Convert new HP 32bit Vista home premium to Vista 64bit Ultimate

[Guest Chris Cowles]

I just bought a new HP a6350z AMD dual-core computer with 32bit Vista Home

Premium. I own a full retail license for Ultimate which is installed on an

older computer. I plan to remove it (or whatever's necessary to free the

license) so I can install the 64bit ultimate license on the new HP.

 

How disruptive is that? The new computer is almost unchanged from getting it

out of the box. I uninstalled Symantec AV and installed Windows OneCare for

which I already have a license. I installed the driver for my wireless HP

AIO c7820 which HP describes as being compatible with Vista 64. Not much

else is personalized and I haven't invested much time in it.

 

Am I basically starting from scratch? Or will existing programs that are

compatible simply work after the 64bit installation?

 

Thanks in advance for your time.

 

Chris Cowles

Gainesville, FL

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Convert new HP 32bit Vista home premium to Vista 64bit Ultimate

 

You will need the 64bit versions of the drivers and you must do a custom

install, meaning you will have to reinstall your apps, files, and settings.

Make sure that the drivers and utilities cd from HP contains the x64

drivers. If not, download the x64 drivers and utilities from HP and burn

them to a cd.

 

There is no upgrade path from any x86 to any other x64 version of Windows so

you cannot perform an upgrade. You can use Windows Easy Transfer to save

the files and settings from and restore after x64 is installed. WET is both

x86 and x64 compatible. Have you asked HP about the warranty implications?

 

Having said all that, not all dual core processors are 64bit processors. If

you have a Core Duo you cannot run x64. If it is a Core 2 Duo you can. All

AMD64 cpus are 64bit processors.

 

"Chris Cowles" <NoSpam@For.me> wrote in message

news:eR1OVWpdIHA.4728@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>I just bought a new HP a6350z AMD dual-core computer with 32bit Vista Home

>Premium. I own a full retail license for Ultimate which is installed on an

>older computer. I plan to remove it (or whatever's necessary to free the

>license) so I can install the 64bit ultimate license on the new HP.

>

> How disruptive is that? The new computer is almost unchanged from getting

> it out of the box. I uninstalled Symantec AV and installed Windows OneCare

> for which I already have a license. I installed the driver for my wireless

> HP AIO c7820 which HP describes as being compatible with Vista 64. Not

> much else is personalized and I haven't invested much time in it.

>

> Am I basically starting from scratch? Or will existing programs that are

> compatible simply work after the 64bit installation?

>

> Thanks in advance for your time.

>

> Chris Cowles

> Gainesville, FL

[Guest Chris Cowles]

Re: Convert new HP 32bit Vista home premium to Vista 64bit Ultimate

 

"Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message

news:ekAtAcpdIHA.3532@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> Have you asked HP about the warranty implications?

 

I have not but the system was available for purchase as either 32 or 64. I

doubt there's a difference except the OS and drivers.

> All AMD64 cpus are 64bit processors.

 

It's an AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5600+ 2.8 GHz. That will do,

right?

 

I believe I will benefit from 64-bit and the dual-core CPU because I often

have multiple applications running concurrently. What I'm not looking

forward to is the time required for a full reinstall.

 

Is dual-boot installation a practical approach? Can I maintain the existing

32-bit home premium and install the 64-bit next to it, using the same

partition for data on both? I saw some vague references here to MSKBs but no

citations.

 

TIA

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Convert new HP 32bit Vista home premium to Vista 64bit Ultimate

 

The problem with warranties is that HP support may demand that you return

the system to the factory configuration before they will address a software

support issue. You really need to ask them. Warranties are not done by

logic but by the written warranty terms and conditions. Ask.

 

Dual booting with Vista x86 and Vista x64 is fine since you have a separate

product key for x64. You will need to boot the computer with the x64 dvd

since you cannot run the x64 Setup from the x86 desktop. A Custom

installation takes only a few minutes. It is an upgrade that takes a lot of

time.

 

Each Vista will be able to see the other's drive and a common data drive is

also no problem.

 

The only issue you may have that I can think of is memory. If the HP only

has 2GB consider increasing it to 4GB for Vista Ultimate x64. When I ran on

2GB I had constant disk drive activity (paging). Now that I have a lot more

ram I can see that around 3GB is the sweet spot for VU x64. That is

actually a good thing because you want as much running in memory as you can

in order not to have to use the hard drive so much (hard drive access is

much slower than memory access). If you can't do the extra ram don't worry

too much about it, but anything less than 2GB simply is not enough for

Ultimate x64. In fact when you choose VU x64 in HP's configurator for a new

machine, a message displays that HP highly recommends 4GB for that option.

I agree with them.

 

 

"Chris Cowles" <NoSpam@For.me> wrote in message

news:OVESVipdIHA.4880@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message

> news:ekAtAcpdIHA.3532@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>

>> Have you asked HP about the warranty implications?

>

> I have not but the system was available for purchase as either 32 or 64.

> I doubt there's a difference except the OS and drivers.

>

>> All AMD64 cpus are 64bit processors.

>

> It's an AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5600+ 2.8 GHz. That will do,

> right?

>

> I believe I will benefit from 64-bit and the dual-core CPU because I often

> have multiple applications running concurrently. What I'm not looking

> forward to is the time required for a full reinstall.

>

> Is dual-boot installation a practical approach? Can I maintain the

> existing 32-bit home premium and install the 64-bit next to it, using the

> same partition for data on both? I saw some vague references here to MSKBs

> but no citations.

>

> TIA

[Guest Chris Cowles]

Re: Convert new HP 32bit Vista home premium to Vista 64bit Ultimate

 

I'm not worried about the software support issues. I'm probably better than

most techs I'll get on the phone and I didn't get the extended warranty.

 

I have 4 GB of RAM. Vista32 only sees 3.5 GB. I assume Vista64 will see all

4, less whatever's used by the video card, if any?

 

Programs: I'm under the impression that each application/package (e.g.,

Office) must be installed separately for each OS. Assuming so, do I end up

with duplication of files? Or, if I just let it install to the same

directory, it won't duplicate what already exists? Are there 64-bit versions

of programs that will overwrite 32-bit versions, disabling the 32-bit

version? (Or vice versa?)

 

Is there any advantage to having programs in a separate partition? Those

that came with the HP are already on C: and I can't reinstall some of them.

(The DVD viewer, for one.) The reason is the only copy I have is on the

recovery disk. I don't think I can reinstall it selectively. Since HP

already installed programs on C: for Vista32, I see no reason to change.

 

I'll may create a separate partition for data. I can resize the existing

partition and create a new one with the system management tools, I think.

What, if any, is the advantage of doing so? I've read somewhere that putting

the page file on a separate drive improves performance, but does that really

mean separate hard drives, vs separate partitions?

 

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

Chris Cowles

Gainesville, FL

 

 

"Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message

news:AEB58D11-6DA8-43B3-A59E-C2420B1CCDB2@microsoft.com...

> The problem with warranties is that HP support may demand that you return

> the system to the factory configuration before they will address a

> software support issue. You really need to ask them. Warranties are not

> done by logic but by the written warranty terms and conditions. Ask.

>

> Dual booting with Vista x86 and Vista x64 is fine since you have a

> separate product key for x64. You will need to boot the computer with the

> x64 dvd since you cannot run the x64 Setup from the x86 desktop. A Custom

> installation takes only a few minutes. It is an upgrade that takes a lot

> of time.

>

> Each Vista will be able to see the other's drive and a common data drive

> is also no problem.

>

> The only issue you may have that I can think of is memory. If the HP only

> has 2GB consider increasing it to 4GB for Vista Ultimate x64. When I ran

> on 2GB I had constant disk drive activity (paging). Now that I have a lot

> more ram I can see that around 3GB is the sweet spot for VU x64. That is

> actually a good thing because you want as much running in memory as you

> can in order not to have to use the hard drive so much (hard drive access

> is much slower than memory access). If you can't do the extra ram don't

> worry too much about it, but anything less than 2GB simply is not enough

> for Ultimate x64. In fact when you choose VU x64 in HP's configurator for

> a new machine, a message displays that HP highly recommends 4GB for that

> option. I agree with them.

>

>

> "Chris Cowles" <NoSpam@For.me> wrote in message

> news:OVESVipdIHA.4880@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message

>> news:ekAtAcpdIHA.3532@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>

>>> Have you asked HP about the warranty implications?

>>

>> I have not but the system was available for purchase as either 32 or 64.

>> I doubt there's a difference except the OS and drivers.

>>

>>> All AMD64 cpus are 64bit processors.

>>

>> It's an AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5600+ 2.8 GHz. That will do,

>> right?

>>

>> I believe I will benefit from 64-bit and the dual-core CPU because I

>> often have multiple applications running concurrently. What I'm not

>> looking forward to is the time required for a full reinstall.

>>

>> Is dual-boot installation a practical approach? Can I maintain the

>> existing 32-bit home premium and install the 64-bit next to it, using the

>> same partition for data on both? I saw some vague references here to

>> MSKBs but no citations.

>>

>> TIA

>

[Guest John Barnes]

Re: Convert new HP 32bit Vista home premium to Vista 64bit Ultimate

 

> Programs: I'm under the impression that each application/package (e.g.,

> Office) must be installed separately for each OS. Assuming so, do I end up

> with duplication of files? Or, if I just let it install to the same

> directory, it won't duplicate what already exists? Are there 64-bit

> versions of programs that will overwrite 32-bit versions, disabling the

> 32-bit version? (Or vice versa?)

 

You will have separate program files for each install, but you can share the

data created between the systems so you don't have to manually keep in sync.

>

>

> I'll may create a separate partition for data. I can resize the existing

> partition and create a new one with the system management tools, I think.

> What, if any, is the advantage of doing so? I've read somewhere that

> putting the page file on a separate drive improves performance, but does

> that really mean separate hard drives, vs separate partitions?

>

 

You have somewhat limited ability to shrink partitions and create a new one

in Vista. You can help by getting rid of certain files before a defrag and

see if an otherwise unmovable file was at the end of the partition.

Separate drives can be used and occasionally benefit the pagefile placement,

but separate partitions on the same hd will degrade performance with your

heads thrashing due to the increased movement necessary to use the other

partition

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Convert new HP 32bit Vista home premium to Vista 64bit Ultimate

 

Vista x64 will report all 4GB on the system properties page and when you

type "winver" in Start/Search. Vista x86 will report less than 4GB on both.

When SP1 is applied to Vista x86 it will start reporting 4GB on the system

properties page but continue to report less in winver.

 

You will install programs for each OS the same as if each OS were a

different computer. They will not be installed on a common Program Files

folder or on the same volume. If VHP x86 is on drive 1 all programs will

install in the Program Files folder on drive 1. If VU x64 is on drive 2,

32bit programs will install in the Program Files (x86) folder on drive 2 and

64bit programs will install in the Program Files folder on drive 2.

 

32bit programs run natively on 64bit processors so there is little need for

64bit versions of programs like Office.

 

You need to think of the two operating systems as separate computers. When

you install a program on VHP the installer writes many entries to VHP's

registry. VHP's registry cannot be used by VU. Likewise when you are

running VU and install a program the installer will write many entries to

VU's registry. Keep things simple and think of the two operating systems as

different computers. While you are running VHP don't worry about VU and

vice versa.

 

Do not try to play around with the page files now. While they could share a

common drive the days are past when you could gain much by manipulating the

page file. The page file manager is sophisticated and the hard drive

capacity in modern computers makes most of the reasons for playing around

with the page file pointless. Let the OS manage the page file. The answer

to heavy page file usage if you experience it is simply having ample memory.

Your 4GB is ample for VU x64. A ReadyBoost flash drive is also a very good

tool for handling page file usage.

 

You are trying to anticipate a lot of things that just won't matter. Just

set things up according to their defaults and use the system for awhile

before you start tweaking. You have to know what you have before trying to

customize.

 

Forget about the way things were done back in the days of Win95 and Win98.

Computers have changed radically with regards to resources. What we did to

improve performance on Win95 machines is counterproductive now. Hardware

and software vendors have incorporated features to address those old

concerns.

 

Learn how Vista works, don't try to turn Vista into something you got used

to years ago. Vista belongs to the NT branch of Windows and the NT branch

handles a lot of things differently from the DOS branch (Win9x/ME).

 

"Chris Cowles" <NoSpam@For.Me> wrote in message

news:O9LBM2udIHA.4164@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> I'm not worried about the software support issues. I'm probably better

> than most techs I'll get on the phone and I didn't get the extended

> warranty.

>

> I have 4 GB of RAM. Vista32 only sees 3.5 GB. I assume Vista64 will see

> all 4, less whatever's used by the video card, if any?

>

> Programs: I'm under the impression that each application/package (e.g.,

> Office) must be installed separately for each OS. Assuming so, do I end up

> with duplication of files? Or, if I just let it install to the same

> directory, it won't duplicate what already exists? Are there 64-bit

> versions of programs that will overwrite 32-bit versions, disabling the

> 32-bit version? (Or vice versa?)

>

> Is there any advantage to having programs in a separate partition? Those

> that came with the HP are already on C: and I can't reinstall some of

> them. (The DVD viewer, for one.) The reason is the only copy I have is on

> the recovery disk. I don't think I can reinstall it selectively. Since HP

> already installed programs on C: for Vista32, I see no reason to change.

>

> I'll may create a separate partition for data. I can resize the existing

> partition and create a new one with the system management tools, I think.

> What, if any, is the advantage of doing so? I've read somewhere that

> putting the page file on a separate drive improves performance, but does

> that really mean separate hard drives, vs separate partitions?

>

> Thanks in advance for the help.

>

> Chris Cowles

> Gainesville, FL

>

>

> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message

> news:AEB58D11-6DA8-43B3-A59E-C2420B1CCDB2@microsoft.com...

>> The problem with warranties is that HP support may demand that you return

>> the system to the factory configuration before they will address a

>> software support issue. You really need to ask them. Warranties are not

>> done by logic but by the written warranty terms and conditions. Ask.

>>

>> Dual booting with Vista x86 and Vista x64 is fine since you have a

>> separate product key for x64. You will need to boot the computer with

>> the x64 dvd since you cannot run the x64 Setup from the x86 desktop. A

>> Custom installation takes only a few minutes. It is an upgrade that

>> takes a lot of time.

>>

>> Each Vista will be able to see the other's drive and a common data drive

>> is also no problem.

>>

>> The only issue you may have that I can think of is memory. If the HP

>> only has 2GB consider increasing it to 4GB for Vista Ultimate x64. When

>> I ran on 2GB I had constant disk drive activity (paging). Now that I

>> have a lot more ram I can see that around 3GB is the sweet spot for VU

>> x64. That is actually a good thing because you want as much running in

>> memory as you can in order not to have to use the hard drive so much

>> (hard drive access is much slower than memory access). If you can't do

>> the extra ram don't worry too much about it, but anything less than 2GB

>> simply is not enough for Ultimate x64. In fact when you choose VU x64 in

>> HP's configurator for a new machine, a message displays that HP highly

>> recommends 4GB for that option. I agree with them.

>>

>>

>> "Chris Cowles" <NoSpam@For.me> wrote in message

>> news:OVESVipdIHA.4880@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message

>>> news:ekAtAcpdIHA.3532@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>

>>>> Have you asked HP about the warranty implications?

>>>

>>> I have not but the system was available for purchase as either 32 or 64.

>>> I doubt there's a difference except the OS and drivers.

>>>

>>>> All AMD64 cpus are 64bit processors.

>>>

>>> It's an AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5600+ 2.8 GHz. That will

>>> do, right?

>>>

>>> I believe I will benefit from 64-bit and the dual-core CPU because I

>>> often have multiple applications running concurrently. What I'm not

>>> looking forward to is the time required for a full reinstall.

>>>

>>> Is dual-boot installation a practical approach? Can I maintain the

>>> existing 32-bit home premium and install the 64-bit next to it, using

>>> the same partition for data on both? I saw some vague references here to

>>> MSKBs but no citations.

>>>

>>> TIA

>>

>

[Guest Chris Cowles]

Re: Convert new HP 32bit Vista home premium to Vista 64bit Ultimate

 

Well, this experiment succeeded in proving to me that I cannot upgrade

the computer I bought from VHP32 to VU64. I thought it could but

apparently it can't. At least the hardware I got can't, even though it

might be theoretically possible. When VU64 install completes, I

consistently get a BSOD on the second reboot. The page fault contains

nothing useful to me - just a memory address but no reference to

drivers, etc.

 

I called HP and they offered no help, of course. I didn't expect help

but hoped they would say definitively that the hardware (a6350z) would

or would not support 64-bit. I went back to the web page to simulate

buying it again and find that x64 is not an option. That's not

defiinitve that it's not possible with this mobo, but suggests so.

 

I've got an RMA on the box and ordered a different model. The new

m9100t with is sold with VHP64 at no extra cost above the 32bit

version. At least this way I know that 64bit works. Can I then do an

anytime upgrade from VHP64 to VU64, by entering my key? Assuming so, a

benefit of that approach is I get to keep the DVD stuff that comes

with VHP, that is absent from WU.

 

I discovered last night a reason I definitely want VU, not VHP. After

completing the VHP32 tweaking, I disconnected the mouse, keyboard and

monitor, set the new box in a corner with a USB wireless adapter

plugged in, and tried to RDP to it. No dice. VHP includes Remote

Assistance but not Remote Desktop.

 

A positive outcome of this is that the new box is actually cheaper

than the previous, and has a better video card and larger hard drive.

The AMD CPU was 2.8GHz and the new Intel is 2.3, but I don't know if

those numbers are directly related. I gave up 1 GB of RAM compared to

the earlier box but figure I can add RAM easily in the future.

 

I was going to ask questions about the drive 1/drive 2 discussion

below but, if I can use the anytime upgrade, it won't be a dual-boot

install.

 

Thanks to the assistance.

--

Chris Cowles

Gainesville, FL

 

 

"Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message

news:DFBF1A25-D19C-4141-8B44-E119E1A0178B@microsoft.com...

> You will install programs for each OS the same as if each OS were a

> different computer. They will not be installed on a common Program

> Files folder or on the same volume. If VHP x86 is on drive 1 all

> programs will install in the Program Files folder on drive 1. If VU

> x64 is on drive 2, 32bit programs will install in the Program Files

> (x86) folder on drive 2 and 64bit programs will install in the

> Program Files folder on drive 2.

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Convert new HP 32bit Vista home premium to Vista 64bit Ultimate

 

Yes, you can use either Anytime Upgrade or buy a VU upgrade edition

(retail). The difference is that you can transfer the AU upgrade license to

another computer only once but you can transfer the VU upgrade edtion

license many times. Since the base VHP license is not transferrable to a

new machine at all (because it is an OEM license), the distinction may not

matter.

 

If you do AU be sure to order the optional dvd, especially if your new

computer does not come with a Vista hologrammed dvd.

 

"Chris Cowles" <spam_magnet@remove-me-bellsouth.net> wrote in message

news:uqI8KoydIHA.4844@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> Well, this experiment succeeded in proving to me that I cannot upgrade the

> computer I bought from VHP32 to VU64. I thought it could but apparently it

> can't. At least the hardware I got can't, even though it might be

> theoretically possible. When VU64 install completes, I consistently get a

> BSOD on the second reboot. The page fault contains nothing useful to me -

> just a memory address but no reference to drivers, etc.

>

> I called HP and they offered no help, of course. I didn't expect help but

> hoped they would say definitively that the hardware (a6350z) would or

> would not support 64-bit. I went back to the web page to simulate buying

> it again and find that x64 is not an option. That's not defiinitve that

> it's not possible with this mobo, but suggests so.

>

> I've got an RMA on the box and ordered a different model. The new m9100t

> with is sold with VHP64 at no extra cost above the 32bit version. At least

> this way I know that 64bit works. Can I then do an anytime upgrade from

> VHP64 to VU64, by entering my key? Assuming so, a benefit of that approach

> is I get to keep the DVD stuff that comes with VHP, that is absent from

> WU.

>

> I discovered last night a reason I definitely want VU, not VHP. After

> completing the VHP32 tweaking, I disconnected the mouse, keyboard and

> monitor, set the new box in a corner with a USB wireless adapter plugged

> in, and tried to RDP to it. No dice. VHP includes Remote Assistance but

> not Remote Desktop.

>

> A positive outcome of this is that the new box is actually cheaper than

> the previous, and has a better video card and larger hard drive. The AMD

> CPU was 2.8GHz and the new Intel is 2.3, but I don't know if those numbers

> are directly related. I gave up 1 GB of RAM compared to the earlier box

> but figure I can add RAM easily in the future.

>

> I was going to ask questions about the drive 1/drive 2 discussion below

> but, if I can use the anytime upgrade, it won't be a dual-boot install.

>

> Thanks to the assistance.

> --

> Chris Cowles

> Gainesville, FL

>

>

> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message

> news:DFBF1A25-D19C-4141-8B44-E119E1A0178B@microsoft.com...

>

>> You will install programs for each OS the same as if each OS were a

>> different computer. They will not be installed on a common Program Files

>> folder or on the same volume. If VHP x86 is on drive 1 all programs will

>> install in the Program Files folder on drive 1. If VU x64 is on drive 2,

>> 32bit programs will install in the Program Files (x86) folder on drive 2

>> and 64bit programs will install in the Program Files folder on drive 2.

>

>

>

[Guest Chris Cowles]

Re: Convert new HP 32bit Vista home premium to Vista 64bit Ultimate

 

"Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message

news:CC4A8DC4-1836-4588-92BA-3FFBC7A77046@microsoft.com...

> Yes, you can use either Anytime Upgrade or buy a VU upgrade edition

> (retail). The difference is that you can transfer the AU upgrade

> license to another computer only once but you can transfer the VU

> upgrade edtion license many times. Since the base VHP license is

> not transferrable to a new machine at all (because it is an OEM

> license), the distinction may not matter.

>

> If you do AU be sure to order the optional dvd, especially if your

> new computer does not come with a Vista hologrammed dvd.

 

I already have a full retail license for VU. I assume I can use that

for the upgrade? I could then transfer it to another, and also sell

the computer with the original VHP64 OEM. (That's unlikely though

because, like cars, I generally keep my computers past their useful

resale life.)

 

Does 4GB RAM make a dramatic difference vs 3GB? An increase to 4GB

adds $200 to the price because 3GB is a free upgrade from 2GB, but

also because it's a change from 667 MHz (3GB) to 800 MHz (4GB). The

3GB takes up 4 slots, so upgrade to 4GB later requires 2GB, by

removing out 2x512MB.

--

Chris Cowles

Gainesville, FL

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Convert new HP 32bit Vista home premium to Vista 64bit Ultimate

 

Since the VHP is x64 you can start the VU setup from the VHP desktop and

just choose Upgrade Install. No problem. You do want to enter the product

key when given the opportunity but uncheck the activation box and give

yourself some extra time to evaluate how the upgrade went.

 

The sweet spot for VU x64 is 3GB. Save the bucks. I don't see much usage

above 2.5GB on my box and only then when I am running a virtual machine.

You should be fine with 3GB.

 

"Chris Cowles" <spam_magnet@remove-me-bellsouth.net> wrote in message

news:uhvs1czdIHA.6092@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message

> news:CC4A8DC4-1836-4588-92BA-3FFBC7A77046@microsoft.com...

>> Yes, you can use either Anytime Upgrade or buy a VU upgrade edition

>> (retail). The difference is that you can transfer the AU upgrade license

>> to another computer only once but you can transfer the VU upgrade edtion

>> license many times. Since the base VHP license is not transferrable to a

>> new machine at all (because it is an OEM license), the distinction may

>> not matter.

>>

>> If you do AU be sure to order the optional dvd, especially if your new

>> computer does not come with a Vista hologrammed dvd.

>

> I already have a full retail license for VU. I assume I can use that for

> the upgrade? I could then transfer it to another, and also sell the

> computer with the original VHP64 OEM. (That's unlikely though because,

> like cars, I generally keep my computers past their useful resale life.)

>

> Does 4GB RAM make a dramatic difference vs 3GB? An increase to 4GB adds

> $200 to the price because 3GB is a free upgrade from 2GB, but also because

> it's a change from 667 MHz (3GB) to 800 MHz (4GB). The 3GB takes up 4

> slots, so upgrade to 4GB later requires 2GB, by removing out 2x512MB.

> --

> Chris Cowles

> Gainesville, FL

>

[Guest Chris Cowles]

Re: Convert new HP 32bit Vista home premium to Vista 64bit Ultimate

 

"Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message

news:10C85DAA-2285-4D1F-B443-34F5677F471C@microsoft.com...

> The sweet spot for VU x64 is 3GB. Save the bucks. I don't see much

> usage above 2.5GB on my box and only then when I am running a

> virtual machine. You should be fine with 3GB.

 

It also gets me 800MHz vs 667MHz but, as you say, I don't think the

incremental gains justify the incremental cost.

 

Now I'm waiting for delivery on another system.

--

Chris Cowles

Gainesville, FL

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Convert new HP 32bit Vista home premium to Vista 64bit Ultimate

 

Enjoy!

 

"Chris Cowles" <spam_magnet@remove-me-bellsouth.net> wrote in message

news:OI9Bm6zdIHA.1212@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message

> news:10C85DAA-2285-4D1F-B443-34F5677F471C@microsoft.com...

>

>> The sweet spot for VU x64 is 3GB. Save the bucks. I don't see much

>> usage above 2.5GB on my box and only then when I am running a virtual

>> machine. You should be fine with 3GB.

>

> It also gets me 800MHz vs 667MHz but, as you say, I don't think the

> incremental gains justify the incremental cost.

>

> Now I'm waiting for delivery on another system.

> --

> Chris Cowles

> Gainesville, FL

>