Windows Vista 64-bit media?
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I have a Dell Vostro 420 that came with Windows Vista 32-bit, and Windows XP mode installed. I heard mixed reports about Windows Vista at the time, so I still have Windows XP installed. I have the Windows Vista 32-bit installation DVD, and the Windows product key on the computer says Windows Vista Business 32-bit as well. Would this product key work for Vista 64-bit? I recently added more memory to my system - the BIOS shows 6 GB installed. Now I want to upgrade Windows as well, yet moving to a 64-bit OS is the most important thing for now. Dell doesn't support 64-bit OS's on the Vostro 420, however I have read on several forums that Windows Vista or Windows 7 64-bit will run just fine on the Vostro 420. I don't want to switch to Windows 8 just yet, I would rather go to Vista or 7 64-bit for now. I called Microsoft, and they said that Vista is no longer produced. I could get Windows Vista media with a Premium Support contract for $99, which would be silly as the upgrade to Windows 8 is only $40 now (via download). I'm wondering if someone might be able to provide me a copy of Windows Vista Business or Windows 7 64-bit? I am fully aware that no support is available; I am perfectly comfortable getting the necessary drivers myself, and resolving any other issues that may come up on my own.
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I have a Dell Vostro 420 that came with Windows Vista 32-bit, and Windows XP mode installed. I heard mixed reports about Windows Vista at the time, so I still have Windows XP installed. I have the Windows Vista 32-bit installation DVD, and the Windows product key on the computer says Windows Vista Business 32-bit as well. Would this product key work for Vista 64-bit? I recently added more memory to my system - the BIOS shows 6 GB installed. Now I want to upgrade Windows as well, yet moving to a 64-bit OS is the most important thing for now. Dell doesn't support 64-bit OS's on the Vostro 420, however I have read on several forums that Windows Vista or Windows 7 64-bit will run just fine on the Vostro 420. I don't want to switch to Windows 8 just yet, I would rather go to Vista or 7 64-bit for now. I called Microsoft, and they said that Vista is no longer produced. I could get Windows Vista media with a Premium Support contract for $99, which would be silly as the upgrade to Windows 8 is only $40 now (via download). I'm wondering if someone might be able to provide me a copy of Windows Vista Business or Windows 7 64-bit? I am fully aware that no support is available; I am perfectly comfortable getting the necessary drivers myself, and resolving any other issues that may come up on my own.
Product key for 32bit Vista will not work with 64bit. also the product key you have will also not work with the retail version DVD even if it is 32bit. because your product key is of Volume licensing and the version you have on your DVD is OEM version of Windows. (There is a separate product key for 32bit and 64bit OEM version) I would suggest you to either go with Windows 8 64 bit or Windows 7 64 bit (if you are not ready for Metro UI). That $40 is worth spending over Vista's resource hungriness and driver issues (specially since you have Dell, Dell is very well known for it's laziness for supporting older systems and older OS).