Changing Vista 32 to x64... after the machine arrives? What are my options?

Hi,
I'm expecting my T400 to arrive next week! After doing some research I think I'm going to go with the 64 bit version of Vista Business. The machine is coming pre-installed with Vista Business 32 bit however. So, what are my options?

1) Will Lenovo send me a 64x installation disk if I request it?
2) Also, I understand that I can use my key on a retail version so long as it's the Business edition. I'm wondering if anyone has actually done this with the Business edition or is this only possible in Ultimate? I've got good evidence that there is no difference between oem and retail versions. I'd like to hear from folks who have attempted this not just speculators. We all know this wasn't possible in XP, but I think Vista is different. Anyhow, obviously if this is possible then I'll probably go this route.
3) If I do install from a retail version I suppose I must make sure that I don't register my 32 bit version since the key might not activate properly once it has been activated. I've heard some people skip the initial key entry and then enter it once they're up and running.
Thanx.

 

Ask Lenovo!

I wouldn't worry about "burning" windows keys. You can easily call Microsoft and say your hardware config changed and manually activate over the phone.

 

Don't talk to Microsoft over the phone, you'll get nothing but hassles, and they may deactivate your key. Check this guide out, it contains instructions on how to perform a clean install, and how to transfer your key.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783

 

Interesting. I've never had any problems doing manual activations. Nice guide though.

 

I am not sure if I understand your full question, but it seems you bought Vista Business 32 bit from Lenovo and you are asking if you can go to Vista Business 64. The simple answer is Yes, you can. What you need to do is acquire a Vista disc. I don't think Lenovo will give you the 64 bit disc and like Charr said I would personally want to deal as less with MS as possible. Not to mention that Microsoft won't give you a 64 bit disc unless you bought the retail version, not OEM like you got from Lenovo. But you can find the disc on your own from sellers on the internet or from a friend. You need to acquire either the "anytime upgrade disc", OEM disc or retail disc. The disc must be of the 64 bit variety. So, now when you have the disc, you have the media and you already bought the key from Lenovo, so you are set to go. Now you must do a clean install to Vista Business 64. Read through Stallen's Vista clean install guide. It was written for the T61 series of machines, but a lot of it is still relevant. My advise is to use your OEM preactivated key during the clean install. This is mentioned in this guide.

 

Is there a way to do so without a clean install? It seems a bit complicated to me.

If I download a 64bit version of vista through MSDNAA at my institution, can I go from my preloaded 32 bit version to the 64 bit without having to accomplish anything complicated?

thanks a lot.

 

I am sorry, you will need to reinstall. Don't let it scare you. It really is not that hard, you just have to be patient and it is a little time consuming. Just make sure you download all the correct drivers. Read the "Readme" files for each one and install them(as specified in the readme file) one by one in the order specified in the guide. Reboot after each driver is installed, even if you are not specifically asked to. The reboots make it a little time consuming. I did it once and have not had a single issue with it. Do it when you get bored some day.

 

Thanks for your response.

So whenever people want to upgrade their vista to another version of it, they have to do a clean install? Even though if they go through Windows anytime upgrade? I messed up with my drivers using Drivermax and I had to do a custom factory restore so...Is there a detailed guide somewhere to help you find the correct drivers by the way?

In here?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783

 

Yes Stallen's Clean Install Guide for Vista is brilliant.

The only thing I would add, although it doesn't apply to you since you are talking about a new machine, is a reminder to de-authorize, de-activate, de-everything you can before starting the clean install. For example iTunes, Adobe products, and anti-virus subscriptions. It makes re-installing them sooo much easier.

 

You know, I am not sure I have ever done that with Windows personally. I always just installed from scratch, never tried to do an in place upgrade. But in your case you are changing the CPU architecture, going from 32 bit to 64 bit, which requires a reinstall

What machine do you have? Stallen's guide was written for the T61 machines but a lot of it should work with Lenovo's other machines. You should know the config of your machine, such as if you ordered bluetooth, what your wifi card is etc. Look at step #2 of the guide about installing the drivers. The links there point you do Lenovo's driver downloads for their various components that they install. The drivers you will need will be located on this page. If you don't know what is in your machine, you will need to do some research. Check out your control panel and note down what CPU you have, GPU, Wifi card etc. Also you can run PC Doctor, which should come with your machine(at least it did on mine), and it will create a report of the hardware it finds on your machine. Once you know what hardware you have start looking for the drivers on the Lenovo page.

 

Somone just told me that since my system's hardware was pre-configured for the 32 bit vista so going up to 64 bit wouldn't be as good as a pre-configured 64 bit equivalent system. Is it true?

 

this is not necessarily true.

Pretty much the only hiccup you may encounter hardware-wise is finding x64 drivers for all your devices. This USE to be a problem. Now it has becomes less and less of a problem, especially in Vista.

On a side note, I hear Microsoft requires device drivers to work with x64 Vista if they are to be digitally signed by Microsoft. I have yet to find any documentation on this, but this was from a hardware device driver engineer.

 

You should stop listening to this person.

 

That's what I thought. Thanks for the reinsurance.

 

Could you please explain the last part about digitally signed drivers? I googled it but I couldn't figure it out completely. thanks again.

 

All of the T400 drivers are x64 compatible or have separate drivers for this. It's as much an x64 Vista machine as it is x86. It doesn't matter what came on the machine. That's not relevant. The drivers are all signed for this machine. The only issue is whether you have devices like printers, scanners, mice, etc. You need to check to see if these have x64 drivers. Some might not and you will have to decide what to do if this is the case. Also, some programs don't work under x64, but mostly these are things like virus scanners and reg programs. Most of the big programs out there are supporting x64 now. One exception is flash. If you want to run Internet Explorer x64 then you won't have flash. But you can just run the 32 bit version until Adobe gets it together. There's a thread on this site that gives you everything you need to know about doing a clean install of x64, which is what you'll have to do if the machine is shipping with x86. Go here http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783&highlight=vista+clean+install . Print it and download the little program for saving your reg key. This will avoid a lot of hassles. Good luck!