Vista Upgrade Q's

[Simon Dean]

Hi All,

Just to verify. I recently bought a copy of WinXP Pro 32 bit... Though
Im running a 64 bit processor (AMD Athlon 64 3500)... I didn't want to
go 64 bit OS just yet, but I have heard how much faster the OS is at
booting etc...

Anyhow, I have a redemption form for Vista, the internet site for the
upgrade gives me a choice of 64 bit or 32 bit Vista.

If I get the 64 bit Vista, will it be a lemon? I've heard that you can't
use this redemption form to upgrade XP 32 -> Vista 64... So I presume
I'll have to stick with Vista 32 and then get an OEM copy of Vista 64 or
something?

Will there be any upgrade paths between 32bit Vista and 64 bit Vista?

Im also confused over the state of DRM in Vista. I've heard bad things
about it, but some say it's just a switch? Whatever it is, I don't want
to be denied the opportunity for legitimately shoving a CD or DVD into
my computer and making personal backups...

Ta
Simon

 

[Jim]

Will there be any upgrade paths between 32bit Vista and 64 bit Vista?

There are no upgrade paths from any 32-bit Windows to any 64-bit
Windows. You have to do a clean install (which is the best option
anyway).


Jim

 

[Brian W]

But note that if you get an Upgrade Edition DVD for Vista 64, you won't be
able to install it as it can't run from 32-bit Windows. You'd need a full
version (or a 64-bit XP installation!) Upgrade DVDs cannot clean install
from boot, they can only be used with an activated XP.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi Simon,

You should get the 32-bit upgrade, as that is what you currently are
running. The 64-bit upgrade would only be able to upgrade an existing x64
installation (which would require your procuring a full version of XP Pro
x64 and installing it prior to doing the upgrade). There are no, nor will
there be any, upgrade paths from 32 to 64 bit.

Is 64-bit a lemon? I don't think so, the hardware architecture is migrating
in that direction, albeit slowly, but it will eventually get there. The
problem right now is that hardware manufacturers are slow to break away from
the highly profitable 32-bit platform. Eventually though, it will shift
(just like it did from 16-bit to 32 back with Win95).

DRM is another subject, one that I am loathe to get into as there is quite a
bit of opinion and misinformation on this. Suffice it to say that it is
fully implemented in Vista.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Simon Dean]

I just mean that getting 64 bit Vista would be a lemon, since I wouldn't
be able to use it to upgrade.

Thanks for the thoughts though, I'll get my free vista. Im not one to
look a gift horse in the mouth

Cheers
Simon

 

[Michael D]

The fact that the upgrade site allows you to select a 64-bit upgrade DVD
directly implies that you will somehow be able to do a clean install. I just
checked at upgradeweb.moduslink.com and you can even get a 64-bit upgrade
DVD with XP Home, of course the site could be wrong but they work for MS.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I sure hope all of this gets clarified PDQ. I fear that there is some
confusion on the Get Ready site. The ideal would be if it were possible to
use an upgrade edition without having to go to the legacy desktop so that a
custom installation of x64 could be done when the base system is x86. That
is what does not appear to be possible. We'll know in a few weeks, of
course, but it is hard for folks to plan and budget a migration from x86 to
x64 if they don't know if a full edition will be the only way.

 

[Dennis Pack]

Colin:
I have a Vista Business x64 upgrade disk ordered. By the time it
arrives my Diskeeper test tower should be free for testing installation
possibilities.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

If I had a product key I would simply do it in VPC with both single and dual
vhd setups. I have been testing the upgrade functionality of full editions
that way for a while but not have an upgrade edition pk is the blocker.

Did you participate in the DK field test too?

 

[Dennis Pack]

Colin:
Yes, but with my luck it was released while I was on vacation with
only my Vista Enterprise x86 laptop available. It's installed and running
flawlessly on this computer with Enterprise x64 and it's running flawlessly
on my laptop also.