Hi all,
I recently built myself a new PC. I carefully reasearched what kit i
was going to buy but when it came to the OS i just assumed 64 bit cpu,
get a 64 bit operating system. I guess I was wrong.
Apart from not needing a 64 bit OS (no 64 bit apps and only 4GB RAM at
the mo) I am having loads of problems, most of which are driver
related.
I can't get a wireless network to function reliably (about 5% chance
it will work!). My scaner has no drivers and i am experiencing other
randoms isdsues as well.
So due to all this i would like to go from 64 bit to 32 bit.
However as i built a new pc i bought an OEM copy of Vista ultimate.
Will my 64 bit OEM product key work with an OEM 32 bit copy? If so
does anyone know where i can get a copy of the software from? I have
checked torrents etc but they all seem to be crecked editions etc
which i do want want to either support or download.
If my key does work, i take it that it IS legal to download a copy and
use my LEGAL key to activate it.
Thanks in advance for any reponse
Charlie Russel - MVP - 06 Jul 2007 15:34 GMT
Unfortunately, OEM versions of Windows Vista are explicitly 64-bit or
32-bit. There are no rights to the alternate one. (This is not true of full
retail copies of Vista Ultimate, which include both DVDs in the package, and
a single serial number.)
You'll have to buy a 32-bit version of Vista, I'm afraid. And you should
re-format your system drive during the install.

Signature
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64
> Hi all,
>
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>
> Thanks in advance for any reponse
John Barnes - 06 Jul 2007 21:30 GMT
One of the drawbacks of OEM is that you must determine what version you are
going to run before you buy it. A few have said that they had the key work
with the other version. You might have to weight the cost of a new OEM copy
or the cost of replacing your equipment and software if that is feasible.
64-bit will be the future so you may want to spend a few extra $ to keep
your current OS.
> Hi all,
>
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>
> Thanks in advance for any reponse