32-Bit Windows Vista Ultimate with 4GB RAM?!?

I just received my T61 with 4 GB RAM, and Windows Vista Ultimate. When I turn it on, it announces that I have only 2.99 GB of RAM. In reading through the threads, it turns out that Lenovo only offers 32-Bit Windows Vista, not the 64-bit version required to use all 4 GB of RAM that I paid for. They don't tell you this while they're soliciting $300 extra for the 4th GB of RAM, of course.

I can't get the Microsoft Upgrade CD because it's an OEM version, and Lenovo doesn't ship a Windows CD with the computer. Not only that, but they don't ship any CDs with their bundled programs either, so even if I went out and bought a fresh 64-bit version of Vista, and installed it, I have no way to reinstall the software and drivers that came with the computer.

I called Lenovo about this, and the answer I got after being transferred 7 times, and being on hold for over 2 hours total, was that yep - my only options were to keep what I have and live with only getting 3 GB of RAM instead of the 4 GB I paid for, or to return the computer. No 64-bit version is available, no CD with Lenovo software or drivers is available, only a "System Restore" that puts it back the exact way it is now.

After reading through the posts here on the subject, I'm confused - it sounds like nobody else is having these problems? I see recommendations to just get a Vista CD, reinstall a clean version of 64-bit windows (removing all bloatware) and everything is rosy. It doesn't seem like I have any of those options! Is there something I'm missing?

If not, my Lenovo experiment is over - it's going back and I'm getting a Dell. This is the type of thing I expect from a home-user PC from Compaq or E-Machines, not from a business-oriented machine from Lenovo.

Any help on this is appreciated. I'm really frustrated.

 

1. you shouldn't have bought 4 gigs of ram through lenovo. its much much much cheaper to get it aftermarket , ie newegg.

2. "I have no way to reinstall the software and drivers that came with the computer.",
go here, has every driver u will ever need.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/s...yind=0&operatingsystemind=53385&validate=true

3. 4 gig of ram is overkill anyways. you wont be able to notice the difference between 2 and 4, let alone 3 and 4.

4. you can easily "obtain" a pirated copy of 64bit vista.


i dont really blame lenovo, it didnt seem like they did anything wrong in this case. because this could have been avoided on your part several ways.

 

While I do believe Lenovo is partially to blame for this, I think there was error on your part for not doing the research. Although I have not tried this on Dell (HP, or any of Lenovo's competitors), I'm sure each of those sites will allow you to configure 4GB of RAM with Vista 32bit. Don't give up hope on Lenovo just yet, I'm sure you'll enjoy the laptop over many of it's competitors.

With that said, I think there is two options you can go with:

1. Live with 3GB of ram while running Windows Vista Ultimate 32Bit
2. Purchase another version of Windows Vista Ultimate 64Bit. Newegg has it for $199

I'm not sure if you can resell Vista Ultimate 32bit from you laptop. I wouldn't even know how to go about it. Maybe someone here can help?

 

Lenovo DID say 32 bit vista only support 3G Memory, it just you didn't read carefully.Anyway here is the text, from

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/migr-67883.html

Memory
PC2-5300 Non-Parity (NP) Double Data Rate Two (DDR2) Technology
The use of 667 MHz SO DIMM memory is recommended for this system.
256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB standard memory
Supports maximum memory up to 4GB
Notebooks with a Windows Vista 32-bit or previous Windows 32-bit operating system can support up to 3 GB of addressable memory.
Notebooks with a Windows Vista 64-bit operating system can support up to 4 GB of addressable memory.
Recommended for memory expansion are 512 MB, 1 GB, and 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667 MHz SO DIMM .[/B]

 

Can't he just buy a 5$ 64-bit windows vista upgrade disc and use that to upgrade to 64-bit?

 

Right, a 32-bit OS will only see in the neighborhood of 3GB of RAM. Mine shows 3072MB while running Vista 32. Selecting Vista Business 64 would have been the only 64-bit choice that Lenovo offers.

It probably would make sense, but they don't know what you are going to be using the PC for, now or in the future.

On the contrary, they probably expect business customers to be more saavy and know that 32-bit operating systems will only address 3GB of RAM. Personally, I am using Vista Ultimate 32, but I plan to install 64-bit Linux and Vista 64 on other drives. I didn't purchase all of my RAM from Lenovo, but I'm sure some would prefer to have all the RAM they want installed by the vendor.

I'm not an expert on Vista licensing, but I'm pretty sure a license level (business, ultimate, etc) can be used for either 32 or 64bit. You can download all of the ThinkVantage software and drivers from Lenovo, and buy a 64bit anytime upgrade DVD for $5. A small price to pay to get exactly what you want.

 

Disagree. There is a big difference between 2GB of memory and 4GB, when using Vista.

Personally, I wouldn't run Vista on my computers unless I have a minimum of 6GB of DDR2 memory and yes, I would definately get the Vista64.

 

Well, you gotta be frustrated at yourself for not doing research, not Lenovo.
Consider it a lesson learned.

 

hmm, i didnt know that. never used vista, i just heard enough bad things to keep me away.

 

This is fixed by buying a DVD for $5, or downloading an iso of the Vista DVD. I don't see why you think you don't have that option. Go to the website, download the drivers, get the DVD, and reinstall 64 bit version.

You shouldn't blame Lenovo for things that aren't their fault.