NewsDell, Give Folks Their 64-bit Media
I’m going to give Dell one warning. Give folks their 64-bit media for Vista, when they request it. Dell claims that OEM copies of Vista cannot be switched between 32-bit and 64-bit installs. This is flat out wrong, a photocopied misconception, and a rather shameful response by the world’s largest PC maker.
For example, you can take an OEM 32-bit Product ID for Vista, and use the same product key with the standard OEM 64-bit install disc. Was that so hard?
Aparrently for Dell, it is. See, top-tier OEMs use different Product ID algorithms (to protect from piracy). So, you need a Dell 64-bit Vista Install Disc to use that license (which you’ve already paid for) as a 64-bit version of Windows. All Dell needs to do is hit the burn button on their CD copier, and put that disc in the mail when a consumer wants it. We’re more than willing to pay a $10 handling fee for your $2 disc.
What Microsoft says is that they will not assist OEM users in obtaining different media… because system builders can select between 32-bit and 64-bit media at purchase. Retail users have to pay a handling fee to obtain a Retail 64-bit disc (Ultimate Retail comes with both 32-bit and 64-bit discs). The reason Microsoft does this, is precisely because Dell, HP, and other top-tier manufacturers use their own algorithms… and thus, there are actually several OEM Vista discs.
What will happen if Dell (and others) don’t start making good on customer requests? Well, I personally think that they are breaking the law, interfering with the Microsoft EULA, which appears to permit OEM users to go the 64-bit migration route… making Dell the giver of “undue, unconscionable interference between Microsoft and the consumer” — Christopher Price. I don’t have a law degree (we’ll see about that later), but I’m warning Dell… lots of other class action lawyers do. Dell, according to Microsoft, and themselves, is the sole actor that could issue customers 64-bit media. The only other option for customers to enforce what their Microsoft license terms allow, is to pirate Vista, which in turn then breaks Microsoft’s license. Hence, Dell is forcing customers to either re-purchase Windows Vista, or violate their license with Microsoft.
Bear in mind, most customers don’t know the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit at purchase, and Dell really doesn’t reference the distinction (to the typical buyer). Guess what’s going to happen when those folks take their PCs into a shop and ask for a RAM upgrade of 4 GB or more?
Well put. I’m about to buy a dell and I want both the 32 and 64 bit cd’s. This when when I go to 4gigs of ram I will have the os install ready to follow.
I’m waiting for a Dell workstation to arrive today. It comes with 32-bit Vista, but I will be trying to get the 64-bit CD as well, becouse I already have 4 GB of RAM and plan to expand to 8-16 in the future. My experience is if you want something (from Dell, etc.) - it’s best to ask straight away after delivery (within 30 days) - that way you’ll have a better chance to get what you deserve…
When I ordered my Dell Laptop last year they did not even hae 64bit as an option. I rather run 64bit and Dell is useless to help
I purchased one of Dells new studio’s with 4gigs of RAM assuming that because other laptop manufacturer’s know to give you 64bit for that much RAM that Dell would also. I ran into this exact problem when, after seeing that I was only running 32 bit and at most using 3.2 of my 4 gigs, I called Dell this afternoon to request an installation disk. I was by 3 people (one a “supervisor” that id finally asked for) that not only are they blatenly refusing to assist me in upgrading to 64bit but I don’t need it because “consumers do not use the type of programs that 64bit runs” and that my 32bit is using all of my RAM.
So after a total of 2 hours of being repeatedly told I don’t know what I’m talking about I’ve decided to return my 5 day old laptop, get a refund, and go to HP where it’s an easy free upgrade to move over to 64bit.