Vista 32-bit to Vista 64-bit

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Guest

Hi there.

I purchased Windows Vista 32-bit Home Premium today at Office Depot. When I
got home, I noticed (before opening the package) that I had the 32 bit
version, and since I have a 64-bit processor I wanted the 64-bit version. I
went back to the store to return it.

The guy at Office Depot told me the package that I bought is fine, that I
could go online and download what I needed to convert to the 64-bit version,
but I can't seem to find any information on how to do this.

Can anyone help? Where can I download this?
 
You may well have 64bit hardware, but you are best to run Vista 32bit unless
you are running a 64bit application that is mission critical to your
operation..

The Office Depot guy will probably get a raise for convincing you that it is
possible to download the 64bit bits to convert a 32bit OS.. however, do not
be too hard on him.. he has saved you much heartache..

Mark said:
Hi there.

I purchased Windows Vista 32-bit Home Premium today at Office Depot. When
I
got home, I noticed (before opening the package) that I had the 32 bit
version, and since I have a 64-bit processor I wanted the 64-bit version.
I
went back to the store to return it.

The guy at Office Depot told me the package that I bought is fine, that I
could go online and download what I needed to convert to the 64-bit
version,
but I can't seem to find any information on how to do this.

Can anyone help? Where can I download this?
Click to expand...

--


Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
 
Hi Mike,

Thanks for your reply. Could you give me some more detail? Why is the 32-bit
version better even if I have 64-bit hardware?
 
Mark said:
Hi Mike,

Thanks for your reply. Could you give me some more detail? Why is the
32-bit
version better even if I have 64-bit hardware?
Click to expand...
From a practical standpoint, there is no advantage to running the 64 bit
version unless you *need* to. Mike gave you one potential reason, that you
need to run applications that are 64 bit only and require a 64 bit OS (very
rare, BTW). Another possible reason is that you plan on running more than 4
Gigabytes of memory (again, most desktop PC's have no need whatsoever for
more than 4 Gig).
The negatives of dealing with a 64 bit OS are primarily associated with
driver availability. If you really do intend to send away to Microsoft for
the 64 bit version media (the guy at Office Depot is full of it. You can't
download the 64 bit version), you should first be sure that there are 64 bit
Vista drivers available for your motherboard, its chipset, and for all other
hardware devices you plan to use with the PC. You'll probably not have
driver issues with 32 bit Vista, but you are *very* likely to have driver
issues with 64 bit Vista.
FWIW, there's also no performance advantage to running a 64 bit OS when
almost all your apps are 32 bit.
 
Thanks for your reply. And thank you, to Roedy Green and Dennis Pack as well.

I do have exactly 4GB of RAM right now, but don't see myself expanding
anytime soon since my motherboard is at its capacity.

Thanks again. I'll just stick with 32-bit for now.
 
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