Is my Vista cd key bound to a specific Bit rating?

[Paincake]

I couldn't find anything about my specific subject, so excuse me if its been ''over'' discussed or anything.

I've been told by many that I made a mistake by buying 32bit. And I guess I regret my purchase. I've been stuck with XP ever since because I didn't gain any benefit, the perfomance loss was not worth to keep using Vista.

I recently I asked a close relative of mine to make me a copy of his Vista home premium 64bit sample.

Is the registration cd key code from my purchased version, bound to the specific bit rating? Or can I just change this? I really hope I didn't waste my money here

Thanks in advance.

My system: XP home (Vista home premium 32bit dusted somewhere arround) Quad 6600, 8800GTS 512mb, 2GB ram. Willing to upgrade to 4GB if I get the opportunity to upgrade to 64bit.

 

[Zoron]

I believe if it's OEM, then you're stuck... if it's retail, you can order the 64-bit CD from MS for $10. I'm not absolutely sure on this, though.

 

[tcsenter]

Product keys are unique for each edition but not for 32-bit or 64-bit. However, I don't think you can upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit. You'll need to clean install, IIRC.

 

[Zoron]

I believe it's different with OEM... most OEM stickers I've seen specify 32 or 64-bit. Retail copies of Ultimate (Upgrade or full) come with the 64-bit DVD and with Home, you can order the disc for $10. However, when you buy OEM, you get either the 32-bit or 64-bit DVD with no option to buy the other.

As I said though, I may be mistaken.

 

[tcsenter]

I repeat, the product key is NOT unique to 32-bit or 64-bit, only the edition. It doesn't matter whether its OEM, academic, or retail.

 

[Paincake]

I repeat, the product key is NOT unique to 32-bit or 64-bit, only the edition. It doesn't matter whether its OEM, academic, or retail.

I really hope so. Several articles in the net claim otherwise. So do the store clerks in my local hardware/software store. Starts to get a bit confusing when you hear different story's from different sides.

 

[Paincake]

Product keys are unique for each edition but not for 32-bit or 64-bit. However, I don't think you can upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit. You'll need to clean install, IIRC.

I would perform the formatting process eitherway

 

[Paincake]

I just contacted the microsoft helpdesk in my country. Apparently it shouldn't be a problem. They send forwarded me to a phone number to reqeust a copy. I have to pay a fee for postage of course. Well I hope everything works out, wish me luck

 

[tcsenter]

On the OEM subject, the reason that Microsoft's Alternate Media program to provide 64-bit install DVD doesn't accept OEM product keys is because the OEM is obligated to provide that kind of thing if the customer needs it. That's part of the OEM agreement (i.e. the OEM supports the customer, not Microsoft). Its not a 32-bit v. 64-bit thing.

 

[Zoron]

Like I said, I could have been wrong and it appears that I was mistaken. Learn something new everyday.