Vista 64-bit... Any cheap methods for upgrade?

Well, I already have Vista home premium with my computer, but I thinking of upgrading to 4GB of ram, and I would like a 64-bit operating system. Well, I really dont want to have to shell out a lot of money to upgrade to a 64-bit windows. So, I was wondering if there is any cheap methods? Btw, I am a university student.

 

Either get a 64 bit cd from dell, or search the forums here for the guide to download it from Microsoft's website. Your license should work on both 32 and 64 bit.

 

3 things you gotta know

- Your 32bit Home premium licence will work for 64bit, so you do not have to buy a new licence.

- You just need to get a hold of ANY 64bit Vista install disc. This might be hard to find.

- You cannot 'upgrade' to 64bit, you need to do a clean install.

 

I am willing to reinstall my operating system. I am currently using window xp, because i downgraded before. But now I want to switch back to vista again, since I dont really ever game anymore.

Will I be able to download vista 64-bit, and then burn it onto a DVD?

 

Yes, there are ways of downloading it from the net

There were links to legally download the disc from digital life but they seem to be down

Avoid downloading it from torrents illegaly as they usually attach malware and viruses along with it

 

Hmm, I found this website, but when I click on the download linked I get an error that says: Denied

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/12/22/64-bit-x64-windows-vista-official-direct-download-links/

 

Oh yeah, and another question... the serial i will need to type when I install windows vista x64 is the same number that is on the sticker on the bottom of my laptop right? It says windows vista 32bit OEM, but this same serial should work for a 64-bit version right?

 

yes..............

 

That's sort of things you find using Emule or Kazaa, not on bittorent. Torrents are more way more safe. You can

A) Read the comments on the tracker
B) Compared checksums



To the OP: You might check at your University's store, some have "student prices" and those softwares are really cheap

 

Search the forums for a member named Orev, follow the guides in his sig (as far as validating a fresh Vista install) and you will be golden.

 

The guide is in my sig. If you have the Vista restore discs, that will allow you to use ABR to skip the activation altogether. Otherwise, you can get the media and use the key on the bottom sticker.

 

Torrents may be safer than Kazaa or Emule, but does that make them inherently safe? I think they're safer by comparison, but they're still a risk. That's really why I'm staying away. I have an awesome virus program and other security, but I still don't want to do anything so risky.

 

You can also order the DVDs from Microsoft.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/64bit.mspx

For 99.9% of users out there, I do NOT recommend upgrading to 64 bit Vista. I base this statement on the fact that 99.9% of people out there are not knowledgeable enough to handle any potential pitfalls it comes to when handling compatability issues when installing software for 64bit Vista.

And the people who should install 64 bit Vista will pretty much install it regardless of what I say to them. Which is how it SHOULD be. If you are THAT confident in your computer knowledge, you are the kind of person to handle such an operating system.

Most people don't take into the fact that they will never utilize the extra memory they gain switching from 32 bit Vista to 64 bit Vista. The memory management on Vista is good enough to where you will never top out the 3.6G you have on your laptop. Seriously. If you just want to see the 4.0G under system properties to make you happy and cozy, then I guess that's another issue.

 

Downloading it off bittorrent is fine, just really slow. If theres a lot of people seeding it then the file is probably virus free. I downloaded the retail image with a couple hundred people seeding and it came out fine.

Its best to order the discs off the site though, but I had my back against the wall due to my school's crappy licensing agreement with Microsoft. I couldn't order a disc from microsoft because my educational key wasn't recognized and my school's program didn't offer a disc with a image either.

The problems you can run into on torrents are the "hacked" ones. They can also be clean but a lot of times the hacks can break the functionality of the software or just wont work.

So, just stay with anything thats labeled retail image and has lots of seeds if your forced to the torrents.

In my opinion though, Microsoft should make them easier to get. Pirating shouldn't be problem with something as important as a OS if they locked it up right.

 

Thit MS link only works if you have a retail licence/key. The key that come with our notebooks is a OEM licence

Not entirely true. Do you even have 64bit?

64bit is nearly as good as 32bit compatibility. My 32bit and 64bit have the same programs installed with no problems. Support is getting better because 64bit is the future. The more people on 64bit, the better demand on support we get.

Obviously you will need the right set of drivers for x64, other than that its the same thing as x32. You just need to have enough knowledge about drivers and be aware that x64 isnt 100% compatible with everthing

The only thing that doesnt work on 64bit is my overclocking and undervolting tools, which i knew beforehand needed signed system drivers to run.

I did manage to get them both working perfectly by bypassing the driver checking...

 

as you tell that you have window vista on your pc and you want to upgrade it to 64 bit , for that you have find window vista CD's and you can use same serial for the installation of the 64 bit .