Made Big mistake need ideas.

**Stealthyking** · 03-31-11, 04:20 PM

So today, as im purchasing things for my new comp, i remembered i had that student discount thing for windows 7, i was like Oh ok cool let me go do that so for the new comp i can just do a fresh install. So i go on the discount site and im like ok i want the 64bit for the new comp, Select, Moving along go to checkout, Purchase, And somewhere down the line i missed the "Upgrade" part. So now im stuck with a fucking upgrade. Im like ok thats fine ill just upgrade this OS now and transfer it all over later...Well considering i thought i was buying a whole new OS i purchased the 64bit, WELL now its an upgrade and im running 32bit vista.....SO obviously i cant upgrade...There are a few things i COULD do, such as download and install vista 64bit then upgrade from there, but will that run me into problem with microsoft picking up on a non legit key then all of a sudden a legit key?

Can anyone give me an ideas or am i just royally Fucked?

**Savage** · 03-31-11, 04:25 PM

Well, 32 bit is trash, it can olny use 4 gb ram including vid card memory. When, I reinstalled vista they didnt ask me for the key till about 15 minutes on the home page also, so.

**Stealthyking** · 03-31-11, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by Savage

Well, 32 bit is trash, it can olny use 4 gb ram including vid card memory. When, I reinstalled vista they didnt ask me for the key till about 15 minutes on the home page also, so.

Well ya i kno 32bit is trash, hence the wanting to purchase 64bit, But i mistakenly misread the page thinking i was buying the whole thing when i wasnt, Now i cant upgrade unless i do what i said which id prefer not to depending on the outcome, AND there is no returns obviously.

**Imisnew2** · 03-31-11, 04:28 PM

Your vista key for 32bit should also work for 64bit, as long as the level is the same (Home Pro, Enterprise, whatever the hell else).
Although, I'd call Microsoft and ask for a refund, explain my situation, and get a normal Windows7 key.

**Stealthyking** · 03-31-11, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Imisnew2

Your vista key for 32bit should also work for 64bit, as long as the level is the same (Home Pro, Enterprise, whatever the hell else).
Although, I'd call Microsoft and ask for a refund, explain my situation, and get a normal Windows7 key.

Ah ok ty!! ima try ur idea with the product key. I wouldnt have a problem calling microsoft except that would totally defeat the purpose of what i was originally going to do...

**nihilanth311** · 03-31-11, 04:38 PM

Actually I think on vista they have separate keys for 32/64 - my legit copy of vista ultimate has two discs and two keys. Windows 7 the keys are interchangeable as you state (as long as the flavor is correct).

I don't know about the distinction between oem/retail keys for vista or 7, but back in XP days they were separated that way as well.

Advice: obviously try to get your money back or swap it for a full version (you'll pay more). If that doesn't work you will have to "find" a legit disc to install vista x64 then upgrade it to 7. Or, (I'm not aware of this either but I'm out of the game now) google a way to trick the x64 7 upgrade to not require an existing installation on your hard drive (you lose all data and applications, but that's nearly a given at this point).

**Phyrelight** · 03-31-11, 04:51 PM

please see my PM, there is no need to take the software back. You signed a clause when you bought the upgrade software saying you have a current valid windows OS to upgrade from. The upgrade disk will not ask for a key or check your current install if you tell it to do a fresh install. It will wipe the drive and install windows 7. The upgrade license only cares that you have a current windows OS which you do.

I have installed the student upgrade windows 7 home professional for several people here at work (we have several student workers) and never has it asked for an OLD OS serial key or checked the drive to see if there is an OS already installed. The licensing is done by the institute selling the upgrade disk. Here at the university the computer store point blank asks you "This is an upgrade install, do you currently have a Microsoft operating system on your PC?" You answer "yes" They ask, "are you a student", you say "yes" they ask "is this software for you or are you buying it for someone else?" You say "its for me". They advise you that you can only buy one copy of the student upgrade ($37 by the way for windows home premium either 32bit or 64bit) and have you sign a document and you are out the door.

**ninja|oaklandr** · 03-31-11, 04:55 PM

I installed a W7 trial version from scratch and entered my upgrade key when I registered. It worked just fine. Do you know anyone with a full version?

I just looked at my order and I bought a key that says "Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Upgrade 32/64-bit".

**Phyrelight** · 03-31-11, 04:59 PM

yea only catch I have found buying the upgrade keys through the student program is that it's OEM and its either 32bit or 64bit. You have to decided ahead of time and the keys aren't interchangeable. But for $37 a single install is just fine.

**Kanati** · 03-31-11, 05:53 PM

Worst case scenario, give me a pm. I have 8 vista keys I haven't burned and probably won't burn any time in the near future. I'll just give you one if need be.