upgrade hp32 to ultimate64

[dave]

I just purchased a new system that has Vista Home Premium (OEM) 32-bit
installed.

I want to upgrade to Vista Ultimate 64-bit. I'm a techie and realize that
this requires a complete re-install (which I'm quite comfortable doing).

The manufacturer (gateway) did not provide the anytime upgrade CD. Gateway
will not provide 64-bit media.

The technical (re-install) part of this task easy. The challenge is
figuring out what to buy, how to buy it, and where to buy it from (without
paying an arm and a leg for the full retail version).

My god Microsoft, can you make this upgrade any more obtuse and confusing???

There appears to be a $159 upgrade available from Home Premium to Ultimate,
but I cannot find concise information about how to buy it and whether this
upgrade applies to a 32-bit OEM installation. Some sites suggest that this
upgrade only applies to the the Retail version, not the OEM version, but it's
not clear. [Unfortunately, now I can't find the link to the $159 upgrade
offer, but it's somewhere on Microsoft's site. ]

Do I need both the Anytime Upgrade disk and 64-bit media?

Can somebody provide a concise answer whether this $159 upgrade applies to
the OEM version and exactly how/where I can order these disk(s).

Thanks!

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Your first problem is that there is no upgrade path from any 32-bit version
of Windows to any 64-bit version of Windows. So no upgrade of any type will
help you, you will need to do a clean install.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
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[John Barnes]

You will need to buy the standard upgrade version. Then you will do a
custom install from the DVD. You can use an upgrade version using an OEM
for the qualifying system.

 

[John Barnes]

Forgot to warn you that if Gateway will not supply a 64-bit version, it is
very possible that there are NO drivers for the hardware in your computer.
MAKE SURE FIRST.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I just purchased a new system that has Vista Home Premium (OEM) 32-bit
installed.

I want to upgrade to Vista Ultimate 64-bit. I'm a techie and realize that
this requires a complete re-install (which I'm quite comfortable doing).

The manufacturer (gateway) did not provide the anytime upgrade CD. Gateway
will not provide 64-bit media.

The technical (re-install) part of this task easy. The challenge is
figuring out what to buy, how to buy it, and where to buy it from (without
paying an arm and a leg for the full retail version).

My god Microsoft, can you make this upgrade any more obtuse and confusing???

There appears to be a $159 upgrade available from Home Premium to Ultimate,
but I cannot find concise information about how to buy it and whether this
upgrade applies to a 32-bit OEM installation. Some sites suggest that this
upgrade only applies to the the Retail version, not the OEM version, but it's
not clear. [Unfortunately, now I can't find the link to the $159 upgrade
offer, but it's somewhere on Microsoft's site. ]

Do I need both the Anytime Upgrade disk and 64-bit media?

Can somebody provide a concise answer whether this $159 upgrade applies to
the OEM version and exactly how/where I can order these disk(s).

Thanks!

As a "techie," you'd know that there is no upgrade path from a 32-bit
OS to a 64-bit OS, so your purchasing decision is quite
straight-forward. You'll need a full version of the 64-bit Windows
Vista Ultimate. Whether you go OEM or retail depends upon whether or
not you ever expect to transfer the license to another computer.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


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safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Mick Murphy]

Even in Australia you can pick up an OEM 64bit ultimate DVD for under A$300.

And you should know, 32bit to 64bit, or 64bit to 32bit, complete reinstall,
lol.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi Dave,

You need to locate a 64-bit OEM disk and obtain a copy. No need to purchase
anything, just get a copy of the OEM disk. A retail 64-bit disk will not do,
it has to be OEM. Install using your OEM key provided by Gateway. I would
strongly suggest you make sure Gateway has 64-bit drivers available for
download for their proprietary hardware, otherwise you will be experiencing
an exercise in futility.

Microsoft didn't make this difficult for you, Gateway did by not offering a
64-bit disk upon request. Microsoft offers a simple exchange for retail
boxed versions. I'd call Gateway support back and make a stink about it. OEM
manufacturers are solely responsible for support, Microsoft only supports
retail packaged products.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[dave]

Thanks for all your responses.

After going back and forth numerous times with Gateway support trying to get
the 64-bit OEM disk and a commitment to support it, I gave up. The only
consistent response from them was that they would not provide the 64-bit OEM
Vista disk.

Various other responses from their support included:
- "the 64-bit retail version of Vista will work fine and is supported... all
drivers are on the retail disk and/or you can download them from Microsoft"
- "the 64-bit OS is not supported"
- "you will void the warranty if you reinstall the OS [and/or install a
64-bit OS]"
- "8GB of memory will work fine with a 32-bit OS"

That last response was the last straw. Don't even try to explain that
2^^32=4GB.

Years ago, I was a big fan of Gateway, but not any more. Gateway support is
offshore & clueless.

My bad for assuming that 64-bit hardware that "supports 8GB of memory" would
have 64-bit software support.

dave