Vista 64 question

DocHD · Jul 1, 2009

Ok I have a computer with Vista 32 bit on it, and I an buying a new computer with vista 64 bit on it. Both vistas are OEM version. can I use the 64 bit version to upgrade the 32 bit version to 64 bit or do i have to buy 2 seperate operating systems. Thanks for your help

DocHD · Jul 1, 2009

Thanks I didnt realize microsoft was so hard up for the dough, why would they make a operating system that only recognizes 3 gig of ram??

Novice · Jul 1, 2009

A point worth mentioning is to check that your system that has 32 bit Vista installed has a 64 bit capable processor before spending the money.

TheRealGEEK · Jul 1, 2009

oem's usuly come with 2-3 licences as long as you have only installed it once you will be able to use it on 2-3 seprate computers. (know people who have done it)

plodr · Jul 1, 2009

What OEMs are you using?

...the OEM license is permanently tied to the original computer
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Everything I read says the OEM is tied to the hardware, specifically, the motherboard.

Also

There are some gotchas, though. OEM software cannot be returned once opened. There are no exceptions. You open it, you've bought it.

OEM software is also tied to the motherboard it is first installed on. Unlike the retail versions of Windows which can be transferred to a new computer, OEM versions are not transferable. What about upgrading hardware? Microsoft says that anything is fair game, except the motherboard. Replacing the motherboard in a computer results in a "new personal computer," which the company considers to be synonymous with a transfer. It's not permitted with an OEM edition of Windows....
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DavidGP · Jul 2, 2009

DomLuc said: ↑

Retail licenses do have flexibility, but that's news to me about OEM licenses because if you read MS website they are for that physical system only. They don't even automatically come with any physical back up media and many manufacturers *never* provide physical back up media for OEM builds. In any case it is the Product Key and an OEM product key will not activate on a different piece of hardware.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP#License_and_media_types (applies to Vista too)
and
http://www.overclock.net/windows/156182-oem-clarification.html
and
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-The-Windows-OEM-License-Dies-with-Its-Computer-88220.shtml

NB: If what you said about OEM was true they wouldn't sell any retail licenses
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Me too on the OEM licences DomLuc, not come across OEMs with multi licence status and are much cheaper than their retail counterparts.... I have OEM licence of Vista and wont install on two PCs, tried by accident once and just gave me the 30day limit to get a full none used licence, Volume *VL*, Software Assurance, Open Licencing, Select and Enterprise yes (depending on the scale of what number of licences you want, they are also not all unlimited).

Also to add you cannot just do an upgrade from 32bit to 64bit, its a clean install you'll need to be doing i'm afraid, Info here

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Vista 64 question

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