I would like to get a discussion going on the possibilities or relevance this might have for OEM. Or just have a general discussion, do not know about others but I would like to know more Server SLP Keys, compatibility between x64 and x86 systems. Example (shortened for relevance) from Overclockers: Q/ Can I use the same CD Key Vista 32 Bit OEM on Vista 64 Bit OEM I have a PC running a 32 bit OEM copy of Vista Ultimate. Anyway I wanted to know if I could use that CD Key for a 64 bit Vista OEM install? A/ Sure can.. Used x86 keys with x64 plenty of times before.. No probs with activation at all. Qualification/ Just to make it clear, "officially" you have to uninstall the 32-bit version before using the key for the 64 bit install...but you can install both at once. Re: Another Thread same topic Answer A/ Why all the misinformation? The Dell OEM keys work perfectly with x64. My call to the Dell "service" reps in Mumba^H^H^H^H^H"Sydney" confirmed this, but it was up to me to get my own media. MS licencing rep at the last TechEd seminar they held over here confirmed the same. Answer B/ Yep, you can use the same key for 32 bit and 64 bit. They are interchangeable. I've done it several times with retail and OEM. _____________________ If you would like to contribute. What do you know works in regards to 32-bit systems being activated with its counterparts OEM 64 SLP Keys?
In Server 2003 (and Win XP) the keys are different for x32 and x64 versions. In Vista and Server 2008 there's no even such a definition (term) as "OEM 64 SLP Keys" or "OEM x86 SLP Keys" - there're just "OEM:SLP keys" which do not depend on OS bits' version.
Thanks frwil So are you saying this only applies to Vista and Server 2008 being Vista's equivalant? And in Server 2003 Enterprise there are different incompatible keys for both x32 and x64 versions?
Yes, that's what i 've read from different sources - that x86 and x64 editions of the same version of Server 2003 require different keys, at least for Volume versions, because of different cryptobases in pidgen.dll. But i'm not so sure about OEM:SLP keys for srv2003 though.