okay, I have a big problem here...

Anarchy101 · 03-02-2008, 06:06 PM

I'm a PC gamer, sometimes I feel like i'm part of a dying breed lately (which is really disappointing from my perspective if you've been playing video games as long as I have). What I mean is that it seems over the last 5 years or so PC gaming has really been dying out, mostly at the hands of microsoft to be brutally honest, with them being marketing snakes and all....but anyway to my point.

I bought Windows Vista home premium about a month ago, at it's whopping retail price of $250. I wanted the ultimate edition but $400....no thanks (no wonder people pirate windows so often with microsofts software being so overpriced it's literally absurd) but aside from the hefty pricetag it's a pretty good OS so far...I just have one problem.

I just built a new machine about 3 months ago, mostly for gaming, so I need alot of memory, When I first built it I only used 2GB, and at the time I had XP installed and never really considered needing more for a while. I would have just stayed with XP, but being a gamer and all and needing directx 10 support (and basically vista support in general in some cases)...I was forced to upgrade to Vista to keep up. So I picked up the best affordable version of Vista I could find, home premium 32-bit.

32-bit being the problem. I wanted the 64-bit edition to begin with but was skeptical about the driver/software support for it, didn't think I would even need or notice the 64-bit features, and NOT ONE retail store seems to have the 64-bit edition...they all sell 32-bit, so that's what I bought.

So I just bought an extra two 1 gig sticks of ram, because with games like Crysis, you need 4 gigs these days, 2 just doesn't cut it anymore. Plus my motherboard supports up to 8 and I was only using two slots so I figured why not, it's cheap.

And to my surprise 32-bit Vista doesn't recognize more then 3GB....

This is a problem for me because not only do I need that extra gig but I need dual channel also. And I can't get dual channel with odd numbers. It may seem like OCD to the average PC user, but any PC gamer knows they need every last ounce of performance out of their machine or their gaming is gonna be sluggish...

So my problem is I blindly bought the 32-bit version of Vista...for $250....never knowing or even thinking that the OS of the future had a memory limit of only 3GB. Pretty ridiculous...

And now there's nothing I can do. I can't return it to the store... I can't sell it off or anything, the serial has already been used and it's registered...it's basically useless and i'm stuck with it.

Can't microsoft give me a 64-bit upgrade disc for even a small fee via their site or maybe over the phone if they know my situation?

It just really pisses me off that i'm stuck with a $250 OS that won't use more then 3GB of memory unless I buy a 64-bit copy online for probably even more money then I spent on this one. Not fair =/

oldmn · 03-02-2008, 06:26 PM

Here is Vista ultimate 64 Bit OEM.

Anarchy101 · 03-02-2008, 06:29 PM

But that's nearly the same cost as this version x.x..there has to be another option =/..I just don't have the money to spend on something like that after already buying this..

oldmn · 03-02-2008, 06:48 PM

If you are wanting to use more than 3 gig of your memory your going to have to Spend the money.
Maybe you can find someone willing to buy the other from you.
Microsoft allows you to transfer registration if you have regestered it.

Quote:

16. TRANSFER TO A THIRD PARTY.
a. Software Other Than Windows Anytime Upgrade. The first user of the software may
make a one time transfer of the software, and this agreement, directly to a third party. The first
user must uninstall the software before transferring it separately from the device. The first user
may not retain any copies.
b. Windows Anytime Upgrade Software. You may transfer the software directly to a third
party only with the licensed device. You may not keep any copies of the software or any earlier
version.
c. Other Requirements. Before any permitted transfer, the other party must agree that this
agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software. The transfer must include the proof
of license.

This taken from the licence agreement.
http://download.microsoft.com/docume...a3d405c074.pdf

l_b_rex · 03-04-2008, 10:22 AM

FYI: In a couple weeks you will notice that windows vista 32-bit will display the correct amount of memory in the computer (SP1) correction, however we were told that only 3.33 will be utilized still. Just so you know.

But why not invest in a video card???

If you are using it for gaming it sounds like a good investment and a 512MB card will be sufficient for any game I know of.

68Yooper · 03-04-2008, 10:45 AM

I don't remember where I saw this but I believe there is both 32 & 64 bit versions of Vista on the DVD. Somewhere on Microsoft site you can request a code to unlock the 64 bit version.

If memory serves this only works with full retail versions and not with OEM or Upgrades.

Found the link:http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...ons/64bit.mspx

dai · 03-04-2008, 11:58 AM

the same key is used for both 32 and 64,but you can only have installed one or the other not both
you have to remove 32 before installing 64 unless you have purchased 2 keys

echidnablade · 03-04-2008, 08:32 PM

All versions of Vista are included on the DVD, the key is what decides which version and features are unlocked if I remember from when I was using it before my computer died. I had a business version of it and when I installed the retail version it gave me the option for 32 and 64 bit. I also uninstalled the OS and reinstalled it again and it gave me the option for both again. So you should just have to remove the 32 bit version and reinstall picking the 64 bit option using the same key. Assuming it still works the way it did when Vista was first released.... Vista 32 bit has a 3.3ish limit on how much the OS can use and as far as I know I've never seen a way to get around the limitation. I also game quite heavily with my system and I've never needed more than 3 GB in the system to run a game smoothly, including Crysis...but that wasn't DirectX 10 so your situation maybe different. Good luck. :)

03-02-2008, 06:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Anarchy101 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: None of your business Posts: 122 OS: Vista 64 bit	okay, I have a big problem here... I'm a PC gamer, sometimes I feel like i'm part of a dying breed lately (which is really disappointing from my perspective if you've been playing video games as long as I have). What I mean is that it seems over the last 5 years or so PC gaming has really been dying out, mostly at the hands of microsoft to be brutally honest, with them being marketing snakes and all....but anyway to my point. I bought Windows Vista home premium about a month ago, at it's whopping retail price of $250. I wanted the ultimate edition but $400....no thanks (no wonder people pirate windows so often with microsofts software being so overpriced it's literally absurd) but aside from the hefty pricetag it's a pretty good OS so far...I just have one problem. I just built a new machine about 3 months ago, mostly for gaming, so I need alot of memory, When I first built it I only used 2GB, and at the time I had XP installed and never really considered needing more for a while. I would have just stayed with XP, but being a gamer and all and needing directx 10 support (and basically vista support in general in some cases)...I was forced to upgrade to Vista to keep up. So I picked up the best affordable version of Vista I could find, home premium 32-bit. 32-bit being the problem. I wanted the 64-bit edition to begin with but was skeptical about the driver/software support for it, didn't think I would even need or notice the 64-bit features, and NOT ONE retail store seems to have the 64-bit edition...they all sell 32-bit, so that's what I bought. So I just bought an extra two 1 gig sticks of ram, because with games like Crysis, you need 4 gigs these days, 2 just doesn't cut it anymore. Plus my motherboard supports up to 8 and I was only using two slots so I figured why not, it's cheap. And to my surprise 32-bit Vista doesn't recognize more then 3GB.... This is a problem for me because not only do I need that extra gig but I need dual channel also. And I can't get dual channel with odd numbers. It may seem like OCD to the average PC user, but any PC gamer knows they need every last ounce of performance out of their machine or their gaming is gonna be sluggish... So my problem is I blindly bought the 32-bit version of Vista...for $250....never knowing or even thinking that the OS of the future had a memory limit of only 3GB. Pretty ridiculous... And now there's nothing I can do. I can't return it to the store... I can't sell it off or anything, the serial has already been used and it's registered...it's basically useless and i'm stuck with it. Can't microsoft give me a 64-bit upgrade disc for even a small fee via their site or maybe over the phone if they know my situation? It just really pisses me off that i'm stuck with a $250 OS that won't use more then 3GB of memory unless I buy a 64-bit copy online for probably even more money then I spent on this one. Not fair =/ __________________ Intel Core2 Duo e6750 conroe@ 2.6ghz - BFGtech Geforce 9800 GX2 - 4GB Kingston HyperX DDR2 800 - Asus P5N-E 650i SLi mobo - Antec Neo Power Blue 650w - Sound Blaster X-fi Xtreme gamer - 2x 160GB Western Digital IDE HDD. Don't ask me if I have the latest drivers when you already know the answer :P

03-02-2008, 06:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
oldmn Hardware Tech Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Gig Harbor Wa Posts: 2,137 OS: XP Pro SP3 X 3 My System	Re: okay, I have a big problem here... Here is Vista ultimate 64 Bit OEM. __________________ AVG \| MEMTEST86 \| Zone Alarm \| XXCLONE \| Adaware \| Beyond Compare \| Everest If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Sorry no PM's for problems.

03-02-2008, 06:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
Anarchy101 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: None of your business Posts: 122 OS: Vista 64 bit	Re: okay, I have a big problem here... But that's nearly the same cost as this version x.x..there has to be another option =/..I just don't have the money to spend on something like that after already buying this.. __________________ Intel Core2 Duo e6750 conroe@ 2.6ghz - BFGtech Geforce 9800 GX2 - 4GB Kingston HyperX DDR2 800 - Asus P5N-E 650i SLi mobo - Antec Neo Power Blue 650w - Sound Blaster X-fi Xtreme gamer - 2x 160GB Western Digital IDE HDD. Don't ask me if I have the latest drivers when you already know the answer :P

03-04-2008, 10:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
l_b_rex Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 410 OS: xp sp2	Re: okay, I have a big problem here... FYI: In a couple weeks you will notice that windows vista 32-bit will display the correct amount of memory in the computer (SP1) correction, however we were told that only 3.33 will be utilized still. Just so you know. But why not invest in a video card??? If you are using it for gaming it sounds like a good investment and a 512MB card will be sufficient for any game I know of. Last edited by l_b_rex : 03-04-2008 at 10:27 AM.

03-04-2008, 10:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
68Yooper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chicago metro Posts: 4 OS: Vista Ultimate	Re: okay, I have a big problem here... I don't remember where I saw this but I believe there is both 32 & 64 bit versions of Vista on the DVD. Somewhere on Microsoft site you can request a code to unlock the 64 bit version. If memory serves this only works with full retail versions and not with OEM or Upgrades. Found the link:http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...ons/64bit.mspx

03-04-2008, 11:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 41,784 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: okay, I have a big problem here... the same key is used for both 32 and 64,but you can only have installed one or the other not both you have to remove 32 before installing 64 unless you have purchased 2 keys __________________

03-04-2008, 08:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
echidnablade Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 21 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2	Re: okay, I have a big problem here... All versions of Vista are included on the DVD, the key is what decides which version and features are unlocked if I remember from when I was using it before my computer died. I had a business version of it and when I installed the retail version it gave me the option for 32 and 64 bit. I also uninstalled the OS and reinstalled it again and it gave me the option for both again. So you should just have to remove the 32 bit version and reinstall picking the 64 bit option using the same key. Assuming it still works the way it did when Vista was first released.... Vista 32 bit has a 3.3ish limit on how much the OS can use and as far as I know I've never seen a way to get around the limitation. I also game quite heavily with my system and I've never needed more than 3 GB in the system to run a game smoothly, including Crysis...but that wasn't DirectX 10 so your situation maybe different. Good luck. :)