I'm having difficulty in parsing this quote from Microsoft's own website regarding 64-bit alternate editions-- "The 64-bit editions of Windows Vista—available for all editions of Windows Vista except Starter"--http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/64bit.mspx
If I'm reading this right, I don't need to buy an upgrade or full install disk of the 64-bit Ultimate Edition, if I only want the 64-bit version of my licensed 32-bit copy of Vista. As Microsoft implies, one can get an alternate 64-bit edition from them if one already owns the Retail purchase of the 32-bit edition, as outlined here:
Windows Vista Alternate Media
But I'm confused as to whether this offer is extended to those with the pre-installed and
product activated variety. No Vista CD or DVD came with my new PC, since it was pre-installed on a partition by the PC's manufacturer out the door. I already spoke to Gupta (or was it Sanjay?) at HP about getting my 64-bit alternate edition, but they directed me to Microsoft. Hmmm.
And so I made a recovery disk in the event I need to restore my original OS if nothing else. But before I part with any coin, is there anyone like me who had only a pre-installed Vista 32-bit OS on a partition been able to install it's 64-bit alternate that they ordered from Microsoft?