out. I was so
Pissed off when i went to install vista, and could only install the 32 bit
(
64 bit is not on the disks ) I even talked to the sales rep, about 64 bit.
and on the label it said 64 bit. now when the disk does get here. i have
to
reinstall all over again.

I ordered the disk 9 days ago still not here. I bought some software from
EB
games on line 31 hours it was at my door ( could not believe it) little
company went all out. you might have a long wait from your vender to get
your
version of vista 64.

An OEM version is not handled through MS. OEM is the province of the
computer vendor from which the computer was obtained. You have to deal with
them. If you bought a retail copy that would be different.
 
J

Jack

An update to my situation:

I contacted my OEM (Gateway) and they reneged on their original
promise of providing me the 64 bit version of the OS that is installed
on my computer. It seems like I have 3 options before me:

1) Get the retail version of Vista Ultimate 64 bit version. I don't
really see this as an option as the whole point of getting a computer
preinstalled with Vista Ultimate is to save money on the operating
system.

2) Wait until my OEM (Gateway) starts selling computers preinstalled
with the 64 bit version on their computers, then call them back and
see if they will honor their original promise.

3) Wait for Microsoft to provide an upgrade path to allow me to
upgrade from a 32 bit version OEM OS copy to a 64 bit version OS.
In my opinion, Microsoft really should have thought of providing such
an upgrade path from the start. I think some of Microsoft's user
dissatisfaction stems from their relying too heavily on OEMs. I had
previously had a Windows XP Media Center PC and when they upgraded to
Media Center 2005, the only way to upgrade was to rely/hope that your
OEM provided the upgrade path. Many OEM's took a long time to
reluctantly provide this upgrade. I think Microsoft in that and this
case, should be helping customers more directly.
 
A

Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]

This is really a problem specific to the OEM, not Microsoft. If your
computer came with Vista x86 and you need the 64-bit media instead, its the
responsibility of the OEM to provide that. It is made clear by Microsoft
that only Vista Ultimate retail package includes both platforms. 32-bit and
64-bit are architectually different which would make it impossible to
upgrade either from the other.

Order Alternate media:

Learn more here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

Learn more here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/versions/default.mspx
 
J

JackHand

This is really a problem specific to the OEM, not Microsoft.

I guess then we'll have to agree to disagree on this point.
In my opinion, if Microsoft can provide retail users with a 64 bit
copy, then they should be able to provide a 64 bit copy to those users
who bought their computer (and OS) thru a computer manufacturer.
 
J

Jack

This is really a problem specific to the OEM, not Microsoft.

I guess then we'll have to agree to disagree on this point.
In my opinion, if Microsoft can provide retail users with a 64 bit
copy, then they should be able to provide a 64 bit copy to those users
who bought their computer (and OS) thru a computer manufacturer.
 
A

Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]

Microsoft does provide it to the OEM to give you the 64-bit version, it just
seems that the OEM is having problems providing it to you.
 
J

Jack

Microsoft does provide it to the OEM to give you the 64-bit version, it just
seems that the OEM is having problems providing it to you.

That's the problem with Microsoft: they trust the OEM when they could
very well offer it themselves, in addition to allowing the OEM to
offer it as well. I challenge you to tell me any OEM that offers any
of their customers a 64 bit upgrade from Vista Ultimate 32 bit.
Gateway doesn't. In another forum, someone else was saying Dell wasn't
either. If 2 of the major OEMs doesn't offer, then I highly doubt any
of the OEMs offer this upgrade path.

Perhaps that's why Apple doesn't allow anyone else build Apple
computers. They know other companies would mess things up just like
Microsoft OEMs do all the time. To not go to the extreme of Apple,
which isn't good either, I feel Microsoft should assume OEMs won't do
something. Microsoft should provide OEMs the option to do the right
thing but Microsoft should still offer alternative means for users to
upgrade.

All I can say is that my next computer will be one that I build from
scratch so I don't have to worry about such nonsense.
 
G

Guest

Thanks all for this discussion as I have the same problem with my recently
purchased computer. It has 32-bit Vista Ultimate pre-installed. Sad to see so
many wires crossed when it comes to this 64-bit configuation problem (or rip
off). Also Windows Live Onecare (anti-virus) does not run on the 64-bit
operating system though Microsoft has released it's 64-bit version all the
same (strange). The problem lies squarely with Microsoft, as they are big
enough to know but not big enough to tell. We customers ought to ban together
and exert a class-action law suit. I say that as if Microsoft isn't already
aware of such potential. Though the general public can easily be duped, not
so the other software giants. I'm waiting for one of them to be burned by
Microsoft's operating neglegence.

At $1799.99 (Cdn) this new computer's going back for a full refund until the
folks involved finally get their trip wires straightened out. I suggest all
of you do the same, too.

Hit them where it hurts!
 
G

Guest

... as an added note to the below message I had already posted earilier this
morning I just found a Microsoft Canada webpage pertaining to installation
choices for 64-bit consumer versions of Windows Vista. You will find the
procedure that is involved, in the very topic we are discussing, near the
bottom of that webpage under: "Installing a 64-bit version of Windows Vista
on a computer that is running a different 64-bit version of Windows Vista".
You won't believe what has to be done to upgrade your Vista Untimate to the
64 bit version. It requires formating your 32 bit version, installing WINDOWS
XP and then upgrading to Ultimate 64 bit. WOW! I really have to get a refund
and then re-order a custom version, it seems, as the retailers are not
selling Ultimate 64 bit versions pre-installed yet.
 
G

Guest

Man i totally agree, this is a rip off. I bought a custom made computer
online and i found out that they dont offer the 64 bit cd. The company i
bough from told me i would have to buy the 64 bit cd seperately. This is a
total waste of time, i think microsoft should have cd's for people like me
where i'm stuck buying a new cd and wasting more money.
 

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