I want to re-install Vista x64 Home Premium but I can't find a code at home for installing, I'm not sure if I even had a code as the 64bit upgrade DVD looks to be a special offer (friends complain I got it very cheap, quick off the mark I tell them)

I purchased 32bit Vista early after its release and then sent off to Ireland for the Vista x64 DVD, cost around £10, I saw the offer in the 32bit box

I'm having some problems so wanting to reinstall 64bit Vista but for the life of me I can't remember whether I need a code to re-install Vista x64 from just the 64bit DVD, or whether I need to install the 32bit version first and then the 64bit upgrade goes in without needing another install code

I've got the envelope for the Vista x64 DVD marked-

WINDOWS VISTA HOME PREM
64-BITENGLISH SUP DIRECT DVD (sic)
FULFILLMENT

66I-00565 03.02.2007
ORIGIN: IRELAND SE903580

Thanks for any help

Peter

i may have had too much coffee, but i think you can just install from the upgrade cd, and when it asks for a qualifying product, you just insert the cd for the full version. if that doesnt work, then you have to install the full version first.

That's very kind of you thanks kword88, this explains why I can't find a code for the x64 DVD then. Phew

I hope that I can remove my dual-boot to XP too while I'm at it. I've been too nervous to mess with boot managers all this time

Peter

Yep kw, Microsoft support indeed confirmed that my x86 key works also for the x64 upgrade thanks. A fresh install of Vista x64 is now working fine but- not to spam threads-

After the x64 re-install I want to finally delete the XP (was dual-boot) partition and add that disk space to my Vista install

I've searched and found lots of reference how-to's for deleting the (in my case) D:\ volume but that volume/partition has the Active label (shot below) and Disk Management won't allow me to delete an active/primary partition. The D:\ partition there is the XP partition. I just want to get rid of the partition (that I used to install dual-boot Vista/XP) and have just a C:\ drive with Vista x64 installed

If I can delete that volume/partition after taking advice, how would I expand Vista's beachhead to include the whole drive on just one partition please?

I used EasyBCD 1.7.2 to skip the boot options XP/Vista

Tools I have: Partition Magic but it doesn't work on my install, small price to pay for XP-to-Vista; I have Acronis 10 and a Universal Boot CD

Being cautious and asking for help before getting in too deep on going commando

Any advice on how to do this would be very welcome please, FAQs aren't helping

Peter

Ahah (I've got the non-functional-under-x64 PM version 8)

Paragon Partition Manager – resize partitions, partitioning software

"Updated! Improved Windows Vista support, including 64-bit editions"