So Vista x64 requires a clean install

[XMan]

But I bought an upgrade version . . ? Will the CD key I used for 32-bit work if I format and reinstall the 64?

Lack of an upgrade option is somewhat annoying . . . I just got my programs and settings just right. :\

 

[XBoxLPU]

Originally posted by: XMan
But I bought an upgrade version . . ? Will the CD key I used for 32-bit work if I format and reinstall the 64?

Lack of an upgrade option is somewhat annoying . . . I just got my programs and settings just right. :\

Cd key will work fine

 

[XMan]

Good to know. 🙂 The 64-bit version doesn't say anything about being coded to an upgrade license.

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: XBoxLPU

Originally posted by: XMan
But I bought an upgrade version . . ? Will the CD key I used for 32-bit work if I format and reinstall the 64?

Lack of an upgrade option is somewhat annoying . . . I just got my programs and settings just right. :\

Cd key will work fine

Eh . . . maybe not?

The following failure occured while trying to use the product key:

Code:

0xC004F061

Description:
The softrware licensing service determined that this specified product key can only be used for upgrading, not for clean installations.

No product key in my 64-bit media, either.

 

[QuixoticOne]

I don't know how you installed the 64.. I assume you clean-installed it without specifying a product key during install.

Try this:
run a command prompt AS ADMINISTRATOR
new shortcut -> cmd
right-click cmd: Run as Administrator
slmgr -ipk xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx
where xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx is your vista product activation key.

if that works:
slmgr -ato
to activate online automatically at that point or
slmgr -dti
to get the info you need (except the phone number) for activating over the phone.

See here for all the details:
http://www.techwrighter.com/in...k=view&id=67&Itemid=27
http://thevistaforums.com/inde...om=ineo&showarticle=37

 

[XMan]

Yes, I clean installed. When I booted with the 64-bit media it told me it could not upgrade the 32-bit installation. When I tried the product key it told me it wasn't valid for that installation, thus, I loaded it without in hopes of later activating. LOL. The frickin' hoops I jump through for an extra GB of RAM . . .

Just for grins I stuck the 64-bit media back in from my unactivated 64-bit install's desktop, before I read your response. At that point the upgrade option was available, and when I typed my product key in it accepted it.

Absolutely ridiculous though. I know 64-bit is a niche OS but they could have at least given some basic instructions on how to get the dang thing installed.

So apparently, the issue is that I wasn't upgrading from XP64. But the upgrade media does work to upgrade 64-bit Vista to 64-bit Vista.

 

[Elstupido]

No such thing as "upgrade media". The media is all the same, and includes pretty much all versions (HP, Ultimate, business, etc.) of Vista, with the exception of 32 and 64 bit, which is different media. In other words if you have a Vista disc 32 or 64, your key number is what determines what version of Vista is installed. If you have an upgrade key either OEM or retail, then you will need to initially install vista 32 or 64, with your original key, without activating, then do another "upgrade" install on top of that unactivated version for a perfectly clean install. Many threads at different forums as to exactly how to do this.

You do the upgrade on your first install.

However according to the EULA, you must have a genuine license of a previous recent version, such as XP.

 

[QuixoticOne]

Originally posted by: Elstupido
No such thing as "upgrade media". The media is all the same, and includes pretty much all versions (HP, Ultimate, business, etc.) of Vista, with the exception of 32 and 64 bit, which is different media. In other words if you have a Vista disc 32 or 64, your key number is what determines what version of Vista is installed. If you have an upgrade key either OEM or retail, then you will need to initially install vista 32 or 64, with your original key, without activating, then do another "upgrade" install on top of that unactivated version for a perfectly clean install. Many threads at different forums as to exactly how to do this.

You do the upgrade on your first install.

However according to the EULA, you must have a genuine license of a previous recent version, such as XP.

That's what I was trying to point out in time to save him from doing a 2nd install of vista over vista to get the job done. Though that is the most common 'clean install with an upgrade key' choice, there is an easier way. Just install it once without specifying a key and then use the built in tools to set your product key and activate it.

Anyway, whatever works. I agree with the OP, it is a pain what obscure and non-intuitive hoops they make you jump through just to get Vista, especially Vista 64 installed.

They should be ashamed of themselves for not making the install process in general and the clean install process specifically MUCH easier, i.e. not wasting peoples time or encouraging them to 'upgrade' a system that all too often is probably full of malware or whatever. They should suggest a quick and easy clean install is the preferred option, followed by some kind of safe data import process if desired / possible.

 

[Elstupido]

QuixoticOne, I agree with this.

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: Elstupido
No such thing as "upgrade media". The media is all the same, and includes pretty much all versions (HP, Ultimate, business, etc.) of Vista, with the exception of 32 and 64 bit, which is different media. In other words if you have a Vista disc 32 or 64, your key number is what determines what version of Vista is installed. If you have an upgrade key either OEM or retail, then you will need to initially install vista 32 or 64, with your original key, without activating, then do another "upgrade" install on top of that unactivated version for a perfectly clean install. Many threads at different forums as to exactly how to do this.

You do the upgrade on your first install.

However according to the EULA, you must have a genuine license of a previous recent version, such as XP.

Interesting, I didn't know that. So if I bought a computer (say, off of EBay) that had a valid Vista license, but didn't come with a restore CD, I'd be able to re-install Vista if needed with my 32- or 64-bit disks?

As an aside, I did get it working finally. I tried the command lines in the 30-day eval version, but they didn't work. I could, however, upgrade the 64-bit eval using the license key. On the bright side it's much quicker than installing XP. 😉

 

[Pabster]

Install it without a product key first.

Then boot and "upgrade" that install with your key. Should work fine.