Vista - Buying Vista 64

That is intersting indeed!

Thanks Brink

Amplid

Your welcome Amplid.

I spoke with my relative and he has a higher version of Vista 64 I think he said? Ultimate like the previous poster said?

If I bought Vista Home Premium 32bit, I use his more-featured Vista 64 to install Home Premium 64 from that same DVD and it will just downgrade me to the proper one I bought? It's just a universal upgrade? Or there does it only allow you to install from the same "lineage" that you currently have from a certain disk type? HomeP 32 -> HomeP64 DVD, Ultimate32 -> Ultimate64 DVD?
(specific 64 disks for each type?)

Duxwig, I don't think you'll be able to make that with your relative. The registration might be just with the product key, but for different versions, I am pretty sure it won't work. But I can be wrong off course...
Brink?

Amplid

I knew you could change 32 bit to 64 on your own product key but not on all os. Cheers Brink.
Saying that an OEM version is alot cheaper than retail.

You would have to install the same 64 bit Vista edition that your 32 bit Vista product key is for. In this case, Vista Home Premium. You cannot install a different edition if you want it activated.

People remember this, when purchasing an OEM version you have to specify at the time of purchase whether or not you want 32bit or 64bit Vista. For example if you buy 32bit OEM Vista, and then decide later on you want to go to OEM 64bit Vista, you have to buy a whole new OEM copy of Vista.

The OEM copy of Vista whether or not it is 32bit or 64bit is then tied to the hardware in your particular machine, and then you can change the hardware 10 times, before you have to call Microsoft to reactivate.

When I bought my OEM copy of Vista, I specified 64bit Vista right away, and don't regret getting 64bit Vista.

To answer roy69's question, yes OEM Vista is cheaper, but it is tied to the hardware in your machine. If you should have to put a new motherboard in, you will have to call Microsoft to reactivate Vista, whether or not you reinstall Vista, after putting in the new motherboard.

I had to call Microsoft to reactivate, as I recall after I put my 975XBX2 in my machine back in March.

Just a little info for those going to 64 from 32. You will need to get 64 bit drivers for most of your hardware. Go to manufactors site and check to see if 64 bit drivers are available for video, sound, printer, ect.

In addition,

You can also check here to see if your hardware and software is compatible with the 64 bit Vista. After you make your selection, click on 64 bit under System Type in the left pane.

Windows Vista Compatibility Center