Vista - Migrate from 32-bit Vista Ultimate to 64-bit

Greetings All,

I am not a regular here. My name is Tom and I have what I hope is an easy
question for some of the regulars. Please know that I have searched the
web, Microsoft, and several other newsgroups before posting here.

I would like to do a clean install of Vista Ultimate 64-bit without having
to purchase another upgrade and learn how I can do this. I am currently
running Vista Ultimate 32-bit. Getting the proper drivers, software,
reinstalls, and updates is something I am comfortable working through. What
has been the problem with installing Vista and registering it has been
having to install it in MANY incremental upgrades when the keys are tied to
incremental upgrades.What I have in-hand or in the bitlocker follows:

-Win XP Pro 32-bit - OEM
-Vista Business Upgrade
-Anytime Upgrade from Vista Business -----> Ultimate (bit-locker)

Currently, to do a clean install I have to install Vista business twice
(even though Ultimate is on the DVD) and register Vista Business. Then I
have to do an upgrade to Vista Ultimate 32-bit using the bitlocker. I know,
doesn't sound too clean to me either, but the way the Software Keys are tied
to the different versions, I couldn't find a straigh-forward way to install
the OS.

Now I would like to install Vista Ultimate 64-bit on this computer for
additional RAM. Can I do a straight-away clean install with what I have and
end-up with a registered copy of Vista Ultimate 64-bit w/o purchasing
anymore media/licensing and if so, how would you recommend? If not, what
would you recommend as the least expensive alternative?


TIA,


Tom

I have the same problem.
It's not a great solution, but the best I've come up with is once you get
through the four installations to your final product, but before you install
any other software, make a full backup and store it separately from anything
else you do. If you ever need to reinstall again, you will have a final
clean copy of Vista that is already activated and only takes 20 minutes to
load.

My path:
XP Pro Upgrade
(I don't bother with this one anymore since VHP can do a clean
install from the upgrade disk.)
Vista HP x86 Upgrade
(Clean install, no PID)
Vista HP x64 Upgrade - bought from MS for $7 (Now it's $10)
(WAU cannot perform the x64 conversion but the single license will
work for either bitness, so go from x86 to x64 using your original x86 PID
and activate)
Vista U x64 AU
(Anytime Upgrade requires prior version to already be activated)
Install all MS updates
Optional: Install all hardware updates (you may change hardware down the
road)
Optional: Install software you are sure you will always want (Office,
Printer, AV, etc.)
Clean up directories and defrag.
Make a full backup.
(It's a full day event. And, if I had known from the start two years ago,
I'd have taken Mick's advice.)

Next time:
Restore backup


"Cox" <littlenutREMOVETHIS@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ROKJk.4826$Tu6.1463@xxxxxxWhattoknow,tiedinstalland

Thanks for the input, guys. I will end up going the way Mick
suggests, but I will wait until my indignation goes away at having to
pay 180 USD to be able to reasonably install Vista Ultimate on my
computer when MS has sold me the right to use Vista Ultimate on my
computer already.


Tom

Tom,
I only have your post that follows and do not understand what happened..
Are you saying that you bought a OEM 32 bit version of Vista Ultimate which
is not upgradable or transferable instead of a retail version for a few $
more which is both upgradable and transferable and now you are upset that
you need to buy another OEM version to upgrade?
"Tom" <littlenutREMOVETHIS@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:d3qKk.1533$Zd.276@xxxxxx

Hi Curious,

No, that is not it at all. I wish I had a single copy of Vista
Ultimate in hand. I pasted the original immediately following this,
but simply, I paid for Vista Ultimate, but the simplest install I can
do is to install/activate a different operating system 3 times to end
up w/ Vista Ultimate. Not too clean an install IMVHO.

TBH, your response appears to be provocative, when I was just asking a
question/opinion on the easiest/cheapest way to get from Vista
Ultimate 32 bit to 64 bit in my case. If I misread your response, pls
excuse me.


Tom


----------------------------------------------
Greetings All,

I am not a regular here. My name is Tom and I have what I hope is an
easy
question for some of the regulars. Please know that I have searched
the
web, Microsoft, and several other newsgroups before posting here.

I would like to do a clean install of Vista Ultimate 64-bit without
having
to purchase another upgrade and learn how I can do this. I am
currently
running Vista Ultimate 32-bit. Getting the proper drivers, software,
reinstalls, and updates is something I am comfortable working through.
What
has been the problem with installing Vista and registering it has been
having to install it in MANY incremental upgrades when the keys are
tied to
incremental upgrades.What I have in-hand or in the bitlocker follows:

-Win XP Pro 32-bit - OEM
-Vista Business Upgrade
-Anytime Upgrade from Vista Business -----> Ultimate (bit-locker)

Currently, to do a clean install I have to install Vista business
twice
(even though Ultimate is on the DVD) and register Vista Business.
Then I
have to do an upgrade to Vista Ultimate 32-bit using the bitlocker. I
know,
doesn't sound too clean to me either, but the way the Software Keys
are tied
to the different versions, I couldn't find a straigh-forward way to
install
the OS.

Now I would like to install Vista Ultimate 64-bit on this computer for
additional RAM. Can I do a straight-away clean install with what I
have and
end-up with a registered copy of Vista Ultimate 64-bit w/o purchasing
anymore media/licensing and if so, how would you recommend? If not,
what
would you recommend as the least expensive alternative?


TIA,


Tom






----------------------------------------------



"Curious" <mailmenot@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:unlt8QVMJHA.728@xxxxxx

Hi Tom,

You would certainly need a 64bit Vista install dvd. There have been posts to this site from people saying their OEM product keys work with either 32 or 64 bit media ( the purchased oem dvd's , not the preinstalled manufacturer type ).

You could try to do the 3 installs you have been doing , using a 64bit dvd - assuming you could borrow one. Don't know if it would work, or what effect that "bitlocker " upgrade would have. It may say the key is not valid, then you're back where you started.

SIW2

There are 4 versions of Vista Ultimate that can be purchased. The standard
full retail version which comes with the both the 32 bit and the 64 bit
DVDs., the standard upgrade version which also comes with both DVDs and a
OEM version which is purchased with either a 32 bit full version or a 64bit
version.,
After reading your original post I do not know if you have a 32bit or a 64
bit DVD image from the anytime upgrade. If you have the 64 bit DVD image
you should be able to do a clean install on top of your 32 bit business and
then remove the Windows.old folder after removing any data files from that
you want.
"Tom" <littlenutREMOVETHIS@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:nhHLk.2545$I8.1322@xxxxxx