64bit or 32bit from COA sticker?

[ell]

Hi, I have run across this several times and usually just guess with a vista machine with a dead hd I'm replacing. Is there a way to tell of the coa is from a 64bit or 32bit version of vista? I usually just guess and hope I don't have to reinstall the other version. Dell I can usually use the service code, but others its a guess.

 

[Xander]

Excellent question. I've been hit by this a couple of times, too.

The amount of RAM gave it away once but only once. :/

 

[glricht]

I'm don't believe you can tell simply by the COA. If you buy a Win 7 install, the box comes with both a 32-bit DVD and a 64-bit DVD, but only a single COA.

 

[ell]

Excellent question. I've been hit by this a couple of times, too.

The amount of RAM gave it away once but only once. :/

You mean 4+ gb usually 64bit?

 

[Martyn]

If the client does client doesn't know 32 bit goes on.

 

[ell]

If the client does client doesn't know 32 bit goes on.

so the key will work with both versions?

 

[Martyn]

No idea but that is my thinking. I've not had the situation yet.

 

[Xander]

You mean 4+ gb usually 64bit?

Yup. Filler Filler Filler

 

[comprx]

so the key will work with both versions?

Yes the key will work with either 64 or 32. This is the case with both Vista and 7

 

[joydivision]

Yep the COA works with either, the licence is for one copy of that version of windows, it doesn't matter which version.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

Yep the COA works with either, the licence is for one copy of that version of windows, it doesn't matter which version.

What if you put the opposite version on from what the key was used to activate? Like the customer had Win 7 HP 32 bit and you install Win 7 HP 64 bit, would you have any activation problems since the product key was in use?

 

[Vicenarian]

Something to keep in mind:

Even though the COA will activate using either x86 or x64 based installation discs, OEM drivers/software may not be available/complete for anything but the stock OS.

Case in Point: I know with an Acer I'm currently working on, it originally came with 2GB of memory (and thus ran vista x86), but the owners later upgraded it to 4GB memory. I thought about reloading x64 for them, but the fact is, Acer doesn't offer some of the preloaded software for Vista x64.

 

[Encrypted Existence]

What does "COA" stand for? Thanks.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

Certificate of Authenticity


Edit:It's the sticker with the product key on it.

 

[Encrypted Existence]

Thanks chevyss...yet another acronym.

 

[joydivision]

As a rule with Vista, I always install the 32-bit version, unless I can be sure it did originally have the 64-bit version.

 

[xxsilk109xx]

My experience is that the key has nothing to do with the fact of 32 or 64

I have will install a 64 bit if the pc has more than 4gb of ram, because only a 64 bit system can see that, so obviously it came with it unless the person has upgraded the ram themselves..

 

[jmatt]

I hate to necro an old topic, but are you guys speaking specifically about a retail version of the software? My tech tells me that when using the OEM sticker activation key, that it is specific to either 32 or 64 bit -- and I've seen it.

We just loaded 64 on a box (since it had a 64 bit processor) and the key would not activate it. We then loaded 32 and it worked. Now, this makes sense for OEM machines that are a few years old, since back then Windows 7 64 was more expensive the 32.

So back to the original question: Is there anything on the activation sticker that will indicate whether if it is 32 or 64?

 

[PCX]

What if you put the opposite version on from what the key was used to activate? Like the customer had Win 7 HP 32 bit and you install Win 7 HP 64 bit, would you have any activation problems since the product key was in use?

No activation problems. The COA is not specific to architecture type. When ever we get a reinstall in, we always upgrade to 64bit if the computer can support it. There is very little to no issues with the 64bit versions of Windows and in most cases, it can only benefit the customer, especially if they ever do want to upgrade the memory.

As for recovery media, we don't use them unless we have too . . . Even if we do, we always remove the trashware that comes with it.

 

[NYJimbo]

IWe just loaded 64 on a box (since it had a 64 bit processor) and the key would not activate it.

Did you try the phone activation ? Many times when I reload windows it will fail the COA but the robot guy on the phone always gets me hooked up.