Vista OEM software, downgrade from 64 to 32 bit

Hi, I purchased two copies of vista, one 64 and one 32. The 32 bit was
installed on a different machine and the 64 bit on my own. Since then I have
found 64 bit to be rather incompatible with my needs.

I am wondering if I can reformat my computer with 64 bit on it, then install
the 32 bit software on it using the 64 bit product key so I don't use the
same key twice.

Since I only have OEM, I am wondering if my 64 bit key would be compatible
with a 32 bit copy of Vista. Anyone know? Thanks

Talek <Talek@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Hi, I purchased two copies of vista, one 64 and one 32. The 32 bit was
>installed on a different machine and the 64 bit on my own. Since then I have
>found 64 bit to be rather incompatible with my needs.
>
>I am wondering if I can reformat my computer with 64 bit on it, then install
>the 32 bit software on it using the 64 bit product key so I don't use the
>same key twice.

No.

>Since I only have OEM, I am wondering if my 64 bit key would be compatible
>with a 32 bit copy of Vista. Anyone know?

Same answer.

>Thanks

If you mean OEM software as in software that you purchased that was labeled
as OEM then yes you can, and Nonny is completely wrong.

If you mean OEM software as in software provided by Gateway, Dell, etc. then
no you cannot as the keys that they provide are "dead" keys.

"Talek" <Talek@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B0763D91-DEF1-4529-BA3E-B106F000218E@microsoft.com...
> Hi, I purchased two copies of vista, one 64 and one 32. The 32 bit was
> installed on a different machine and the 64 bit on my own. Since then I
> have
> found 64 bit to be rather incompatible with my needs.
>
> I am wondering if I can reformat my computer with 64 bit on it, then
> install
> the 32 bit software on it using the 64 bit product key so I don't use the
> same key twice.
>
> Since I only have OEM, I am wondering if my 64 bit key would be compatible
> with a 32 bit copy of Vista. Anyone know? Thanks

"Shane Nokes" <shane@hotwiredpc.nospam.cXoXm> wrote:

>If you mean OEM software as in software that you purchased that was labeled
>as OEM then yes you can, and Nonny is completely wrong.

WHOA! The OP wants to have TWO computers - each with Vista-32 on it
(using the same installation DVD), one using the 32-bit key, the other
using the 64-bit key.

Capice?

>
>If you mean OEM software as in software provided by Gateway, Dell, etc. then
>no you cannot as the keys that they provide are "dead" keys.
>
>"Talek" <Talek@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>news:B0763D91-DEF1-4529-BA3E-B106F000218E@microsoft.com...
>> Hi, I purchased two copies of vista, one 64 and one 32. The 32 bit was
>> installed on a different machine and the 64 bit on my own. Since then I
>> have
>> found 64 bit to be rather incompatible with my needs.
>>
>> I am wondering if I can reformat my computer with 64 bit on it, then
>> install
>> the 32 bit software on it using the 64 bit product key so I don't use the
>> same key twice.
>>
>> Since I only have OEM, I am wondering if my 64 bit key would be compatible
>> with a 32 bit copy of Vista. Anyone know? Thanks

How did you obtain the OEM software? If you purchased OEM packs from
someplace like NewEgg for your own use then be aware that the OEM (System
Builder) License is only for installing the software on a computer for sale
to a customer.

"Talek" <Talek@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B0763D91-DEF1-4529-BA3E-B106F000218E@microsoft.com...
> Hi, I purchased two copies of vista, one 64 and one 32. The 32 bit was
> installed on a different machine and the 64 bit on my own. Since then I
> have
> found 64 bit to be rather incompatible with my needs.
>
> I am wondering if I can reformat my computer with 64 bit on it, then
> install
> the 32 bit software on it using the 64 bit product key so I don't use the
> same key twice.
>
> Since I only have OEM, I am wondering if my 64 bit key would be compatible
> with a 32 bit copy of Vista. Anyone know? Thanks

Talek wrote:
> Hi, I purchased two copies of vista, one 64 and one 32. The 32 bit was
> installed on a different machine and the 64 bit on my own. Since then I have
> found 64 bit to be rather incompatible with my needs.
>
> I am wondering if I can reformat my computer with 64 bit on it, then install
> the 32 bit software on it using the 64 bit product key so I don't use the
> same key twice.
>
> Since I only have OEM, I am wondering if my 64 bit key would be compatible
> with a 32 bit copy of Vista. Anyone know? Thanks


No, the 64-bit Product Key wouldn't work with the 32-bit DVD.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
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safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

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killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

If it is from some vendor, Dell, HP, etc, use this:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783

The key provided on the computer is "fake" in that it has never been used.
Instead, vendors use two special files to license and activate your copy of
Vista. This procedure will simply move those two files to your re-install of
a different bitness. It still has the be the same machine since those files
are tied to that machine.



"Talek" <Talek@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B0763D91-DEF1-4529-BA3E-B106F000218E@microsoft.com...
> Hi, I purchased two copies of vista, one 64 and one 32. The 32 bit was
> installed on a different machine and the 64 bit on my own. Since then I
> have
> found 64 bit to be rather incompatible with my needs.
>
> I am wondering if I can reformat my computer with 64 bit on it, then
> install
> the 32 bit software on it using the 64 bit product key so I don't use the
> same key twice.
>
> Since I only have OEM, I am wondering if my 64 bit key would be compatible
> with a 32 bit copy of Vista. Anyone know? Thanks

Nope. The OEM product key is tied to one computer for the life of that
computer.
One OEM Product key, one installation; which can not be moved to another
computer.
--
Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia


"Talek" wrote:

> Hi, I purchased two copies of vista, one 64 and one 32. The 32 bit was
> installed on a different machine and the 64 bit on my own. Since then I have
> found 64 bit to be rather incompatible with my needs.
>
> I am wondering if I can reformat my computer with 64 bit on it, then install
> the 32 bit software on it using the 64 bit product key so I don't use the
> same key twice.
>
> Since I only have OEM, I am wondering if my 64 bit key would be compatible
> with a 32 bit copy of Vista. Anyone know? Thanks

Not true at all Mick.

The OEM licensing restrictions for Vista have changed.

The only case that what you are stating is true is when it comes to the
"big" OEM players.

Normal purchasable OEM licenses can be re-assigned.

Read the Vista EULA.

"Mick Murphy" <MickMurphy@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:203E629D-02D3-4B99-BF33-4A6E88E5982F@microsoft.com...
> Nope. The OEM product key is tied to one computer for the life of that
> computer.
> One OEM Product key, one installation; which can not be moved to another
> computer.
> --
> Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia
>
>
> "Talek" wrote:
>
>> Hi, I purchased two copies of vista, one 64 and one 32. The 32 bit was
>> installed on a different machine and the 64 bit on my own. Since then I
>> have
>> found 64 bit to be rather incompatible with my needs.
>>
>> I am wondering if I can reformat my computer with 64 bit on it, then
>> install
>> the 32 bit software on it using the 64 bit product key so I don't use the
>> same key twice.
>>
>> Since I only have OEM, I am wondering if my 64 bit key would be
>> compatible
>> with a 32 bit copy of Vista. Anyone know? Thanks

"Shane Nokes" <shane@hotwiredpc.nospam.cXoXm> wrote:

>Not true at all Mick.
>
>The OEM licensing restrictions for Vista have changed.
>
>The only case that what you are stating is true is when it comes to the
>"big" OEM players.
>
>Normal purchasable OEM licenses can be re-assigned.

<sigh> This guy is trying to use the same copy of Windows on two
computers. Notice that he doesn't want to use the same key twice.

Am I the only one who sees that?

>Read the Vista EULA.
>
>"Mick Murphy" <MickMurphy@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>news:203E629D-02D3-4B99-BF33-4A6E88E5982F@microsoft.com...
>> Nope. The OEM product key is tied to one computer for the life of that
>> computer.
>> One OEM Product key, one installation; which can not be moved to another
>> computer.
>> --
>> Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia
>>
>>
>> "Talek" wrote:
>>
>>> Hi, I purchased two copies of vista, one 64 and one 32. The 32 bit was
>>> installed on a different machine and the 64 bit on my own. Since then I
>>> have
>>> found 64 bit to be rather incompatible with my needs.
>>>
>>> I am wondering if I can reformat my computer with 64 bit on it, then
>>> install
>>> the 32 bit software on it using the 64 bit product key so I don't use the
>>> same key twice.
>>>
>>> Since I only have OEM, I am wondering if my 64 bit key would be
>>> compatible
>>> with a 32 bit copy of Vista. Anyone know? Thanks