Windows 7 Key Questions

[Hippo08]

Hey everyone,

So I am in a bit of a pickle. I have 6 Acer Computers all with 64bit Windows 7 Home Premium(from the factory, OEM), but the company has programs that will ONLY work on 32bit.

I have called ACER and they have said that the key on the back of the computer will not be able to install a 32bit version of Windows Home Premium even if I got the installation media for 32bit Windows Home Premium.

Is any of this true? Or is ACER trying to get some more money through selling extra Windows Licenses(literally going from 64bit to 32bit - no difference in version otherwise).

Any other solutions, knowledge and expertise is welcome!

Thank you so much for your time,

Hippo

[glc]

I'm seeing conflicting information - your best bet would be to call Microsoft and discuss it.

However, before you can even think about it, you need to research whether Acer even offers 32 bit drivers for the computers.

Another option to research is virtualization. That's keeping the existing OS, and running another OS (such as XP) in a "virtual machine". Unfortunately, the only way you can legally run XP in a VM without buying XP is with Win 7 Pro or Ultimate.

[Hippo08]

Thanks for the quick response glc,

Yeah, its pretty crazy. Acer told me to call Microsoft. I talked to Microsoft and they said they had no part in it and to call Acer. So I am about to call Acer one more time and ask to the heavens that they can either send me a disk(maybe even tell me that the key actually DOES work for 32 or 64bit Home Premium) or I will have to purchase new OS'es for each of them.

Thank you for the tip on the drivers, it will be a question I ask them this next time around on the phone.

Any other input would be greatly appreciated. I am going to assume though that since its an OEM version(not 100% sure, but we didn't install the OS's), that I will have to rebuy the exact same program to run it in 32bit(pretty rediculous, but that sounds about right for sales/microsoft).

Thank you again,

Hippo

UPDATE: From Microsoft themselves - OEM versions of Windows 7 are good for 32bit AND 64bit installations of the version of Windows 7 you had.

Drivers are supported by Acer for 32bit of the Acer Aspire AX3300.

On phone with Acer right now to see if they will send me a 32bit media disk.

UPDATE#2: Acer will only give you the disk of the OS that came with the preinstalled computer. You will not be able to get an OEM disk of a different bit(even if same version) from Acer.

[glc]

If not, you can spend $100 and buy an OEM disk from Newegg. The only possible hassle might be the Acer keys won't work. If they won't, you will have a key that comes with the disk. Then you may have activation issues, but Microsoft should be able to help you there.

Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 32-bit English 1-Pack DSP DVD - Operating Systems

[Hippo08]

Yup, I went down to Fry's and got me an OEM disk. The Windows Licensing Expert told me that if I have an OEM disk, the serials on my computers should be good for 32bit or 64bit and if I had trouble, just call Microsoft.

Acer Software Support said that the drivers should work for 32 or 64 bit. I also looked up for myself and the drivers are there on their website for both 32 and 64bit.

Just to make sure, does it look like I have all of my bases covered? Anything else I might be forgetting?

Thank you again glc, you have helped a tremendous amount!

Hippo