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Enabling 64-bit Vista from 32-bit Dell recovery partition

C

caspur

Senior member
I recently purchased a Dell XPS with 8gb ram. It has to be ordered with a 64bit operating system when you select 8gb ram. Or so I thought.

-When the computer arrived, I noticed it only had 3.25 GB ram, but the bios does show a full 8GB ram.

-Under system properties it indicated 32bit operating system.

I called Dell, who said that this was the way the system was shipped and I was only entitled to the 32bit vista reinstallation cd. He wasn't aware of how to repair the installation to 64-bit using the recovery partition. How do I tell if the recovery partition is 64 bit or 32 bit?

Has anyone had issues with Dell imaging the computers with the wrong operating system?

I don't mind Vista 32 bit as long as it can use the full 8gb ram.

 
Dell sells both x32 and x64 XPS computers. Have you reviewed your order to see what you ordered? If it's Vista x64, that will be clearly indicated. If it's Vista x32, it'll just say "Vista". If you ordered the wrong version or if Dell made a mistake, you need to ask them what can be done.

You can't change x32 to x64 without a full reinstall using a Vista x64 Install DVD.
 
Thanks for the link.

Does this mean I use my current CD key (32bit Vista) with the new 64bit version they send me? Is that even possible, or will I just end up with two copies of Windows...


 
Originally posted by: caspur
Does this mean I use my current CD key (32bit Vista) with the new 64bit version they send me? Is that even possible, or will I just end up with two copies of Windows...
Click to expand...
Dells don't actually USE the Vista Key on the side of the PC. That Key should never be needed. Upon installation, the software recognizes the Dell BIOS and installs without asking for a Key.

You'll only "own" one license for Vista, and that can be either 32- or 64-bit if Dell will give you the appropriate Vista Install DVD.
 
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