Upgrade from Vista Ultimate (32 bit version) to 64 bit version?

I recently bought a new computer pre-installed with Vista Ultimate.
However, the version installed on the computer is the 32 bit version,
not the 64 bit version. Does anyone know if there is there a way to
change it to the 64 bit version?

As I understand Vista Ultimate (32 bit version), I will only be able
to install up to 4 GIGs of RAM even though my motherboard can handle
up to 8 Gigs of RAM and my processor is a 64 bit processor. Is there a
way I can install Vista Ultimate 64 bit version for free, by using the
Vista Ultimate Windows Activation key that came with my new computer?

Any information will help.

thanks!

do you have any software that is 64 bit. if not it is a waste of time
no i haven't bought vista yet stan


Jack wrote:
> I recently bought a new computer pre-installed with Vista Ultimate.
> However, the version installed on the computer is the 32 bit version,
> not the 64 bit version. Does anyone know if there is there a way to
> change it to the 64 bit version?
>
> As I understand Vista Ultimate (32 bit version), I will only be able
> to install up to 4 GIGs of RAM even though my motherboard can handle
> up to 8 Gigs of RAM and my processor is a 64 bit processor. Is there a
> way I can install Vista Ultimate 64 bit version for free, by using the
> Vista Ultimate Windows Activation key that came with my new computer?
>
> Any information will help.
>
> thanks!
>

no I do not have the 64 bit version. the 32 bit version was
preinstalled on my new computer.

I just asked my computer manufacturer about this and they were no
help. According to the following Microsoft site, the 64 bit version
should be available to those with the 32 bit version, but it says
nothing if it should be available to those who bought a new computer
with vista.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...ons/64bit.mspx


Here's another page which says I should be able to upgrade from one
version of vista to another. But again it says nothing about being
able to upgrade from 32 bit version of Vista to the 64 bit version:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro.../overview.mspx



Does anyone else have any insight on the subject?

"Jack" <mr_nice_1973@yahoo.com> wrote

>I recently bought a new computer pre-installed with Vista Ultimate.
> However, the version installed on the computer is the 32 bit version,
> not the 64 bit version. Does anyone know if there is there a way to
> change it to the 64 bit version?
>
> As I understand Vista Ultimate (32 bit version), I will only be able
> to install up to 4 GIGs of RAM even though my motherboard can handle
> up to 8 Gigs of RAM and my processor is a 64 bit processor. Is there a
> way I can install Vista Ultimate 64 bit version for free, by using the
> Vista Ultimate Windows Activation key that came with my new computer?

You have to work with the computer vendor on this. If you bought a retail
version of Vista it would come with both disks (for Ultimate) or with the
info on how to send for the x64 version (all other Visa versions). The same
retail product keys works on both versions. With an OEM it's between you
and them.

You cannot do an in place upgrade from x86 to x64, only a custom install.

--
Rock [MVP - User/Shell]

[Default] On Tue, 6 Feb 2007 20:07:15 -0800, "Rock" <rock@nospam.net>
spake thusly:
>
>You have to work with the computer vendor on this. If you bought a retail
>version of Vista it would come with both disks (for Ultimate) or with the
>info on how to send for the x64 version (all other Visa versions). The same
>retail product keys works on both versions. With an OEM it's between you
>and them.
>
>You cannot do an in place upgrade from x86 to x64, only a custom install.


And when I last checked none of the "majors" (e.g. Dell, HP, Gateway,
Lenovo...) was offering 64-bit Vista as an option (at least in most
cases).

Me thinks it's going to be tough getting a new PC with 64-bit Vista
pre-installed unless one deals with a more specialized vendor.

After all, XP 64-bit has been out for what, a few years now? I've not
seen it as an option anywhere either (however you *can* buy OEM
versions of it on your own).

--
Scott http://angrykeyboarder.com

A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?

I found a SOLUTION for this problem.

A fellow blog poster pointed me to a Microsoft website which details
how someone who has a 32 bit version pre-installed on their computer
can request a 64 bit DVD for a small nominal fee.

So if your new computer CAN handle the 64 bit Operating System, then
this web page is for you...

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvist...a/default.mspx

I spoke too soon. This web page won't help people who bought a
computer with Vista Ultimate. I called the Microsft 800 number found
on a link from that page, and the operator told me that. She also said
that my computer should have came with a CD/DVD with both versions.
I'll have to check this. If this is not the case, then I am afraid
there is no way to upgrade from Ultimate 32 to Ultimate 64.

I bought vista the day it was released. And still had to order the 64 bit
version. you can order the version from microsoft it cost me 13.99 plus
shipping

"Jack" wrote:

> I found a SOLUTION for this problem.
>
> A fellow blog poster pointed me to a Microsoft website which details
> how someone who has a 32 bit version pre-installed on their computer
> can request a 64 bit DVD for a small nominal fee.
>
> So if your new computer CAN handle the 64 bit Operating System, then
> this web page is for you...
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvist...a/default.mspx
>
>

> I bought vista the day it was released. And still had to order the 64 bit
> version. you can order the version from Microsoft it cost me 13.99 plus shipping

I did not buy the stand alone retail version of Vista or have a non-
Ultimate version like it sounds like you may have. I bought a computer
pre-installed with Vista Ultimate 32 bit. The Microsoft representative
I talked to said ordering the 64 bit version of Vista was not
available to me in my particular case. I would have to work with the
computer manufacturer who made the computer.

I took the MS representative's advice and talked to the OEM once again
and finally I was told that if my computer was capable of the 64 bit
OS (which it is), then they would send me the 64 bit DVD. I'll report
back here if they honor their promise and indeed allow me to upgrade
to the 64 bit version.

I hope they do honor it for you, I have a hard time understanding microsoft
some times ( why does it matter) as long as you have their operating system
on your computer. One would think they would of helped you out. I was so
Pissed off when i went to install vista, and could only install the 32 bit (
64 bit is not on the disks ) I even talked to the sales rep, about 64 bit.
and on the label it said 64 bit. now when the disk does get here. i have to
reinstall all over again.

I ordered the disk 9 days ago still not here. I bought some software from EB
games on line 31 hours it was at my door ( could not believe it) little
company went all out. you might have a long wait from your vender to get your
version of vista 64.

"Jack" wrote:

> > I bought vista the day it was released. And still had to order the 64 bit
> > version. you can order the version from Microsoft it cost me 13.99 plus shipping
>
> I did not buy the stand alone retail version of Vista or have a non-
> Ultimate version like it sounds like you may have. I bought a computer
> pre-installed with Vista Ultimate 32 bit. The Microsoft representative
> I talked to said ordering the 64 bit version of Vista was not
> available to me in my particular case. I would have to work with the
> computer manufacturer who made the computer.
>
> I took the MS representative's advice and talked to the OEM once again
> and finally I was told that if my computer was capable of the 64 bit
> OS (which it is), then they would send me the 64 bit DVD. I'll report
> back here if they honor their promise and indeed allow me to upgrade
> to the 64 bit version.
>
>

"loaderopp" <loaderopp@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:76F2517E-0E0D-42CD-83B1-44C2D130ECD3@microsoft.com...
>I hope they do honor it for you, I have a hard time understanding microsoft
> some times ( why does it matter) as long as you have their operating
> system
> on your computer. One would think they would of helped you out. I was so
> Pissed off when i went to install vista, and could only install the 32 bit
> (
> 64 bit is not on the disks ) I even talked to the sales rep, about 64 bit.
> and on the label it said 64 bit. now when the disk does get here. i have
> to
> reinstall all over again.
>
> I ordered the disk 9 days ago still not here. I bought some software from
> EB
> games on line 31 hours it was at my door ( could not believe it) little
> company went all out. you might have a long wait from your vender to get
> your
> version of vista 64.
>
> "Jack" wrote:
>
>> > I bought vista the day it was released. And still had to order the 64
>> > bit
>> > version. you can order the version from Microsoft it cost me 13.99
>> > plus shipping
>>
>> I did not buy the stand alone retail version of Vista or have a non-
>> Ultimate version like it sounds like you may have. I bought a computer
>> pre-installed with Vista Ultimate 32 bit. The Microsoft representative
>> I talked to said ordering the 64 bit version of Vista was not
>> available to me in my particular case. I would have to work with the
>> computer manufacturer who made the computer.
>>
>> I took the MS representative's advice and talked to the OEM once again
>> and finally I was told that if my computer was capable of the 64 bit
>> OS (which it is), then they would send me the 64 bit DVD. I'll report
>> back here if they honor their promise and indeed allow me to upgrade
>> to the 64 bit version.

An OEM version is not handled through MS. OEM is the province of the
computer vendor from which the computer was obtained. You have to deal with
them. If you bought a retail copy that would be different.

--
Rock [MVP - User/Shell]

An update to my situation:

I contacted my OEM (Gateway) and they reneged on their original
promise of providing me the 64 bit version of the OS that is installed
on my computer. It seems like I have 3 options before me:

1) Get the retail version of Vista Ultimate 64 bit version. I don't
really see this as an option as the whole point of getting a computer
preinstalled with Vista Ultimate is to save money on the operating
system.

2) Wait until my OEM (Gateway) starts selling computers preinstalled
with the 64 bit version on their computers, then call them back and
see if they will honor their original promise.

3) Wait for Microsoft to provide an upgrade path to allow me to
upgrade from a 32 bit version OEM OS copy to a 64 bit version OS.
In my opinion, Microsoft really should have thought of providing such
an upgrade path from the start. I think some of Microsoft's user
dissatisfaction stems from their relying too heavily on OEMs. I had
previously had a Windows XP Media Center PC and when they upgraded to
Media Center 2005, the only way to upgrade was to rely/hope that your
OEM provided the upgrade path. Many OEM's took a long time to
reluctantly provide this upgrade. I think Microsoft in that and this
case, should be helping customers more directly.

This is really a problem specific to the OEM, not Microsoft. If your
computer came with Vista x86 and you need the 64-bit media instead, its the
responsibility of the OEM to provide that. It is made clear by Microsoft
that only Vista Ultimate retail package includes both platforms. 32-bit and
64-bit are architectually different which would make it impossible to
upgrade either from the other.

Order Alternate media:

Learn more here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvist...a/default.mspx

Learn more here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvist...s/default.mspx
--
Andre
Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
My Vista Quickstart Guide:
http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...3DB!9709.entry

"Jack" <mr_nice_1973@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1175534129.429749.129800@q75g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> An update to my situation:
>
> I contacted my OEM (Gateway) and they reneged on their original
> promise of providing me the 64 bit version of the OS that is installed
> on my computer. It seems like I have 3 options before me:
>
> 1) Get the retail version of Vista Ultimate 64 bit version. I don't
> really see this as an option as the whole point of getting a computer
> preinstalled with Vista Ultimate is to save money on the operating
> system.
>
> 2) Wait until my OEM (Gateway) starts selling computers preinstalled
> with the 64 bit version on their computers, then call them back and
> see if they will honor their original promise.
>
> 3) Wait for Microsoft to provide an upgrade path to allow me to
> upgrade from a 32 bit version OEM OS copy to a 64 bit version OS.
> In my opinion, Microsoft really should have thought of providing such
> an upgrade path from the start. I think some of Microsoft's user
> dissatisfaction stems from their relying too heavily on OEMs. I had
> previously had a Windows XP Media Center PC and when they upgraded to
> Media Center 2005, the only way to upgrade was to rely/hope that your
> OEM provided the upgrade path. Many OEM's took a long time to
> reluctantly provide this upgrade. I think Microsoft in that and this
> case, should be helping customers more directly.
>

> This is really a problem specific to the OEM, not Microsoft.

I guess then we'll have to agree to disagree on this point.
In my opinion, if Microsoft can provide retail users with a 64 bit
copy, then they should be able to provide a 64 bit copy to those users
who bought their computer (and OS) thru a computer manufacturer.

> This is really a problem specific to the OEM, not Microsoft.

I guess then we'll have to agree to disagree on this point.
In my opinion, if Microsoft can provide retail users with a 64 bit
copy, then they should be able to provide a 64 bit copy to those users
who bought their computer (and OS) thru a computer manufacturer.