Vista Ultimate x64

YAYitsAndrew · Mar 5, 2008, 04:04 PM

I went to a microsoft launch event yesterday for visual studio 2008. At the end of the day they were handing out software as always, and I snagged a copy of Vista Ultimate with SP1.

The disk is only 32-bit, however. With my vista business cd that I got through similar means, I was able to enter the cd-key online and have microsoft ship me a 64-bit vista business cd. That same site won't let me enter my vista ultimate cd-key, because it says ultimate comes with 64-bit when you buy it.

So my question is, where is the best (legitimate) way to acquire a 64-bit install cd for vista ultimate? I know I can install from any cd and just use my cd-key. I'm unfortunately the only person in my local tech circle that's embraced vista so I can't bum a friend's cd.

Judas · Mar 5, 2008, 04:08 PM

hmm...

considering that it's got sp1... that's kinda odd..

I know someone that purchased an oem version of vista ultimate 32bit.. (only a single disc)... and phoned in at talked to someone specifically... and they sent him out a 64bit version of ultimate plus a corrisponding key for 19 bucks i think.

I'd have to go talk to him again.

Zelig · Mar 5, 2008, 04:24 PM

All the installer DVDs are the same, you can use the Vista Business DVD, and when you put in your cd-key it will install Ultimate.

Actually, you should be able to even upgrade Vista Business to Vista Ultimate, I've never tried to do that though.

Judas · Mar 5, 2008, 04:29 PM

the only problem i can see is that even though all the dvds include all the same bit oses in one small package...

however..

depending on the version used...

For example.. a retail copy DVD vs the OEM copy DVD... you can NOT interchange the cd keys... it won't even let me do an upgrade mixing the two... (they aren't the upgrade packages... not sure if that would make a difference..... they are just the full copy)

And considering another factor that the SP1 cd key validation may be quite different from the orginal.... i know some Windows XP (orginal)... keys will not work on the official XP SP2 discs straight away...you can take the orginal disc.. and slipstream it... i thought that was odd.. (2 cases of this happening)...

Zelig · Mar 5, 2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

For example.. a retail copy DVD vs the OEM copy DVD... you can NOT interchange the cd keys... it won't even let me do an upgrade mixing the two... (they aren't the upgrade packages... not sure if that would make a difference..... they are just the full copy)

I've exchanged retail/OEM keys to installs from various DVDs, without any trouble.

YAYitsAndrew · Mar 5, 2008, 04:40 PM

I thought I'd be able to just type in my new cd-key somewhere and upgrade to ultimate as well, but when I did that anytime upgrade thing it took me to a website to buy ultimate. I couldn't find an option that was like "I have it already, tards!"

edit: It's also an ultimate full key not a business-ultimate upgrade key. I was just gonna do a reformat in a few weeks when I build my new pc. I'm currently on 32-bit business.

YAYitsAndrew · Mar 5, 2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zelig

All the installer DVDs are the same, you can use the Vista Business DVD, and when you put in your cd-key it will install Ultimate.

Actually, you should be able to even upgrade Vista Business to Vista Ultimate, I've never tried to do that though.

I've got a 64-bit business dvd and I can just use that during my reformat. Or should I try and get the sp1 slipstreamed dvd? I guess what it boils down to is this: is there any difference between installing vista and then installing sp1, or just installing vista with sp1 slipstreamed?

If there's no big difference, I've (oddly enough) got everything I need to get my new computer running with ultimate x64

Zelig · Mar 5, 2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YAYitsAndrew

I've got a 64-bit business dvd and I can just use that during my reformat. Or should I try and get the sp1 slipstreamed dvd? I guess what it boils down to is this: is there any difference between installing vista and then installing sp1, or just installing vista with sp1 slipstreamed?

If there's no big difference, I've (oddly enough) got everything I need to get my new computer running with ultimate x64

No big difference, MS even included a tool with SP1 to clean out old files:
Microsoft Corporation

edit: I reinstalled Vista to get SP1 installed straight from the DVD, but it was due for a reinstallation, and I needed to reorganize my partitions anyway... not sure if I would have bothered otherwise.

YAYitsAndrew · Mar 5, 2008, 05:07 PM

Hah! How can people say vista sucks? They think of everything.

pepiman · Mar 9, 2008, 06:36 PM

still don't get how people have SP1 ... grrr
Windows Update shows me nothing!

Alistair · Mar 10, 2008, 07:00 PM

Luck of the draw

I snatched it up as soon as it showed as available to me.

pepiman · Mar 13, 2008, 12:57 PM

I must be running Windows Update 5-6 times a day just to see if it shows up... nothing so far except 34 language packs and like 8 "Windows Live" applications (euhhhh HIDE.)

Zelig · Mar 13, 2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pepiman

I must be running Windows Update 5-6 times a day just to see if it shows up... nothing so far except 34 language packs and like 8 "Windows Live" applications (euhhhh HIDE.)

Pretty sure it's going up to the general MS downloads sections once large-scale rollouts start with Windows Update in any case.

calidan · Mar 13, 2008, 02:14 PM

The release date of SP1 is the 18th. TechNet and MSDN already have access to it.

Is This Thing On? : Vista SP1

kelticknight · May 13, 2008, 08:42 PM

have 32 bit ulimiate version of vista i got from day one,was wondering is it worth upgrading to 54 bit version of vista,has support got better for 64 and is there any difference in gaming from 32 bit to 64 bit
cheers

Judas · May 14, 2008, 10:05 AM

if everything works on windows vista 32bit..

genereally everything will work on windows 64bit just as well

**dj_stick** · May 15, 2008, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

if everything works on windows vista 32bit..

genereally everything will work on windows 64bit just as well

drivers and applications that heavily rely on those drivers are the exception

Judas · May 15, 2008, 10:12 AM

Example being..

Older Legacy hardware that has no driver in vista at all..... requiring a download from orginal manufacturer... you'd have to make sure they have a driver listed for 64bit hardware..

in some cases, such as a hercules digifire 7.1 sound card... hercules released a 32bit vista driver.. but only vista 32BIT.. no 64bit driver...

**dj_stick** · May 15, 2008, 06:10 PM

and professional applications such as pro tools LE - current version of which only installs on vista 32

pepiman · May 16, 2008, 01:07 PM

some companies need to get over themselves and provide their community with solid drivers.
Logitech for example doesn't even have vista x64 drivers for webcams released AFTER the release of Vista to the market...

mike2h · Jun 5, 2008, 09:08 AM

how many believe vista 64 is good/stable enough to be the only os on your comp?

Judas · Jun 5, 2008, 09:43 AM

ME.... for about 2 years now

Zelig · Jun 5, 2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike2h

how many believe vista 64 is good/stable enough to be the only os on your comp?

Same as Judas, been running Vista x64 since January 2007 as my only Windows OS on my main rig.

Ironically, the only compatibility problems I have are some older games which run fine for me in Wine.

mike2h · Jun 5, 2008, 11:44 AM

thx guys! ill install to day.
for nv card any recs on most stable drivers?

Zelig · Jun 5, 2008, 12:17 PM

Everyone else seems to be having good luck with the 175.16 drivers, they're horrid for me though, so I'm still on the 174.74 set.

mike2h · Jun 5, 2008, 02:45 PM

those were the 2 sets i was looking at

. ill try the 175 1st. ty.