Recovery from Vista installation error?

[Guest]

I've just finished a build of a completely new computer. The hardware phase
went fairly smoothly, but I made an admittedly stupid mistake when I
installed Vista for the first time: I selected 32-bit architecture when my
motherboard actually supports 64-bit.

My graphics card is supported by 64-bit, but NOT by 32-bit, so I want to
correct my setting. Unfortunately, every time I try to re-install Vista, it
simply skips over the step where it offered me an option for the appropriate
architecture.

I tried a Custom Install to format the hard drives again, but Vista STILL
remembers the 32-bit selection and just automatically keeps that choice.

What can I do to change to 64-bit?? I don't have any data files on the new
build, so I don't mind erasing the hard drives. But after making this
mistake, I'm afraid I'll do more damage if I try to recover by guesswork.

I don't have a floppy drive, so can I make a boot CD from Vista? And will
manually erasing the hard drive that let me change the architecture or will
Vista continue to "remember" the 32-bit mistake? If so, where can I erase
that memory?

Please help me!

 

[Chad Harris]

Carmen--

1) After you installed Vista and selected 32-bit architecture what happened?

If you keep trying to reinstall Vista, did you format? It would also give
you the opportunity to format during setup.

2) If you are trying to reinstall why not format and this time install (you
wrote "I tried a Custom Install to format the hard drives again" and did you
get it formatted?

CH

 

[Dennis Pack]

Chad:
I have a dumb question that you may have the answer to before I give the
wrong answers. Since I don't have Vista RTM yet, has there been a change to
the Vista release is for x86 and x64 are on the same disk? If that hasn't
changed wouldn't the OP need to use the x64 disk to install Vista x64 if the
computer was compatible with x64? Sorry but I had chemotherapy yesterday and
am trying to catch-up on two days postings. Have a great day.

 

[Guest]

Hey Chad,

The 32-bit install worked just fine in the sense that I have a functional
interface in Windows. But my graphics card is not recognized as openGL, which
led to me to check out the nVidia web site and learn that this particular
card (GeFroce6800T) works with Vista x64 but evidently is not supported in
32-bit mode.

So, I went back to my Vista Ultimate install CD (which offers all three
architecture options in one disk). I booted from the CD and it began the
installation routine again.

I chose the "Custom Installation" option so I could wipe out the previous
install, and this option included a hard disk format approach that warned me
I would lose everything. Great! I wanted to lose everything.

The install then immediately continued, without ever showing me the options
of choosing 32-bit, 64-bit etc. It just automatically proceeded along the
32-bit path.

So, is there any way to undo my bad choice? Where is this "32-bit" option
stored that it can't be deleted? Please bear in mind that I'm a NOVICE when
it comes to software (and hardware), so just saying "wipe your hard disk"
doesn't mean much to me without a step-by-step guide.

Thanks!

 

[Guest]

I'm using an install disk for Vista Ultimate, which is the one licensed to
the company at which I work. All three options (32, x64, and x86) were
presented as an option on my first install attempt.

I selected 32-bit because I wasn't sure what the correct option was, but I
figured I could always reinstall if I didn't get it right.

Boy, was THAT a mistake.

 

[Chad Harris]

Carmen--

"The install then immediately continued, without ever showing me the options
of choosing 32-bit, 64-bit etc. It just automatically proceeded along the
32-bit path."

I don't know why it is doing this.

This is hard for me to understand. I am trying to think of what to do. If
the OS were still on the box, I'd have also tried a Startup Repair from the
DVD's recovery option. If you've formatted, I can't imagine why it would
not give you the same options. I also wonder if having those choices on one
DVD is because it is within the context of your corporate enterprise at
work, because I recall Colin Barnhorst and possibly others saying for the
home and small biz user, MSFT was going to allow the option to send for a 64
bit DVD after a purchase which is not the way I'd be doing it for customers.

Hopefully someone else will have a suggestion for you.

CH

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

"32" and "x86" are the same thing.

I'm using an install disk for Vista Ultimate, which is the one licensed to
the company at which I work. All three options (32, x64, and x86) were
presented as an option on my first install attempt.

I selected 32-bit because I wasn't sure what the correct option was, but I
figured I could always reinstall if I didn't get it right.

Boy, was THAT a mistake.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Custom Install does not format the hard drive. To format the hard drive
from Vista Setup you choose the Acvanced Options on the right of the screen
at the point where you pick the targe partition. Format will be one of
several options under the Advanced Options. Vista does a quick format. You
may format any partitions at this stage. Then you proceed with the Custom
Install.

 

[Guest]

Hi Colin,

Been there, done that.

At the Custom Install screen, I chose the Advanced Options and then selected
"format" for my one partition. I thought that would do it, but no. Vista
proceeded to install as 32-bit and never presented me with an option to do
otherwise.

Very frustrating. But I've decided I'm too much of newbie to walk on the
cutting edge. I'm about to go out and buy XP-Pro instead, and stay with that
for at least the next 6 month. That will give drivers a chance to catch up
with Vista, too.

Carmen

 

[Chad Harris]

I just remember that I began to see the option and you're right, Colinby
clicking on Advanced in setup I think about 2 builds before RTM (my memory
could be foggy because all of us hold so many incremental changes in our
heads from these different builds unless they are written down
somewhere)--it could have been present in more builds and I just didn't
notice it.

I usually just go to the custom install button or hyperlink because I'm
targeting a particular drive. If you have clarification info Colin on how
64 bit Vista RTM is going to work vis a vis DVDs and I think you had
mentioned the option to order a 64 bit DVD (I don't for the life of me
understand why there wouldn't be straightforward purchase options for Vista
64 bit. I remember your saying that there would be no cross-platform
upgrades, and I took that to mean that someone couldn't take an XP 64 bit
and have an upgrade path to Vista but I'm not using 64 bit yet, and not
clear on it at all.

Dennis had asked on this thread.

CH

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

By cross-platform upgrade, I mean x86 to x64.

To my knowledge we don't yet have any official info on the status of the
64bit dvd's in the retail editions. Ed Bott's blog on the 64bit dvd's being
on-demand indicating that you buy the retail box with the x86 dvd and then
send in something to get the x64 dvd for free is the only one I have seen.
But Ed Bott is knowledgeable.

Upgrade (meaning "upgrade-in-place" if you like) is turned OFF even in the
full editions of 64bit Vista when Setup is run from an XP Pro x64 desktop.
You can only do a Custom install. Upgrade is turned ON, however, if you are
running Setup from a Vista x64 RC desktop.

One question is how the Advanced Options are available so that you can
format the target drive before doing the Custom install should you prefer a
classic Clean install scenario. Just doing a Custom install is not a
classic Clean install. Custom install is a clean install of the OS but
without formatting the rest of the drive. I have to assume that validation
of the legacy OS takes place right after you enter the UE PK, so it should
all work out even though you are formatting the partition for the very OS
from which you are running Setup. Since the installation runs in WinPE it
should just work.

Since x64 Setup will not run from any x86 legacy desktop, the buyer needs to
be careful not to buy a Vista Upgrade Edition as a way of moving up from XP
SP2 or Win2K to 64bit Windows. Since cross-platform upgrades are not
possible, upgrading XP to Vista x86 while waiting for an x64 UE dvd in the
hopes of simply upgrading to x64 when the disc arrives just won't work
(64bit Setup.exe will not run on his desktop). I hope the sales staff at
Best Buy and CompUSA, etc. get trained on these points so they don't
misadvise buyers. Anyone stepping up from x86 to x64 is going to have to
buy a retail full edition.

I would be very surprised if an Upgrade Edition PK let you install Vista
onto any other partition than that of the legacy OS from which you launched
Setup. That would permit a licensing violation (dual boot). Darrell Gorter
indicated that we would be able to format partitions other than the legacy
system partition with a UE dvd, but we should not take that to mean that we
can choose one of those other partitions as the Vista target in a UE Setup
scenario.

The contact person my MVP lead wants to reach with my questions about all of
this should return from vacation Monday so I am hoping to get a better
handle on it.

 

[Chad Harris]

Thanks very much for the very well written post. I haven't tried to do an
all out search, but I would also hope MSFT will make this clear very soon.
Maybe because their official date for public release (although licenses for
some Vista Business and Office 2007 editions are available in US Comp USA
stores) is still January 30, 2007 they are still shaping up this and some
other scenarios although OEM pc makers, etc. continue to put info out.

CH

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

All I have been able to find on microsoft.com when I search on Vista Upgrade
Editions is stuff about Anytime Upgrade. MS just hasn't put anything up
about retail Upgrade Editions that I have been able to find, except the
promo we discussed here yesterday.

The OEM's are no help because they don't ever get into Upgrade Editions,
which are retail stock only.

Do you know if all the Vista Business sku's at CompUSA are full editions?
Do they have Upgrade Editions yet? What does it say on the UE boxes that
might help us out?

 

[Chad Harris]

Apparently MSFT is offering volume license sales now from this site:
http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusin...tage/security-microsoft-software-upgrade.mspx

https://microsoft.order-5.com/upgradedesktop/addrform.asp?skipto=4


Microsoft Teams Up With CompUSA to Deliver Windows Vista Business and
Microsoft Office Small Business 2007 Early to Small Businesses Purchasing
Five or More Licenses
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/nov06/11-13CompUSAVLPR.mspx

"Customers will initially receive a Microsoft Small Business Value Program
Kit and a proof of purchase. A CompUSA sales associate will then work with
the customer to explain how the software can be downloaded with activation
of the license."


This is how they say it is setup until they get the regular complement of
actual packages in the store which will probably be around January 30, 2007.

Right now what you walk out of the store with is a registration number for a
license which you then take to a MSFT web site to download the appropriate
iso that allows you to exercise what you have purchased in that license, and
receive the benefits of some training and the Software Assurance guarantees.

"Part of the Small Business Value Program, Open Business and Open Value are
simple and flexible software license offerings designed to save money for
small businesses that can be easily managed online and require as few as
five licenses. Open Value, the most comprehensive, cost-effective way for
small businesses to purchase Microsoft software by spreading payments
annually, comes with the added benefits of Microsoft Software Assurance,
which includes technical and end-user training along with new version
upgrades. Open Business licensing enables small organizations to gain
significant savings from the estimated retail prices of full packaged
Microsoft products, with the option of adding Software Assurance."


Offer for tech assessment and information kit which includes:

A free tech assessment and opportunity to purchase Windows Vista and
Microsoft Office Small Business 2007 from a Microsoft small business
specialist partner
A free business kit which includes demos, tips & tricks, and other useful
information on Windows Vista and Microsoft Office Small Business 2007



These will help you see the Vista Editions and the Office Editions:

Vista Editions
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/editions/default.mspx

Office Editions:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/suites/default.aspx

*VISTA*

All Vista licenses are upgrade licenses and they are for Vista Business.
Vista Business does not have the MCE interface and functionality. It does
not have Bit Locker Encryption.


All of these licenses are sold via two plans and you can mix editions and
pay accordingly in the five licenses requirement of the plans.

I Open Business License Plan requires a purchase of a minimum of five
licenses and you pay up front. You can mix any of the Vista or Office
licenses with at least five or more to make up the five.

II Open Value License Plan allows you to pay over time after registering
with MSFT. You pay Comp USA either plastic or cash and can make 3 annual
payments. If the payments failed, the software would be killed, including
any attempts to use an image made or to activate one.

I'm not clear on MSFT's plans to make people activate Office or Vista every
so often, and if anyone knows firmly how this is planned, I'd be interested.

They said there would be X64 availalbilty based on what CPU the person had
with no cost difference. I would refer to the ability to upgrade as to X64
as Colin recently posted in this thread, and of course Colin's caveats would
apply. My understanding from them though was that if you had the
appropriate hardware i.e. CPU and software that 64 bit upgrade would be
accomodated with these licenses.

*OFFICE*

Office Editions Available via Comp USA License Plans.

There are seven Office editions. Four of them may be purchased now via Comp
USA licenses. Basic is available only through OEMs according to the MSFT
Office site.

Office 2007 Overview:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/suites/HA101757031033.aspx

Office 2007 How to Buy
http://office.microsoft.com/search/...id=CL101732621033&CTT=3&Origin=HA101757031033

Pricing is as follows:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/suites/FX101754511033.aspx

Office Suites Comparison Table is here:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/suites/FX101635841033.aspx

Paul Thurott's Office 2007 FAQ
http://www.winsupersite.com/faq/office2007.asp

Microsoft's Office 2007 FAQ
http://office.microsoft.com/search/...id=CL101732621033&CTT=3&Origin=HA101757031033

They said that these Office editions are available as full editions,
although there will be upgrade editions per the Office site
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/suites/FX101754511033.aspx

Office Stand
Office Small Business
Office Pro
Office Enterprise
_______________

CH

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Multiple Activation Key is a system that uses Microsoft's activation
servers. Key Management Service is hosted locally and is for larger
organizations. See:
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/resources/vol/default.mspx

Thanks for the exhaustive rundown on just what is on sale at CompUSA. I
didn't realize that these were not boxed retail editions. Clearly we won't
see a retail boxed Upgrade Edition before January 30. I should have
realized that. You sure dug deeply on this one.

Apparently MSFT is offering volume license sales now from this site:
http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusin...tage/security-microsoft-software-upgrade.mspx

I'm not clear on MSFT's plans to make people activate Office or Vista every
so often, and if anyone knows firmly how this is planned, I'd be interested.

 

[Chad Harris]

I just called them and got a well informed person at CompUSA and then hit a
few links to make sure. One thing I am still a bit uncertain about is that
they no doubt have upgrade path for Office, but he had told me they were
selling "full editions" of Office. Since the MSFT Office site lists upgrade
editions and prices, I need to clarify that. I didn't receive the email
from him yet, so I'll try to clarify that today with him. I didn't realize
that MSFT also is selling from their site, but I wasn't able to find out
from their site either. They do have a phone number for this on the MSFT
site, but it's M-F so maybe the phone numbers can clean this up.

They held a training course for CompUSA on the licenses, and the selling and
he had gone.

Need help with pre-purchase, licensing, and product or promotional
information?
Call 1-800-MICROSOFT
M-F 6 a.m. — 5:30 p.m. PT

http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusin...age/security-microsoft-software-upgrade.mspx#

CH