New Notebook has 32bit OS but want 64bit: HP granted this free upgrade in the past? [ Edited ]

[NotebookBits]

I just bought a G60-231WM.  It's a WalMart "special" I bought at a reduced price (ridiculously low price for a new notebook, actually).  It's rather well spec'd.  The only major drawback is built in 802.11G instead of 802.11N but other than that, it's a good deal. 

It's got a Athlon DualCore 64 but Vista SP1 32-bit installed.  Why does HP put a 32 bit OS on these things?  M$ doesn't charge any more for a 64 bit OS as far as I know.  There's a full array of HP hardware drivers and HP branded software available for 64 bit WinVista and 64 bit Win7 for this notebook so that's not the limiting factor.

Only 3 GB of RAM are installed at the factory.  Is that why they install the 32bit OS?

I just applied for the free M$ Windows 7 upgrade through HP.  Maybe when it comes it will have the 32bit and 64 bit versions on it?  The order engine automatically chose to supply 32 bit Win7 and I couldn't change it.  Maybe they will just send a generic Windows disc that has both 32bit and 64bit versions on it?  Anyone know if that's how they supply the free Windows 7 upgrade?

If RAM is the limiting factor, I can easily add 1GB of RAM to bring it up to 4GB for about $43 U.S.--no problem there (change a 1GB stick to a 2GB stick).

1.  Anyone know if I plead to HP will they supply a 64 bit OS for free or for a nominal charge?

2.  Anyone know if HP notebooks with 64 bit processors usually have some other hardware limitation that makes a 64 bit OS just too buggy to tolerate?

Thanks to all .

NotebookBits

[Rakhmad]

Have you tried calling HP?

If HP does not provides you, MS site as describe below

Media Replacement for End Users of System Builders:

Below websites End Users may acquire replacement media in the event that Microsoft software CD(s) originally purchased through a System Builder is defective, damaged on receipt or during installation, or misplaced. Additionally, an End User should only place orders through this website when they are not able to obtain replacement through the System Builder from whom they originally purchased the software.

United States and Canada:

https://om.one.microsoft.com/opa/start.om?StoreID=B19F4CE9-DFCB-44E4-9ABE-1C9DFBAD47D0&NewTrans=1loc...

 (https://om.one.microsoft.com/opa/start.om?StoreID=B19F4CE9-DFCB-44E4-9ABE-1C9DFBAD47D0&NewTrans=1&lo...)

Europe, Middle East, Africa:

https://om.one.microsoft.com/opa/start.om?StoreID=30B288C0-52A6-4AA4-A2BC-2B60DDA37DB1&NewTrans=1&lo...

Asia-Pacific: 

https://om.one.microsoft.com/opa/start.om?StoreID=3D264FB4-A497-4C00-8180-2BB3C548B55B&NewTrans=1&lo...

Latin America or South America:

https://om.one.microsoft.com/opa/start.om?StoreID=733F8F42-707E-4045-9243-A5E655A6041B&NewTrans=1&lo...

Buy Vista 64bit

[Pokesomi]

the amd 64 is not always a 64bit processor.  Most of the early models are still 32 bit and that is why it has the 32 bit processor.  if you can download CPUID for Here and list off the instruction sets it has on the main tab.  if it doesnt have amd's version of EM64T then your processor is a 32 bit processor and WILL NOT WORK with a 64 bit os

[Rakhmad]

AFAIK, all current AMD and Intel processors support 64bit platform.

You are talking about old intel processors, Intel core duo series to be precisely , while AMD have 64bit capabilities since Turian ML.