Vista 64bit

[Stockholm1984]

I've noticed some pretty similar posts to this but nothing quite answers the main questions I have. Am currently running XP 32bit quite happily but would like to increase memory and also upgrade to some of the new generations of ATI or Nvidia GPUs (which depends on money!) at some point in the future. Running XP or Vista 32bit is obviously then a no go as they won't recognise most of the memory so 64bit will be the only option. Have heard comments in the past that 64bit OS's have more software compatibility issues so was really wondering what peoples experiences have been with 64bit and what programs people are talking about when they've said this. Am totally ignorant on this topic I'm afraid! :)

[nevermind1534]

Do you have any older hardware, and what software do you use?

[Luke122]

It's true that most hardware will require special drivers to work on X64, including printers, but most are available if you look hard enough.

I've found that to be the biggest pain of running x64, but other than that it's not too bad.

[crenn]

It is rare to find programs that refuse to run on a 64-bit system (I've found some... but solved it with a virtual machine) but the most common issue with a 64-bit OS is drivers.

[.Maleficus.]

With 64-bit becoming much more mainstream, drivers aren't too bad of a problem anymore. Software has a lot more compatibility than when Vista first released and you get a speed boost to boot. Definitely go for it.

[nevermind1534]

xp 64 was fine for me, and it's even worse about compatibility than vista. What definitely won't run would be 16-bit apps. If they're for dos, you could use dosbox, or for anything, windows, or dos, you could do a virtual machine.

[crenn]

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=04d26402-3199-48a3-afa2-2dc0b40a73b6&displaylang=en

For all your windows based Virtual PC needs (If you install it on Home Premium, it tells you can't get support for it).

[J-Roc]

PhotoShop refuses to run in 64bit. Adobe's website states that they would have to remake the entire program and are thus, taking there SWEET A** TIME!! not to mention that it'll cost about twice as much.


im going to check out that virtual thing...

*walks off mumbling threats towards adobe*

[BerticusPryme]

I run vista ultimate x64 and have not had any issues thus far. The only thing I have found is some compatabilty to old hardware and some printers. For instance I have an old ATI ve video capture card that vista will not use but I believe that problem is with vista itself and not with the x64.

[crenn]

There are incompatibilities with Vista, I've had my most frustrating one today. the device installs... but doesn't work. Why is it frustrating? It's a programmer for a microcontroller....

[nevermind1534]

I had the same thing with the autodesk suite. I had to get the x64 version.

[halcyonforever]

yeah, Windows actually did a pretty good job in that it has a built in emulator for 32bit programs, so most stuff doesn't even know it is running on a 64bit machine.

I had very few problems with XP64, and I could find drivers for pretty much anything recent.

[Stockholm1984]

Awesome, cheers for the comments. Haven't got any old hardware is a PC built from scratch around March time so in that respect it should probably work better with 64bit was just the software side of things I was concerned about. Have mainly been thinking about it lately cause seem to have been having a lot of XP related issues atm involving HD controllers, think I've found the source of the problem but will have to reinstall XP all over again to get rid of the corrupted files CHKDSK keeps telling me about but can't sort.

Whats peoples views on getting a significantly cheaper OEM version of Vista Ultimate 64bit rather than full retail?

[halcyonforever]

As far as I have ever been able to tell the OEM is the same just with out packaging and some price...

[Stockholm1984]

Ok have just heard more rumours (different source this time) that as the OEM is meant to be sold with new, pre-built PCs if you upgrade major parts, such as the motherboard, it won't re-register itself with Microsoft. Anyone had any experience with this or is this just a suburban legend?

[nevermind1534]

The OEM version can only be registered to one computer ever. You can transfer the retail version to another computer.

[crenn]

As been mentioned on this forum before... don't buy retail, buy upgrade!

[J-Roc]

As been mentioned on this forum before... don't buy retail, buy upgrade!

i'll testify to that!

[nevermind1534]

Aren't they both retail? There's a retail new installation for the people who don't have windows, and the retail upgrade for people who do, correct? I would also go with the upgrade, since I have xp.

[Stockholm1984]

Actually on Amazon.co.uk the full retail is cheaper than the upgrade atm. Then there are so many listed on there. The final subject on this topic is Home Premium 64 or Ultimate? Are the added extras on Ultimate actually worth it?

[nevermind1534]

It depends on the person. Ultimate has the stuff that both home premium and business have. Most people don't need ultimate. If you need the business features, get ultimate. I think remote desktop is only for business and ultimate.

[Stockholm1984]

My PCs purely for t'internet, gaming and music plus doing the odd bit of word processing and excel. Have been looking at Home Premium but can't see if it comes with both 32 and 64 bit editions in the one package like I've seen listed for Ultimate...

[nevermind1534]

Ultimate comes with both, but for the other versions, if you buy the 32-bit version, you can have Microsoft send you the x64 version.

[Stockholm1984]

Ah right, free of charge I hope?

[nevermind1534]

Yes, free of charge. At least, I'm pretty sure that you don't have to pay any fees, such as S&H. I remember, microsoft sent me the xp SP2 CD in the mail for free when I still had dial-up.

[Stockholm1984]

Yeh they did the same thing for my parents PC as they only had dial up at the time. You know if the sames true with the upgrade version? Was reading the Microsoft site and it said 'retail packaged versions...' but don't know if thats just means as long as you haven't bought the OEM version.

[nevermind1534]

Yeah, retail should me the packaged full install or the upgrade, whatever one that you buy, as long as they're not OEM.

[Stockholm1984]

Awesome, think I know what I'll be buying after next payday! Cheers nevermind, you've been a big help. +Rep!!!