Where to get x64 Vista?

uncleezno

Member
Aug 3, 2006
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I'm a grad student, and I just purchased all the parts for my first build, including 4 gigs of RAM. To properly address it all, I want to get a 64-bit version of Vista. I've read lots of threads, and reviewed MSoft's own pages on version differences, but I can't seem to figure out if I can get a 64-bit DVD with an academic version.

Also, it looks like pricing for retail versions of x64 are only a bit higher than the academic ones - I don't need Ultimate, just home premium.

So, any suggestions on where to snag x64 vista for cheapest?

Thanks!
 

cprince

Senior member
May 8, 2007
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check with your university. They may have a deal with Microsoft to give out Vista at a discount(better than normal academic pricing) or free. My university gives Vista Enterprise and Ultimate 32/64 bit for free to students.
 

QuixoticOne

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2005
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http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia

That's the link where you can order a x64 disc.
(when I did it it cost about $10-$15, I forget,
shipped to anywhere in the USA via snail-mail).

You have to give it your existing Vista Key and
edition information as a prerequisite. I don't
know if there'd be any restriction about using
an academic or OEM or other class of original
key to obtain and be able to activate the
x64 edition. The disc they send you
is probably generic in that it'll contain
virtually all the VISTA install editions --
Home premium, Business, Ultimate, etc, and
you can install any of them as a trial, though
you can only activate the version that your
preexisting key authorizes.

That is the most common way for a 'cheap'
x64 upgrade if you already have some
x32 license/disc but were unable to get x64
media from your vendor. Most license keys
are usable with EITHER x32 or x64, your
choice.

Yes check your university software / book store
prices, a lot of time it's cheap or free for
academic prices, and there is no single
"academic price" it varies from institution to
institution, some are even free or like $15.

Of course being a student you do qualify
for the generic academic license so if you
do find a better deal online or from some
other university store or whatever you should
be able to get it from there instead given
your student credentials.

Also if you know someone already with the
x64 install disc for any retail or academic
version of vista you might just borrow / copy
it for your test / install; once you own a
x32 key you're typically fully licensed to
own and operate x64, it's just that they
don't by default give you the media, so
wherever / however you do get it is just
fine since you're already licensed to have it.

You might also check out certain CS classes
that have vista as a prerequisite, maybe you
can get it cheaper / free if you enroll in one
of those or at least you can get info from
the lab if they've had any known problems
with x64 activation / use on the academic
licenses etc.
 

QuixoticOne

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2005
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PS look also for closeout deals on VISTA soon;
the prices are usually far worse than academic,
but if your academic price options
don't seem good for whatever reason, it's
a fall back.

BestBuy recently had Vista Home Premium
Upgrade for $130 with included $50 gift
card so that basically made it $80ish if you
have other good uses for the gift card.

Amazon has similar deals lately, though not
quite as good when last I checked.

I think they're closing out the old original
Vista edition retail products because they'll
be unsellable within 6 weeks or so when
Vista SP1 comes out and thus the original
discs lacking integrated SP1 are obsolete.

Actually if you can be patient for a couple / few
weeks before ordering x64 discs you can
probably get one with SP1 final release
pre-integrated if you order a couple weeks
after the new SP1 stock comes in; it may
save you some time downloading all the patches and maybe
some installation headaches as well.

 

Cardio

Senior member
Jun 11, 2003
903
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This applies to any version of VISTA academic or OEM. Works fine. $9.95 with free shipping.
 

Aarondeep

Golden Member
Jan 26, 2000
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I ordered the 64bit DVD from the microsoft website. I had to use my Home Premium CD key for it to work. I tried to use my IBM Vista Business key and wasn't able to get it to work since it is an OEM copy.
Will the 64bit DVD they send me work? Anyone got any experience with this? From what I have read it seems like any Vista CD/DVD will work with any key and install the correct version automatically for you.
 

QuixoticOne

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2005
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I've never tried it with an OEM key.

I seem to recall hearing that the OEM key WILL work fine
with a RETAIL DVD based VISTA install, though, but
you may need to choose the option for PHONE ACTIVATION
if the "activate over the internet" doesn't work. Apparently
it works OK over the phone in that case, though.

What the 64 bit DVD really has is installable versions
of Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, and possibly a couple
of other variants (-N no media player?) on those.
I don't recall if it has Home Basic / Starter or not, sorry.

Yeah you can enter in your existing product key at the point
of booting the DVD and then it'll install the corresponding
version of VISTA.

Alternatively you can NOT specify a product key when it
prompts you and then you can CHOOSE what VISTA
edition to install in an unactivated trial mode for that
edition. At some point thereafter once you're
installed and running for some weeks you can choose to
specify the product key for that version and activate it
over the internet or phone at that time.