Vista - Licensing 32bit and 64bit?

Howdy all - hope this isn't too newb of a question for this forum - just joined in the fun!

I recently just purchased a new Dell XPS M1730 laptop - it should be delivered in the next week or so... Apparently dell doesn't sell 64bit Windows - so I'm getting 32bit Ultimate from them...

I have a 64bit ultimate DVD that I've used on my current desktop system - but was wondering if the key from the 32bit install is 64bit compliant? Or if I just got charged from Dell the extra cash for an OS I will never use if I buy my own 64bit vista OS?

Anyone know if the 32bit CALs from Dell are 64bit compliant? I'd like to order whatever I need to have it in time for the laptops arrival.

Thanks in advance - hope for good things out of this great forum!

If you already have a x64 DVD of vista you can(would have to anyway) install it on your laptop with the product key given to you with your laptop. It will be on a green sticker located on the bottom of your laptop. You will probably be required to activate over the phone as OEM Vista installs are given only one automated activation. All subsequent activations must be done by phone.

THe short answer is yes, your 32bit product key will work with your x64 disk.

Hi Gleep52,

Welcome to the forum.

As Joel said, your 32 bit Vista product key will work with your 64 bit Vista DVD.

All OEM, Express, and Retail Vista 32 bit and 64 bit installation DVD's can be used to install Vista with any 32 bit product key number.

You, of course, can only use the product key number for one Vista installation at one time. Not on multiple computers, or on both the 32 and 64 bit at the same time.

Shawn

Perfect! That's what I needed to know (and wanted to hear!)... I have no plans on running dual vista modes - it eats up too much HD space for a single install alone

I just wanted to know if I should order a 64bit OEM DVD of Ultimate with the extra memory I will order for my new laptop - or if the stock product key (OEM Flavor) would work. Someone on the Dell forums stated that the OEM stickers keys' would not work for a 64bit install... I feel that's in error on their part, as I'm guessing it will - but wanted some feedback.

Microsoft's site even states you can order the media from them for a small charge if you did not purchase a retail version (retail versions have 32bit and 64bit in the same package)... so my guess is - it should work.

Thanks again for the responses!

Hi Gleep. Recently the recovery partition of my HP laptop went south and I had to install 32bit Vista from an upgrade disc of Vista Home Premium. Not only did the 64bit OEM key work on the 32bit version of the disc, it installed the full version of Vista (not upgrade) and it installed the correct version of Vista (Ultimate). So basically, I used a 32 bit version of the Home Premium upgrade disk to install a full version of Vista Ultimate. I did have to do a phone activation though. Microsoft didn't give me a hard time or anything. Pretty cool eh?

I have a question just to be sure i understand everything correctly. I bought a HP a6152n that came with Vista Home Premium 32bit with OEM license and I want to upgrade(replace the current version no dual boot) to the 64bit version of Vista Home Premium do I need to get another License.

From what i understand from brinks post the answer is i don't need another license but i want to make sure.

Thanks

Hi Magesturm,

You do not need another license (Product Key Number). The 64 bit and 32 bit uses the same product key number. You will just need to contact your OEM to order the 64 bit Vista installation DVD. They should only charge you a small S&H fee.

Shawn