how to indentify if vista is 32 or 64 bit from the product key ?

[Big Jim]

Customer has bought in a laptop with a dead hdd, I cannot read from it at all, I have vista home premium product key on the bottom but obviously this doesn't state if it is 32 or 64 bit.

Cheers
James

 

[FoolishTech]

You won't be able to identify that from the key alone - as the same key works for both versions. In that case if it were me, they get 32bit with 3GB of RAM or below, 64 bit for sure if 4 or above.

 

[synack2]

Same Key

I have been curious in the past. If it is a Major MFGR OEM key (Dell, HP, Toshiba, etc) and as long as you use an OEM copy it should work. I verified this once by installing 32 and wiping and installing 64 the key was accepted on both. Same as when you buy a retail copy of W7 it has 32 and 64 DVD in the same box but the same key works on both.

On Windows 7 the seem to have made different OEM Copies now specifically 32 Bit or 64 Bit. I think with Vista though they left it more open because of potential compatibility issues for end users that would want to roll back to 32.

 

[lward1]

This might help, have not tried it on Vista or 7. Technibble Tool: Windows Version Identifier http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6846&highlight=windows+version+identifier

 

[johnrobert]

Use install disk to boot to dos prompt, or parted magic to boot

look to see if theres a program files X86 folder then its 64 bit

 

[Martyn]

The op said they can't read from the disk.

 

[Big Jim]

i started this install with a 64 bit disk and had to leave the shop, my tech said he used windows online PID checker and it bought it up as a 32bit key so he installed 32bit seeing as the 64bit failed.

I was too busy too go into more detail about the online checker however perhaps when i get chance I'll get the link off him.

Thanks for all your help though guys.

James

 

[altrenda]

I've used this in the past
http://d-fault.nl/PIDCheck.aspx

 

[andcorptech]

On Windows 7 the seem to have made different OEM Copies now specifically 32 Bit or 64 Bit. I think with Vista though they left it more open because of potential compatibility issues for end users that would want to roll back to 32.

Have never had this problem with Win 7. The OEM discs come with only one type but the key that is with it works for both 32 & 64. We have had a few customers originally purch 64bit with our systems then realise they have some old 32bit only program so we have had to reinstall using 32bit. Used the 64 bit key fine in all cases. Licencing wise not sure on the finer print but i did call MS activations and spoke to someone the first time we did it who said it was fine as long as that key is only used on its original machine.