Hey, I have a retail copy of 32-bit Vista sigh and will soon be getting a new PC, with 4GB of RAM and a 1GB graphics card. Of course, I need 64-bit to run all this properly and make full use of it. So, do I have to buy a retail copy of 64-bit or is there something else? Preferable free as don't have the budget for OS as well! Thanks in advance, Cookeh
Since your copy of Vista is retail, your key should work on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Did it not come with two discs, one for each version? If not, is there any way you can get hold of a copy from elsewhere and just use your existing key?
ah good point i was just thinking get him on win 7 lol but yeah although it wouldnt matter even if the key was OEM since the key does not distingush between 32 and 64. see if you can grab a retail 64-bit vista disc from a friend if not ill have a poke around i may have one.
Cheers, can't really afford a new OS - but need 64-bit I have a retail copy of Vista, but only contains 32bit disc
Ah no worries, but +1 to your last statement! Failing that, may have to beg my Uncle to borrow his retail copy of W7
if your uncle uses the license you will have issue since you cant install retail on more than 1 PC at any 1 time you both will have issues with activation every so often and eventually a blocked key most likely
Ah, so I can't do it like that then xD I assume that because I've used a key on my current PC I won't be able to use it on my new one? Or can you use the same key over and over?
yes you can use the same key over and over again providing its only on 1 PC at any 1 time you can make any number of changes to hardware wont effect activation.
If you want a free OS, go for Linux! Unless you have any Windows critical apps (like most games... ) then it should be fine. Failing that, follow the advice of other posts and upgrade to Win7.
