Free Upgrade to Windows 64bit Edition

[GrahamGarside]

Those of you with 64bit processors and a legit copy of Windows XP Professional can claim your free upgrade to the 64bit edition.
Orders must be made before by July 31st and make sure you really want it as I don't think you will have a 32bit license anymore.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/6...e/default.mspx

[cadaveca]

made my order already. sucks that you lose you XP 32-bit liscence tho. Disks will ship in may.

[GrahamGarside]

I suppose it's one sure way of forcing support, if enough customers move over and burn their bridges and start to complain about lack of drivers, then manufacturers are gonna have to take notice.

[IceRaptor]

Damn... i was hoping to have both installed on different partitions...

ohh well... i'm going for it

[Logan]

Ditto. Will be making the order when I get home tonight.

[cadaveca]

this is for an upgrade disk..there are costs associated with this, for shiping, but the actual cd is pretty much free.

Very little support is offered...one call to Microsoft, and when you install the upgrade, you void your OEM warranty, if the OS was pre-installed.

Now them disabling online activation for "pre-installs" is starting to make sense...

[IceRaptor]

yeh... they charge $12 to ship....

[GrahamGarside]

It's a bit dumb to not have the option to download it like they did with the preview versions

[cadaveca]

that's becasue they are disabling cd keys from online activation...they have to manuaslly enter it, almost, and they have complete control of who gets it if they send a disk..they couldn't with a download. they could be encoding each disk to your cdkey as well...

[fantomfreq]

Originally Posted by cadaveca

that's becasue they are disabling cd keys from online activation...they have to manuaslly enter it, almost, and they have complete control of who gets it if they send a disk..they couldn't with a download. they could be encoding each disk to your cdkey as well...

Now THAT would be wasteful and take forever. Disks are stamped out from a master, so either some new technology would need to be created or Microsoft would be burning each disk from a custom image. I'm sure that they've thought of something along those lines before but deemed it too financially impossible.

[cadaveca]

THEY DISABLE YOUR CD FROM ONLINE ACTIVATION....opps. caps...if you have a non-OEM version. they have to do it somehow, and a machine to burn a disk, simply changing activation to the one each person enters online, print a label, package it, etc...explains the $12 cost....would take about 5 mins for a complete cd.

[skool h8r]

It's $22 to the uk though, about £11. They chose the perfect time, when i was planning to buy some more ram. ah well, be able to afford it after thursday then start saving again.

[Daniel ~]

What no upgrade for 2000 Pro? Don't they trust me? LOL

[bradmax57]

i guess this is only for full versions of xp then?

[cadaveca]

XP pro, nope...read this:

The Technology Advancement Program is designed to assist customers who have acquired a new x64 Computer with the intention of replacing a previously licensed 32-bit version of Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional (1-2 Processor Version) Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional (1-4 Processor Version and Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Reduced Media Edition (1-2 Processor Version) (“Windows XP Pro (32 Bit)”) with Windows XP Professional x64 Edition on such system. This program allows customers to exchange a license for Windows XP Pro (32 Bit)for the new version of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.
Technology Advancement Program Eligibility
In order to be eligible to receive Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition, your computer must have been ordered between March 31, 2003 and July 31, 2005 with Microsoft Windows® XP Pro (32 Bit) preinstalled.

In addition, you must read and agree to the following:
By participating in this program, your 32-bit version of Windows® XP Professional will no longer be licensed.
The installation of Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition requires you to format your hard drive. You must back up your files and settings prior to the installation or they will be erased. Microsoft is not liable for any loss of data as a result of this installation.
Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition requires 64-bit hardware drivers (32-bit drivers are not supported). Drivers for 64-bit Windows are created at the discretion of hardware manufacturers and may not be available for some of your hardware components.
For the purposes of the End User License Agreement for your existing Windows® XP Pro (32 Bit) software, your installation of this software will be an “Upgrade.”
The installation of Windows® XP Professional x64 Editions will void any support with your PC manufacturer. One free support call will be provided by Microsoft for any installation-related issues. Additional calls to Microsoft support will be available on a pay-per-incident basis.
Cost for shipping and handling of upgrade is $12.00 USD for domestic shipments and $22.00 USD for International shipments plus any applicable taxes.

[bradmax57]

Originally Posted by cadaveca

XP pro, nope...read this:

Well I have an OEM version of XP Pro, im trying to enter my COA from the label I stuck on the top of my pc and it dont like it mmmmmmmm

[cadaveca]

lol that's who they are supposed to be doing this for!

they also say some OEM's will be handling the upgrade if you got like a dell, or an hp. they did not mention who tho.

In order to be eligible to receive Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition, your computer must have been ordered between March 31, 2003 and July 31, 2005 with Microsoft Windows® XP Pro (32 Bit) preinstalled.

[GrahamGarside]

Originally Posted by skool h8r

It's $22 to the uk though, about £11. They chose the perfect time, when i was planning to buy some more ram. ah well, be able to afford it after thursday then start saving again.

You won't be able to use it at the moment yet though, it needs a 64bit cpu, which currently means an Athlon64 or Pentium 4 6XX series

[bradmax57]

Originally Posted by cadaveca

lol that's who they are supposed to be doing this for!

they also say some OEM's will be handling the upgrade if you got like a dell, or an hp. they did not mention who tho.

LOL but mines obviously a hand crafted piece of perfection "cough"! it does mention for self builds aswell, anyway Ive sent them an email to see whats up I have 2 copys of XP Pro anyway and only one in use at the moment so duel boot should be okay for me

[bradmax57]

grrrrrrrrrrr tried again "we are sorry we cannot process your order at this time" mmmm same COA used as before?