Vista - Disappointment with Vista alternative media program?

Hi,

I'm posting this question to relevant newsgroups, I hope you don't mind.

I subscribed to the alternative media program and I do not yet what to make
of the six DVD set that I received from Microsoft. I had hoped to order the
64-bit media but something got screwed up and they sent me 32-bit media and
the DVDs were dated 2007. Was this a clearance sale? SP1 was on a separate
DVD. A more useful product would have SP1 incorporated into the install DVD.
When I tried to run the install DVD from Vista, it told me that I could not
do an upgrade because the version of Vista that I was running was more
recent that the version on the DVD. I subscribe to Vista update loyally. I
did not want to do a clean install and screw up months of work, especially
when I really wanted 64-bit media. I had a look at the other four DVDs. They
all contain folders labeled 'Sources' and one humungous SWM install file. My
copy of Vista does not know what to do with these compressed SWM files and I
cannot Google anything.

Can someone please resolve my puzzlement? Did I receive anything of value
from Microsoft? Do I have any entitlement to 64-bit media?

Thanks.

How and when to contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/295539


"Dan (the newbie)" <ravocin@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:upZe1ThjJHA.2460@xxxxxx
Hi,

I'm posting this question to relevant newsgroups, I hope you don't mind.

I subscribed to the alternative media program and I do not yet what to make
of the six DVD set that I received from Microsoft. I had hoped to order the
64-bit media but something got screwed up and they sent me 32-bit media and
the DVDs were dated 2007. Was this a clearance sale? SP1 was on a separate
DVD. A more useful product would have SP1 incorporated into the install DVD.
When I tried to run the install DVD from Vista, it told me that I could not
do an upgrade because the version of Vista that I was running was more
recent that the version on the DVD. I subscribe to Vista update loyally. I
did not want to do a clean install and screw up months of work, especially
when I really wanted 64-bit media. I had a look at the other four DVDs. They
all contain folders labeled 'Sources' and one humungous SWM install file. My
copy of Vista does not know what to do with these compressed SWM files and I
cannot Google anything.

Can someone please resolve my puzzlement? Did I receive anything of value
from Microsoft? Do I have any entitlement to 64-bit media?

Thanks.

Sounds like you already have 32 bit Vista installed and it already has SP1.
If you want to install 64 bit Vista, you will have to do a clean install.
You can backup all of your data on another drive, then install 64 bit Vista
and restore your data.

Tyro

"Dan (the newbie)" <ravocin@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:upZe1ThjJHA.2460@xxxxxx

Hi,

I'm posting this question to relevant newsgroups, I hope you don't mind.

I subscribed to the alternative media program and I do not yet what to make
of the six DVD set that I received from Microsoft. I had hoped to order the
64-bit media but something got screwed up and they sent me 32-bit media and
the DVDs were dated 2007. Was this a clearance sale? SP1 was on a separate
DVD. A more useful product would have SP1 incorporated into the install DVD.
When I tried to run the install DVD from Vista, it told me that I could not
do an upgrade because the version of Vista that I was running was more
recent that the version on the DVD. I subscribe to Vista update loyally. I
did not want to do a clean install and screw up months of work, especially
when I really wanted 64-bit media. I had a look at the other four DVDs. They
all contain folders labeled 'Sources' and one humungous SWM install file. My
copy of Vista does not know what to do with these compressed SWM files and I
cannot Google anything.

Can someone please resolve my puzzlement? Did I receive anything of value
from Microsoft? Do I have any entitlement to 64-bit media?

Thanks.

Why are you reposting? You've already received answers.

Tyro

"Dan (the newbie)" <ravocin@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:OQfaG8hjJHA.500@xxxxxx

The answer is very, very simple. Just call Microsoft on their 800 number,
speak with customer service or the ordering department, tell them you wanted
64 bit Vista and that they sent you 32 bit Vista and make an arrangement
with them for you to get the 64 bit software.

Tyro


"Dan (the newbie)" <ravocin@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:OQfaG8hjJHA.500@xxxxxx

The other question I have is you say you received 6 DVDs. With what software
on them? Both 64 bit and 32 bit Vista come on 1 DVD each.

Tyro

"Dan (the newbie)" <ravocin@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:OQfaG8hjJHA.500@xxxxxx

DVD1 is 2007, Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit software only. It is Gold with
a hologram

There is a Green DVD: Service Pack 1.

DVDs 2-5 each contains a folders with single large compressed SWM install
files, that are unknown to my Vista or to Google.

This does not look like a recent software release. is it a clearance sale of
old product?

Where can I get information about the SWM files? Do they have any value for
installation, maintenance, repair or options for Vista?

Should I save these DVDs or should I chuck them in the garbage? If I chuck
them in the garbage will I be sorry I did so at a later time?

Is there any online documentation regarding the product I received? If this
is clearance of old product, is there any information about the old product?

The part numbers are

X12-25533-02
X12-25534-02
X12-25535-02
X12-25536-02

X12-25521-01
X14-29202-01

Will I have an equal amount of grief if I order 64-bit media?

Thanks for your help.



"Tyro" <Tyro@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:IRlll.16200$YU2.7781@xxxxxx

If you requested 64 bit Vista from Microsoft you should have received either
(most likely) 1 DVD with Vista with SP1 already applied or 2 DVDs, one with
Vista and one with SP1. You would simply put the DVD in your drive and the
installation package would start automatically. You should call Microsoft on
their 800 number and ask them as I mentioned in my earlier post. BTW, people
do not like double posting.

Tyro


"Dan (the newbie)" <ravocin@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:#Ayn$1ijJHA.5724@xxxxxx

1 second and the following showed up

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...12&q=SWM+Files

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"Dan (the newbie)" <ravocin@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%23Ayn$1ijJHA.5724@xxxxxx