Vista x86 Upgrade to Win7 x64

  • Thread starter Thread starter Edward W. Thompson
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Edward W. Thompson

I have purchased an Acer Aspire 6930G laptop that came with Vista x86 (32
bit) installed but with a free 'upgrade' to Windows 7 x86. I have a
'desktop' and an update copy of Windows 7 (legit) that came with both 32 and
64 bit disks. I have installed the 64 bit version onto the desktop. I want
to install the 64 bit version of Win7 onto my laptop but Microsoft insist
they will only provide the 32 bit version as I am 'updating' from a 32 bit
version. (seems that they are being simply bloody minded). My question is
can I successfully install the 64 bit version (I have the disk) and activate
it using the 'key' that will come with the 32 bit OEM upgrade? The possible
problem I anticipate is the 32 bit version will be an OEM version whereas
the 64 bit disk that I have is of the MS vanilla variety. Anyone with any
experience of this?

I note that the serial number of Vista loaded onto the laptop includes the
designator OEM. Does that mean that any key used to register the OS will
need to have a similar key, that is including the designator OEM.

While I know I will not be abiding strictly to the terms of the license by
doing what I want to do, there is no loss to Microsoft. In my op[inion I
am not denying Microsoft of anything to which they are entitled..
 
Edward said:
I have purchased an Acer Aspire 6930G laptop that came with Vista
x86 (32 bit) installed but with a free 'upgrade' to Windows 7 x86. I have
a 'desktop' and an update copy of Windows 7 (legit) that
came with both 32 and 64 bit disks. I have installed the 64 bit
version onto the desktop. I want to install the 64 bit version of
Win7 onto my laptop but Microsoft insist they will only provide
the 32 bit version as I am 'updating' from a 32 bit version. (seems
that they are being simply bloody minded). My question is can I
successfully install the 64 bit version (I have the disk) and
activate it using the 'key' that will come with the 32 bit OEM
upgrade? The possible problem I anticipate is the 32 bit version
will be an OEM version whereas the 64 bit disk that I have is of
the MS vanilla variety. Anyone with any experience of this?
I note that the serial number of Vista loaded onto the laptop
includes the designator OEM. Does that mean that any key used to
register the OS will need to have a similar key, that is including
the designator OEM.
While I know I will not be abiding strictly to the terms of the
license by doing what I want to do, there is no loss to Microsoft.
In my op[inion I am not denying Microsoft of anything to which they
are entitled..
Click to expand...

No. Product keys do not work like that.
 
Shenan Stanley said:
Edward said:
I have purchased an Acer Aspire 6930G laptop that came with Vista
x86 (32 bit) installed but with a free 'upgrade' to Windows 7 x86. I have
a 'desktop' and an update copy of Windows 7 (legit) that
came with both 32 and 64 bit disks. I have installed the 64 bit
version onto the desktop. I want to install the 64 bit version of
Win7 onto my laptop but Microsoft insist they will only provide
the 32 bit version as I am 'updating' from a 32 bit version. (seems
that they are being simply bloody minded). My question is can I
successfully install the 64 bit version (I have the disk) and
activate it using the 'key' that will come with the 32 bit OEM
upgrade? The possible problem I anticipate is the 32 bit version
will be an OEM version whereas the 64 bit disk that I have is of
the MS vanilla variety. Anyone with any experience of this?
I note that the serial number of Vista loaded onto the laptop
includes the designator OEM. Does that mean that any key used to
register the OS will need to have a similar key, that is including
the designator OEM.
While I know I will not be abiding strictly to the terms of the
license by doing what I want to do, there is no loss to Microsoft.
In my op[inion I am not denying Microsoft of anything to which they
are entitled..
Click to expand...

No. Product keys do not work like that.
Click to expand...
I had no idea you could install a 64bit OS on a 32 bit system......
 
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
I had no idea you could install a 64bit OS on a 32 bit system......
Click to expand...

Most computers nowadays have 64 bit processors.
AMD, long ago.
 
Edward W. Thompson said:
I have purchased an Acer Aspire 6930G laptop that came with Vista x86 (32
bit) installed but with a free 'upgrade' to Windows 7 x86. I have a
'desktop' and an update copy of Windows 7 (legit) that came with both 32
and 64 bit disks. I have installed the 64 bit version onto the desktop.
I want to install the 64 bit version of Win7 onto my laptop but Microsoft
insist they will only provide the 32 bit version as I am 'updating' from a
32 bit version. (seems that they are being simply bloody minded). My
question is can I successfully install the 64 bit version (I have the
disk) and activate it using the 'key' that will come with the 32 bit OEM
upgrade? The possible problem I anticipate is the 32 bit version will be
an OEM version whereas the 64 bit disk that I have is of the MS vanilla
variety. Anyone with any experience of this?

I note that the serial number of Vista loaded onto the laptop includes the
designator OEM. Does that mean that any key used to register the OS will
need to have a similar key, that is including the designator OEM.

While I know I will not be abiding strictly to the terms of the license by
doing what I want to do, there is no loss to Microsoft. In my op[inion I
am not denying Microsoft of anything to which they are entitled..
Click to expand...

My only experience with this type of thing is somewhat dated, but it would
indicate that an OEM key will not work with the retail product.

In addition, I hope you know that you *cannot* upgrade an existing x86
install to x64 anything. You must do a clean install. Also, you need to be
sure that you can obtain *all* needed 64 bit drivers for your laptop's
hardware.
Does Acer supply x64 drivers for your model?
 
PvdG42 said:
Edward W. Thompson said:
I have purchased an Acer Aspire 6930G laptop that came with Vista x86 (32
bit) installed but with a free 'upgrade' to Windows 7 x86. I have a
'desktop' and an update copy of Windows 7 (legit) that came with both 32
and 64 bit disks. I have installed the 64 bit version onto the desktop.
I want to install the 64 bit version of Win7 onto my laptop but
Microsoft insist they will only provide the 32 bit version as I am
'updating' from a 32 bit version. (seems that they are being simply
bloody minded). My question is can I successfully install the 64 bit
version (I have the disk) and activate it using the 'key' that will come
with the 32 bit OEM upgrade? The possible problem I anticipate is the 32
bit version will be an OEM version whereas the 64 bit disk that I have is
of the MS vanilla variety. Anyone with any experience of this?

I note that the serial number of Vista loaded onto the laptop includes
the designator OEM. Does that mean that any key used to register the OS
will need to have a similar key, that is including the designator OEM.

While I know I will not be abiding strictly to the terms of the license
by doing what I want to do, there is no loss to Microsoft. In my
op[inion I am not denying Microsoft of anything to which they are
entitled..
Click to expand...

My only experience with this type of thing is somewhat dated, but it would
indicate that an OEM key will not work with the retail product.

In addition, I hope you know that you *cannot* upgrade an existing x86
install to x64 anything. You must do a clean install. Also, you need to be
sure that you can obtain *all* needed 64 bit drivers for your laptop's
hardware.
Does Acer supply x64 drivers for your model?
Click to expand...

Thank you and all other who have responded.

Yes I am aware that I would need to do a 'clean/custom' install and 'yes'
the appropriate 64 bit drivers are all available.

I was hoping for a clear answer to the question, that is either an OEM key
will/will not activate the retail product but it seems that no one is sure
although the impression is it is unlikely. I suppose nothing is lost to try
and that is what I shall do. In some respect I don't think there is much if
anything to be gained by installing the 64 bit version but I would like to
have both desktop and laptop on identical OSes
 
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