A simple Vista-64 bit question.

Hi, I have looked, Maybe I over looked it.. But, Here is the question anyway.

I have ordered a XPS 1530.

When I get it, I want to reformat, And install Vista 64 bit. I see there's instructions for everything. Except I'm missing one thing. Does the CD key that comes with the laptop work with 64 bit as well as 32? How do I go about the install itself. I have a Vista CD.. But is there separate ones for 64 bit? Or is it all the same. Same question, Does the CD contain Home, Premium and Ultimate?

I want to make sure I have everything I will need except drivers..etc.

I will have the cd key from the laptop.. And a Vista cd..

Thanks!

 

Yes, the same CD key will work.

 

when you have a vista disc, it contains all versions of vista (pretty much), it is your key that will determine which vista you get. using the same key will give you the exact same version of vista you currently have....ie. Home Premium 32bit.

 

the 32bit key you have right now will work for 64bit assuming you install the same version (basic,ultimate, etc.)

 

So.. In other words.. There in no way of getting Vista 64 bit on my system without buying a 64 bit cd key. Yet.. The CD will work with all versions.. I that they need to re-think they way they sell Vista.. There should be 2 versions. Ultimate.. And Corporate. And you can choose 64 or 32.

Or.. Dell should ship with 64 bit... Why would they let you upgrade ram to 4gb, If they dont offer 64 bit. 32 only goes to what. Like 3.6gb?

 

No, if you install the same version, you can use the same CD Key.

 

Not true; the same license key will work for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows.

Furthermore, the Windows Vista DVD contains all editions (Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, etc.). When you install, it will automatically install the components that correspond to the version your license key belongs to.

 

OK, Thanks for the info.. Either way, I will try it.

How do you pick what bit version to install? Does it ask? Or is there a way to go about it?

 

From Dell

http://www.dellcommunity.com/suppor...oard.id=Tech_Talk_XPS&message.id=60095#M60095

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=254817

 

It's good to see something official. Vista x64 is a great choice.

 

x64's not all that important for me. I think all you get is 1gb of ram that I have no way of utilizing anyway.

 

I installed 64-bit Vista fine without a Dell installation disc. There is nothing magical about the Dell product key that prevents you from using it.

As for selecting the edition of Windows to install, it automatically selects it based on the product key you enter. For instance, if you enter a Vista Business key, it installs Vista Business.

Microsoft doesn't make any distinction (OEM or retail) between 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Vista for licensing. You can even order a 64-bit installation disc from Microsoft if you have a product key and you only have the 32-bit Vista disc. Ultimate, if I remember correctly, comes packaged with both the 64-bit and 32-bit discs so you can install whichever one you want.

 

x64 is also more secure:

 

I've been running no firewall and no AVG Since I first got XP. Never one virus.

I was always taught in the IRC rooms back in the day Windows is unhackable until you start opening up holes.

 

i'm a dum dum. i might be wrong. i just looked at my oem is 64bit only. i don't feel like going through eula to verify oem rules. retail version i know key works for either. oem could be same also. sorry.

 

That's understandable. For those of us with 4gb of RAM, running a 64-bit OS becomes a necessity, though. When you think about it, though, there aren't really that many reasons not to run a 64-bit OS if you have a 64-bit CPU.

One good thing about installing Vista on a new PC is that drivers aren't an issue. For the hardware manufacturer to be WHQL-certified, Microsoft forces you to compile and release 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the driver; if not, you can't release your Vista driver at all.

So regardless of whatever Dell says, as long as there's 32-bit drivers, the 64-bit drivers are out there somewhere - you just have to hunt them down on the manufacturers' websites.

The problems occur if either a) if you have an old PC and driver support is sketchy (huge problem on my old Compaq), or b) if for some reason you want to run 16-bit DOS programs, which aren't supported in 64-bit Windows any more...

 

Offtopic but it seems like the right minds are here. Theme Park, I love the game. And Theme Hospital. How can I play DOS games? It doesnt work on NTFS as far as I know.

 

A couple of options:

1) Play the game in Windows. Terrifyingly, this works sometimes, which gives me some serious admiration for Microsoft's backwards-compatibility people.

A weird off-topic story, but The Incredible Machine, an ancient game written for Win32s (a weird 32-bit runtime for Windows 3.1), ran perfectly on 64-bit Windows Vista. It even applied the Aero Glass theme to the game windows. It breaks my mind when you think about how old that binary file is. The game was probably compiled before some people on this forum were born.

2) Use DosBox. ( www.dosbox.com). I mean, really, with your Core 2 Duo, I doubt the emulation overhead is going to be an issue...

3) Re-partition your drive, install DOS on a FAT32 partition, and run 16-bit DOS on the bare metal. The idea of doing that on a modern laptop freaks me out a little.

4) Run DOS in VMWare.

5) Go buy yourself a 386 for $10 and play DOS games to your heart's content "the way they were meant to be played".

 

Awesome thanks for the DosBox thing, rep for you!

 

The way to run DOS programs is to download the free DOSbox, which is a 32-bit "DOS emulator", which will run fine in X64, and which will let you play your DOS games in there - I was even able to use my game pad in a game played in DOSbox on Vista X64.

The only thing you can't do outside a VM (or with DOSbox), is run 16-bit Windows programs, including certain older setup programs. But it is very rare to come across one of those.

 

My pleasure... it's all about spreading the love of old DOS games.

 

OEM versions of vista ONLY has the version printed on it's cover, unlike retail packages.

 

Are there no compatibility issues between "normal" windows xp/vista 32 bit applications and vista 64 bit enviroment? Stuff like programming enviroments (c++), games, media players, etc ?

Thanks!

 

Honestly, the only significant issue I've had was the fact that a 64-bit version of the Adobe Flash player wasn't available at first.

 

Can someone please comment on the speed of 64 vs. 32? I was planning to get the new E6400 when it comes out with the higher RAM and turbo boost, but obviously it won't be fully recognized in 32. If I switch to 64, would the speed of the system be that much more noticeable with the higher ram and turbo? Sorry if this is a basic question, i'm pretty new to this.

 

I wouldn't speed the money to get turbo boost, it really isn't worth it. If you are going with 4 GB, you might as well go with 64 bit.

 

No compatibility issues, really.
Programming environments: I run Visual Studio 2008 without any problems whatsoever for both 32-bit and 64-bit development. VMWare works fine (and remarkably fast with 4 GB of memory that 64-bit Windows allows you to address).
Games: Haven't seen any problems. I got a Win32s Windows 3.1 game (The Incredible Machine) to work in 64-bit Vista, complete with Aero Glass, so that should tell you something about the backwards compatibility.
Media players: Microsoft provides 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Media Player with 64-bit Vista, so there aren't any compatibility problems with codecs.
Etc: Like Windows Media Player, two versions of Internet Explorer are provided so there aren't any compatibility problems with plugins.

I mean, it's pretty solid- there are no obvious downsides and the ability to address all your memory is reason enough to use it.

 

kansei, you convinced me

I'll go download a 64bit vista off some torrent and install it with my OEM serial key I'll see how it works out, but for now I feel pretty confident

Thanks!

 

I did just that a little while ago - if you want my advice, get an MSDN disc image with SP1 slipstreamed. The official Microsoft slipstreamed one is a lot better than any sketchy self-made ones you might see on the torrents or Usenet.

 

i called xps support the day i got mine and they shipped x64 vista reinstallation disk w/ no questions asked......

and everyone keep saying what's the point--it's only 1 additional gig of memory--> x64 vista supports up to, what is it, 128GB of memory, depended on the version.. even though right now most major mobo's only support 8GB ram.............

 

Downloading from torrents is quite risky and somewhat illegal even if you do use your legit key. I suggest you get hold of a vista disc properly. I believe DeLL notebooks get entitled to the x64 disc when requested

According to the thread that Greg posted a while ago..

 

It's not just the additional RAM. Vista64 seems to run faster and stabler than its 32-bit counterpart on both my laptop and my AthlonX2-based desktop. It's really quite an improvement as long as you can find drivers.

 

64bit OS are future-proof for awhile and with drivers being so easy to find now, it should be an easy decision. There are really no down sides to running a 64bit OS unless your running a Packard-Bell from 1998 then you have an artifact that should be on eBay.

 

I hear you all with the advice about finding an original disc/image of Vista, but I already have my laptop delivered, and I really don't know where I should go to request such a disc, and also I don't live in the US, I'm from Romania. I don't think that if I call the store where I ordered the laptop from they'd hand me an original Vista 64 disc.

I don't see any option for me but a torrent version for now

 

^ Try ordering direct from MS, I'll see if I can find the page...

EDIT: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

 

It sais:

" We're sorry, the following error(s) have occurred:
No Offer Found"

Apparently I can't just order it from there... Is the CD-Key that came with my laptop not good? I don't get it really...

 

Regarding 64-bit OS and application compatibility/issues...

...has anyone used "Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Premium" (or similar CS package/applications) on Vista 64-bit with success? I'm on the fence about a new Gateway system (P-6860FX) due to it having the 64-bit OS, for fear of Adobe CS not working. I NEED that suite to work completely for my job, etc. I love that Gateway and would really like to get it, but need to feel a bit more confident about the OS.

I was told to try contacting MS about getting a 32-bit version if the 64-bit dosent work (for only the cost of shipping), but not sure if they'd do that...

 

Hi, for flexusXPS1330 and others who can't order 64 bit from Dell or M$ and who don't want to download on a torrent, there is a thread that details how you can download the files that make up Vista (32 or 64 bit) directly from M$ for free. These files are legal and safe and you can use your original key to activate them. The information is all here http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=240320. Please read the thread for details. Please pm me to find out how to download the files as they are down right now. The files do not contain sp1 but you can download it.

 

I want to let you know I found an x64 original non-cracked cd-key activated Vista DVD image (containing all versions, depending on CD-Key provided) on torrents, which is pretty much what I wanted.

I don't see how this may be illegal in any way. Rather than pay for MSs DVD and wait up to 28 days, I get the same deal for free TODAY. As long as I install it using my OEM cd-key provided by Dell I don't see why I should have any concerns.

yasdaz: thanks for trying to help out

 

Good for you. Just make sure they didnt integrate malware and viruses in there. Its quite easy, its just like integrating SP1 or drivers using vLite.

 

That would be nasty, but it's not that bad after all. I'll install an antivirus anyway. Also I've already installed different versions of XP and Vista about 5 times, 1 more won't matter . After all, there's always the OEM 32 bit disc to fall back to if nothing else works properly

 

I've test fitted a hacked 64bit Ultimate version while downloading the original 64bit Vista image (which is taking it's time, should be all done today maybe).

Except for the video drivers which are not supported by dell (I got some drivers off www.laptopvideo2go.com and also Vista offers some drivers through the update feature) I find the 64bit Vista ok. Everything works as before. Considering it's the future anyway, and my laptop has the top hardware to fly it, it's probably the best way to go.

Can't wait to install the original Vista and start the transition to making the XPS 1330 my main laptop, instead of the current 1.5GHz Celeron, 1GB ram, integrated Intel video, 15.4" screen, Acer 3year old laptop