Windows liscense question

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Yes, if you can get the 64-bit disk then you can install 64-bit. Also, If you have an OEM copy and try to install it with another system, all you have to do is call M$ and get a confirmation # from them for the install. I've done it about 4 times with a copy of premium I had. I just kept using it for my next build.

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Exactly. If you can find an x64 disk - doesn't matter which version (i.e basic) - just use your key.

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Where's your proof?

You can most certainly reuse an OEM key if it's on the same computer and same hardware that the OS was originally installed on. OEM=one machine only--there's no limit to how many times you can install an OS on the same machine regardless of whether it's an OEM license or regular retail. Learn the facts first, and then post.

EDIT--there's no prohibiting switching from 32-bit to 64-bit with the same license key in MS EULA IIRC, but this article states that the OEM is version-specific, so going between 32 and 64 bit is not allowed--haven't found this directly from MS yet. http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070130-8730.html

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You are most certainly right, You can reinstall an OEM key multiple times on the same motherboard, and similiar hardware configs but as one of the responses, he was told he can even use this OEM key as he upgrades his machine. As do many others...

It seems as though the general opinion, based upon other posts on this forum, with some even having contacted microsoft that an OEM key becomes tied to a motherboard. In the event that an upgrade of the motherboard takes place a new oem key must be purchased.

and thanks for the attack...

Back on topic...

As for the OPs question, this sort of question has been answered several times, feel free to use the search function any time...

I think the keys are only interchangeable if they are a Retail key not OEM.

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First off I did use the search function however as most of us here know it does not work that well. So before telling me this is talked about all the time i have never seen it. I have herd plenty of talk about when you have to get a new key pertaining to upgrades but never about switching from 32 bit to 64b on the same laptop.

To those who stayed on topic and answered my question i thank you. I will try it and if it goes through no problem then ill keep it, if it does not ill revert back to 32 bit. I have the disks from my ulitmate retain on my desktop so ill use that to test.

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Really hmmm...

just a couple of yielded results from simply searching "32 bit to 64 bit vista" in the BASIC SEARCH FUNCTION.

http://www.overclock.net/windows/403...it-64-bit.html

http://www.overclock.net/windows/401...rade-64-a.html

and going back a whopping 5 or so weeks...

http://www.overclock.net/windows/388...-question.html

hmm the search function doesnt work?

look I didnt mean to come in here and muck things up... I wasnt really bashing you... certain replies are against this websites TOS... AND this question has been asked... and several versions of answers have been given...
back on track sort of... as you can see this question has been asked within the past couple weeks... which you could have seen simply by going to page 2 3 or 4.

now what ive read from this site and my understanding of an answer to your question.

I say its not allowed by microsoft but as people have said they lie or leave out details and get around things like that... I hope this helped...

Retail copies of vista come with both 32 and 64 bit DVDs... OEMs come with one...

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Yes....If you can get your hands on an x64 install DVD you can use your 32-bit key with it. It should work no problems.

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well you were really helpful to this person........ NOT
if you are going to post do so to help the person, don't tell them to go and search Google to answer there questions, that is being totally unhelpful
people like you should be banned from forums you are just wasting time and YES you are being VERY RUDE to people, they come here to ask questions and GET HELP not be sent some where else
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b.walker36
if you can get Microsoft to send you a 64bit OEM Disk then yes you can use your key and upgrade, DO NOT Download it from the internet, doing so is illegal and againts EULA, it will make your legal copy, illegal you also can't get it from a Friend, only from MS, you also can not use your OEM key again when you upgrade your system hardware, you will have to buy another copy of windows, how ever you can reinstall your OEM copy on your machine as many times as you want so long as you don't upgrade hardware, you also can not install it on more then 1 machine

that should clear things up

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If you don't want to download, a link to purchase is here -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvist...a/default.mspx
Costs $16 IIRC.
The easiest way is to borrow a x64 disk from a friend.
You can download them but you never know if you will get a clean copy, BTW it isn't technically illegal unless you download a crack with it.
Also the only time an OEM copy will need re-activation is if you change the mobo - any other hardware can be swapped out with no issues.

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I'm sorry, but there is no reason for this thread to be created when it has been answered numerous times on this site alone, and why should I have to help someone else when they should simply try to search first? That's even in the rules in all forums. Search first, before you create a new thread.

Maybe it's just because I mod on other sites, but it's completely useless to create new threads when the answer is already given.