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Microsoft Opens x64 Upgrades to Retail

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

May 25, 2005, 2:30 PM

Following confusion surrounding its Windows x64 Advancement Program, which offers a free upgrade from the standard 32-bit version of Windows XP to the recent 64-bit release, Microsoft has clarified the language on its Web site. All users, whether they purchased or built their PC, are now eligible for the 64-bit upgrade.

Microsoft had previously said publicly that any Windows XP user with an x64-supported processor, such as an Athlon 64, may trade in their license for the x64 Edition of Windows XP. But the company's Web site for the program stated the program only applied to purchased PCs with an OEM copy of Windows XP.

The move left many Athlon 64 users who built their PC unable to take advantage of the free upgrade. To make matters worse, Microsoft announced that it would only offer its 64-bit operating system via PC manufacturers and not sell the box on store shelves due to limited driver support.

"Windows XP 64-bit is not gonna be on retail shelves? So how in the world am I supposed to get it," asked on BetaNews reader. "I built a AMD Athlon 64 system for nothing?"

A Microsoft spokesperson said the x64 Advancement Program Web site was updated in response to such feedback. The site now also accepts a Windows XP product key in addition to the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label that comes with OEM PCs.

"In order to be eligible to receive Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, your computer must have been ordered or built between March 31, 2003 and July 31, 2005 and must contain an x64 processor. You must also have a Retail (Full Packaged Product), System Builder, or OEM version of Microsoft Windows XP Pro (32-bit) to exchange," the site reads.

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By MR2

edited May 31, 2005 - 11:37 AM

On the x64 Upgrade site, I get this:
Invalid City/State/Zip combination?

WTF? I know where I live and so does the mail carrier! MS you pooched it again.

Score: 0

By TwinsDad

posted May 26, 2005 - 4:49 PM

I just keep thinking about XP-64 running on a dual core AMD 64 X2. Oh my god, there's drool all over my desk!

Score: 0

By dhthrush

edited May 26, 2005 - 12:29 PM

What about those of us that bought a system with AMD Athlon 64, but with Windows XP Home or Media Center? Will Microsoft eventually release versions of 64XP in Home, Media Center, and Tablet versions?

Score: 0

By Mark Gillespie

posted May 27, 2005 - 9:09 AM

Why on earth would XP home ever need 64bit memory addressing?

Score: 0

By guybru$h

edited May 26, 2005 - 6:33 AM

How usefull is to get a 64bit Windows wks today? I mean, most of the games, apps and drivers are 32bit at the moment, but I am sure games and apps will pick-up relatively fast. I'm watching how long it will be for leading products such as Photoshop, 3ds Max, MS Office, Autocad, Sonar, Reason, etc. to be relased for x64. Untill then, I really don't see a point for a x64 bit Windows (unless you have a 2003 DC or something).

The problem is that when Longhorn becomes ready, the new x86 architecture (read the Athlon roadmap for what they call the K10) will be ready. So your x86 cpu will likely to be lack "features" that Longhorn will require or recommend.

If you're a happy Linux user though, I would love to know how Linux is behaving on the x64.

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted May 26, 2005 - 7:05 AM

Mmmmm, 64-bit Photoshop *drool*

Not much use for the desktop, for now... but I suspect that within a year it will be a big deal as more drivers and software are released. There is a huge benefit to 64-bit computing in terms of processing power and memory use.

In the server environment, this is a big deal, because it can improve performance of server applications such as databases and web hosting.

Score: 0

By Orbitration

posted May 25, 2005 - 5:33 PM

I can't really fathom anyone trading in a perfectly good copy of an O/S for one that has no programs for it, scarcity of driver support, and is actually slower running their existing programs under WoW.
For those of you who say that 32 bit should be faster on WoW.... well, from personal benchmarking, it ain't so.
My 32 bit XP runs quite a bit faster than x64 on the same tasks.
It reminds me heavily of the transitiion from 3.11 to Win95. Same hoopla. Same bs. Same inherently unstable O/S replacement.
Eventually 64 will be great. Now ? not even close. I'm sticking with 32 bit until x64 SP1 comes out.

Score: 0

By Mark Gillespie

posted May 27, 2005 - 9:12 AM

Hmm, methinks you need to get your facts correct, before you make other laughable comments.

1/ XP64 is not slower than 32BIT XP, it's very comparable or better on virtually everything.

2/ If you exchange now, whilst the upgrade is free (ends July), your 32bit licence is only invalidated when you install and activate 64bit.

3/ Driver support may be sparse, see my comment above, you can get it for free now, but install it when you are ready...

There is absolutly nothing to loose from the MS Deal.

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted May 26, 2005 - 7:06 AM

It's not about x64 SP1... it's about better driver and software support that are written purely in x64 format.

Score: 0

By crashoverride

edited May 25, 2005 - 8:38 PM

Hmm, when I do finally build a 64 bit PC. I most likely won't be getting this or longhorn. I'll most likely at that point make a full transition to linux.

Score: 0

By fxer

posted May 26, 2005 - 4:38 PM

It's hard to believe someone who's handle is taken from the movie Hackers knows what linux is :)

Score: 0

By raistphrk

posted May 30, 2005 - 12:49 AM

He wants to hack ths Gibson, man.

Score: 0

By crashoverride

posted May 26, 2005 - 6:12 PM

Oh yeah, I know about linux. Just starting out with it mind you but so far i like what I see. Not quite ready to completely drop windows yet. There are still a few things I do that are slightly windows dependant (at least till i learn how to do them in linux that is). ;)

Score: 0

By Tene

edited May 25, 2005 - 5:03 PM

So OEM versions can be traded in?

Finally I can use windows update. After I use this illegitimate copy to download a legitimate copy.

Edit: since I ordered my PC off of VoodooPC, which are very vague as to the actual order confirmation, do I select the date of the wire transfer, the submission of wanted specifications, the date of shipping? There is no "order date" as far as I'm aware

Score: 0

By improvelence

posted May 25, 2005 - 2:44 PM

Bonus

Score: 0

By ArabianNight

posted May 25, 2005 - 4:28 PM

?bonus?

Score: 0

By improvelence

posted May 26, 2005 - 4:44 PM

Yes, M$ doesnt have to do this, but they did anyway. So to me that is a bonus.

Let's just hope 64 bit XP doesnt piss me off as much as 32 bit.

Score: 0

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