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Vista 64bit to 32bit

Rocket468

Rocket468

In Memoriam
Ok, I bought 64bit windows vista prem oem for my putter when i did me up a new computer afew months ago. Well 1/2 my wireless stuff does not support 64bit but most importantly UPS world ship does not support 64bit. So i need 32 bit. Question is my license key tied to just vista prem or is it tided to 64bit vista prem. Hence if i find 32 bit disk can i use my key? I really hate to go spend another 200 bucks.
 
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Given Microsofts drive to control every aspect of their software and the depths they go to when it comes to licensing, I would say you will most likely need a new license.

I would have thought, though, that the 64bit would have been backwards compatible. Apparently that is not the case.
 
it is tied to the specific disc you purchased, if you change even a hard drive you need a new license key (ask me how I know now on my 4th key)
 
archemedes said:
it is tied to the specific disc you purchased, if you change even a hard drive you need a new license key (ask me how I know now on my 4th key)
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THIS is exactly why I have no qualms about using file shares when it comes to Windows. It exactly why I wish Linux would progress further than it has and allow me to run the software I need to.

It just seems totally ludicrous that once you have paid for the software that such restrictions be placed on its usage. Its also while for the time being I have not switched to Vista.

I will go totally Linux before I go to Vista at this point.
 
I had xp, and when my computer died (mother board keeled over) I had to either buy a new license for xp (lost main hard drive also) or go to vista, I have not paid for any extra keys, and from reading I am glad I went 32 bit (I also have about 99% fewer crashes than I ever had on any xp machine)
 
archemedes said:
I had xp, and when my computer died (mother board keeled over) I had to either buy a new license for xp (lost main hard drive also) or go to vista, I have not paid for any extra keys, and from reading I am glad I went 32 bit (I also have about 99% fewer crashes than I ever had on any xp machine)
Click to expand...


just as an fyi, side note, your old xp key should have functioned fine on a fresh xp install. you just usually cant swap out major parts witout reinstalling. if the reinstall doesnt work properly, as long as you have a valid license, a call to Microsoft would have netted you a new valid key to use to re-install.

anywhoo


yeah the key for 64 bit anything wont work with 32 bit anything, be it vista or xp. but yeah, they arent backwards compatible... unlike the amd64 processors that are... go figure :P
 


Well i have learned if i would have bought a retail copy of vista they come with both 64 and 32. 2 disk I bought OEM ;( Since its oem its locked to my computer so i guess i will just toss it when i get vista 32 here.

It not tied to the disk. I have used the same disk to install ultimate 64 on my co workers putter. He just used his key.
 
did you format the disk and re-install? If so did you run fdisk /mbr? I have run into issues before when I formatted a disk and also didnt clear the boot record.
 


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