Downgrade from Vista Ultimate 64 bit to 32 bit

[Matt S]

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]

Re: Downgrade from Vista Ultimate 64 bit to 32 bit

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.

--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64

"Matt S" <mattstrain@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1183731385.554387.38210@g13g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> 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
>

 

[John Barnes]

Re: Downgrade from Vista Ultimate 64 bit to 32 bit

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.

"Matt S" <mattstrain@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1183731385.554387.38210@g13g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> 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
>