Friend wants to move from Vista HP x64 to x86

[gba]

I have not tried to talk him out of it yet. He wrote me saying he has software that wont run on x64. I will call him and ask him about that issue, but I would like to have his answer handy regarding moving to x86 before I call. Does anyone know if an x86 key would be available at a discount or perhaps even for free to an unhappy camper?

Thanks

 

[Crusty]

Software that won't run on x64? The only 32-bit software that Vista x64 should have problems with are drivers. Sounds like a user error to be honest.

 

[Lepard]

x64 and x86 keys should be interchangeable... just make sure you select the same edition (e.g. Home Premium, Business, etc.)

 

[gba]

Originally posted by: Lepard
x64 and x86 keys should be interchangeable... just make sure you select the same edition (e.g. Home Premium, Business, etc.)

OK, thanks he will like that... I am wondering if they would send him the x86 installation disk, though?

EDIT: Crusty, I just spoke to my friend, the "software" he had problems with were, indeed, driver issues...

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: gba

Originally posted by: Lepard
x64 and x86 keys should be interchangeable... just make sure you select the same edition (e.g. Home Premium, Business, etc.)

OK, thanks he will like that... I am wondering if they would send him the x86 installation disk, though?

EDIT: Crusty, I just spoke to my friend, the "software" he had problems with were, indeed, driver issues...

What hardware is he having problems with? Odds are, there are proper Vista drivers for it.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: gba

Originally posted by: Lepard
x64 and x86 keys should be interchangeable... just make sure you select the same edition (e.g. Home Premium, Business, etc.)

OK, thanks he will like that... I am wondering if they would send him the x86 installation disk, though?

EDIT: Crusty, I just spoke to my friend, the "software" he had problems with were, indeed, driver issues...

What hardware is he having problems with? Odds are, there are proper Vista drivers for it.

Agreed - in this day and age there's _very_ few 64 bit issues anymore.

 

[nerp]

Except for some really old stuff. 🙂

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: gba
Does anyone know if an x86 key would be available at a discount or perhaps even for free to an unhappy camper?

Does he have OEM or Retail version? If OEM, did it come with a prebuilt computer or did he buy an OEM System Builder copy?

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: dclive

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: gba

Originally posted by: Lepard
x64 and x86 keys should be interchangeable... just make sure you select the same edition (e.g. Home Premium, Business, etc.)

OK, thanks he will like that... I am wondering if they would send him the x86 installation disk, though?

EDIT: Crusty, I just spoke to my friend, the "software" he had problems with were, indeed, driver issues...

What hardware is he having problems with? Odds are, there are proper Vista drivers for it.

Agreed - in this day and age there's _very_ few 64 bit issues anymore.

I can name a recent program that doesn't work on Vista 64 bit.

Sandboxie 🙁

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: pcslookout

Originally posted by: dclive

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: gba

Originally posted by: Lepard
x64 and x86 keys should be interchangeable... just make sure you select the same edition (e.g. Home Premium, Business, etc.)

OK, thanks he will like that... I am wondering if they would send him the x86 installation disk, though?

EDIT: Crusty, I just spoke to my friend, the "software" he had problems with were, indeed, driver issues...

What hardware is he having problems with? Odds are, there are proper Vista drivers for it.

Agreed - in this day and age there's _very_ few 64 bit issues anymore.

I can name a recent program that doesn't work on Vista 64 bit.

Sandboxie 🙁

I can name a couple more. My VPN software for school and object dock (doesnt run tray docklet).

There is probably hundreds if not thousands more programs that dont run in 64 that will run in 32.

But for the most part popular programs have been updated to work on 64bit and I would think most new programs being made now will work with 64bit.

 

[XBoxLPU]

The only issue I have with Vista x64 is Cisco has no VPN Client.. which I have a Windows XP Virtual PC setup just for the task

 

[gba]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

Originally posted by: gba
Does anyone know if an x86 key would be available at a discount or perhaps even for free to an unhappy camper?

Does he have OEM or Retail version? If OEM, did it come with a prebuilt computer or did he buy an OEM System Builder copy?

Thanks for the help.. sorry for the delay, I was not able to check here over the last few days.. My friend has an OEM disk of x64 that came with a machine that was custom made for him. He really does not care to engage in discussion about how to make things go with x64 at this point, he just would like to install x86.

So, the question remains: would he be able to use his key and, if so, would MS provide him with a disk?

Thanks again for all of the input.

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

I don't believe Microsoft ships free x64 > x86 sidegrade disks for OEM packages, but the license should work on a x86 installation if you found a one.

 

[gba]

Ok, thanks, that is what someone else thought, too.

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: gba
So, the question remains: would he be able to use his key and, if so, would MS provide him with a disk?

No, the OEM is obligated to provide support for things such as replacement or installation media, not Microsoft. That's part of the whole OEM thing.

 

[gba]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

Originally posted by: gba
So, the question remains: would he be able to use his key and, if so, would MS provide him with a disk?

No, the OEM is obligated to provide support for things such as replacement or installation media, not Microsoft. That's part of the whole OEM thing.

that makes sense. thanks

 

[zerogear]

Originally posted by: gba

Originally posted by: Lepard
x64 and x86 keys should be interchangeable... just make sure you select the same edition (e.g. Home Premium, Business, etc.)

OK, thanks he will like that... I am wondering if they would send him the x86 installation disk, though?

EDIT: Crusty, I just spoke to my friend, the "software" he had problems with were, indeed, driver issues...

Hurray for PEBKC