Hello all,

I have a couple of questions. I did a clean install of Vista Ultimate, 64
bit. I running into problems with the different players that my school uses
for online courses; an error to the effect that they're not compatible with
this version of windows (64 bit configuration).
1. Is it possible to change over to the 32 bit once I've already installed
the 64 bit.
2. If so, can it be done without reformating the drive, or will I lose all
of my docs/pics... so I need to back it all up
3. What's the difference between 64 bit and 32 bit anyway? I only installed
the 64 because my DH said to (bigger must be better). Honestly, I'm a "wanna
be" geek-- I have no idea if I chose the right installation or even the right
version of Vista, but again, my DH bought the most expensive one because "it
must be better".

Computer info (coppied from Welcome Center):
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 5400@2.13GHz 2.13 GHz
Memory (RAM): 2046 MB
System type: 64-bit Operating System

Thanks in advance to all those who know more than me-- you're help is
greatly appreciated.

You can't change form 64 to 32 bit or from 32 to 64 bit without doing a
clean install. This normally means you have to backup all your data then
reinstall your programs and restore your data after the new version is
installed.

In the long run 64 bit will be the way to go but at present it has more
compatibility problems than 32 bit Vista. I initially installed 64 bit Vista
then switched to 32 bit for compatibility with some older hardware.

--
Kerry Brown
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
http://www.vistahelp.ca


"~working mom~" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:04740EB4-A657-4721-890C-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hello all,
>
> I have a couple of questions. I did a clean install of Vista Ultimate, 64
> bit. I running into problems with the different players that my school
> uses
> for online courses; an error to the effect that they're not compatible
> with
> this version of windows (64 bit configuration).
> 1. Is it possible to change over to the 32 bit once I've already installed
> the 64 bit.
> 2. If so, can it be done without reformating the drive, or will I lose all
> of my docs/pics... so I need to back it all up
> 3. What's the difference between 64 bit and 32 bit anyway? I only
> installed
> the 64 because my DH said to (bigger must be better). Honestly, I'm a
> "wanna
> be" geek-- I have no idea if I chose the right installation or even the
> right
> version of Vista, but again, my DH bought the most expensive one because
> "it
> must be better".
>
> Computer info (coppied from Welcome Center):
> Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 5400@2.13GHz 2.13 GHz
> Memory (RAM): 2046 MB
> System type: 64-bit Operating System
>
> Thanks in advance to all those who know more than me-- you're help is
> greatly appreciated.
>
>

INLINE:


"~working mom~" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:04740EB4-A657-4721-890C-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hello all,
>
> I have a couple of questions. I did a clean install of Vista Ultimate, 64
> bit. I running into problems with the different players that my school
> uses
> for online courses; an error to the effect that they're not compatible
> with
> this version of windows (64 bit configuration).
> 1. Is it possible to change over to the 32 bit once I've already installed
> the 64 bit.


No. However you might be able to "dual boot". One OS on one partition, the
other on another. You decide at boot time which one you will boot to.

Or you can wipe (re-format) the partition the 64-bit is on and install the
32-bit version. You will have only one OS (which is plenty If this is
possible and not too daunting an option for you, or you are willing to let a
tech or the company you bought the computer from do this for you, I would
advise this course.


> 2. If so, can it be done without reformating the drive, or will I lose all
> of my docs/pics... so I need to back it all up


If the data is important you should have a back-up scheme in place already
anyway. Get an USB external harddrive (I use iomega and like it, but there's
lots to choose from) and do a back-up to it.

But more specific. Unless you have another partition on the harddrive to put
the data on or a second harddrive, when you reformat, all the data will be
lost according to these intents and purposes.


> 3. What's the difference between 64 bit and 32 bit anyway? I only
> installed
> the 64 because my DH said to (bigger must be better). Honestly, I'm a
> "wanna
> be" geek-- I have no idea if I chose the right installation or even the
> right
> version of Vista, but again, my DH bought the most expensive one because
> "it
> must be better".


64 bits means the computer can process low-level commands in 64-bit lengths.
Memory addresses are 64-bits long. This means that a huge amount of memory
can be addressed (64th power). Currently the amount goes way beyond what
most people are use and 32-bits is more than sufficient for most computing
tasks. Those who actually need 64-bits already know.

Nevertheless, it's the way the industry is heading and will eventually
provide better performance. Currently performance increases for most people
for most apps are small, nil, or there is even a performance decrease with
64-bit.

Even though Microsoft has released 64-bit Windows, you will notice their new
Office 2007 is available only in 32-bits. The 64-bit version of Windows runs
Office 2007 on WOW (Windows on Windows: a 32-bit environment running on a
64-bit).

Because of the architecture of the 64-bit Windows and combined with DEP
(Data Execution Prevention) 64-bit is a bit more secure against exploits.

If you are having trouble with 64-bits, then use 32-bits. You probably
should not have been encouraged to go 64-bits anyway. I don't encourage it.
At least not yet. Like I said, those who need it already know.


> Computer info (coppied from Welcome Center):
> Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 5400@2.13GHz 2.13 GHz
> Memory (RAM): 2046 MB
> System type: 64-bit Operating System
>
> Thanks in advance to all those who know more than me-- you're help is
> greatly appreciated.
>
>


--
Saucy Lemon
--
The Lord is close to all who call on him,
yes, to all who call on Him sincerely.
- Bible - Psalm 145:18
--
For email:
guidsaucy at hotmail dot com
--

On Wed, 21 Feb 2007 07:04:42 -0800, ~working mom~ wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> I have a couple of questions. I did a clean install of Vista Ultimate, 64
> bit. I running into problems with the different players that my school uses
> for online courses; an error to the effect that they're not compatible with
> this version of windows (64 bit configuration).
> 1. Is it possible to change over to the 32 bit once I've already installed
> the 64 bit.
> 2. If so, can it be done without reformating the drive, or will I lose all
> of my docs/pics... so I need to back it all up
> 3. What's the difference between 64 bit and 32 bit anyway? I only installed
> the 64 because my DH said to (bigger must be better). Honestly, I'm a "wanna
> be" geek-- I have no idea if I chose the right installation or even the right
> version of Vista, but again, my DH bought the most expensive one because "it
> must be better".
>
> Computer info (coppied from Welcome Center):
> Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 5400@2.13GHz 2.13 GHz
> Memory (RAM): 2046 MB
> System type: 64-bit Operating System
>
> Thanks in advance to all those who know more than me-- you're help is
> greatly appreciated.

I'd like to know why, exactly, you thought you 'needed' vista at this
point? With all the problems coming up and with MS's previous history, my
advice to clients is not to upgrade until at least SP1. It seems MS has a
history of providing beta quality software which finally works with SP1 or
SP2.

"ray" wrote:
>
> I'd like to know why, exactly, you thought you 'needed' vista at this
> point? With all the problems coming up and with MS's previous history, my
> advice to clients is not to upgrade until at least SP1. It seems MS has a
> history of providing beta quality software which finally works with SP1 or
> SP2.
>
>
We didn't "need" it, we "wanted" it, I had installed and ran the beta Vista
Ultimate RC1 on our other computer, and we really liked it. This computer
(our new one) came with the free upgrade to Premium, but we new that it could
run Ultmate, since we ran the beta on our old one, so DH just came home with
it one day, and said "now you don't have to wait for the freebie in the
mail"-- never let the man go shopping alone LOL.

"~working mom~" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:AADA9243-A91C-46BA-9242-(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
> "ray" wrote:
>>
>> I'd like to know why, exactly, you thought you 'needed' vista at this
>> point? With all the problems coming up and with MS's previous history, my
>> advice to clients is not to upgrade until at least SP1. It seems MS has a
>> history of providing beta quality software which finally works with SP1
>> or
>> SP2.
>>
>>
> We didn't "need" it, we "wanted" it, I had installed and ran the beta
> Vista
> Ultimate RC1 on our other computer, and we really liked it. This computer
> (our new one) came with the free upgrade to Premium, but we new that it
> could
> run Ultmate, since we ran the beta on our old one, so DH just came home
> with
> it one day, and said "now you don't have to wait for the freebie in the
> mail"-- never let the man go shopping alone LOL.


This newsgroup has it's own group of trolls who are anti-everything
Microsoft. If you listened to them you'd end up on a Mac running Linux (but
dreaming for FreeBSD ) spending the live-long day editing scattered and
disparate config files hoplessly attempting to get the printer to print.

--
Saucy Lemon
--
The Lord is close to all who call on him,
yes, to all who call on Him sincerely.
- Bible - Psalm 145:18
--
For email:
guidsaucy at hotmail dot com
--

It is quite scary just how many people believe that 64bit computing is going
to be way faster than 32bit, that the computer will boot up from a standing
start to the desktop in 5 secs, that their typing speed in MS Word or a
Yahoo chat room is going to double, that their scanner or printer will only
output as fast as the mechanism allows..

The blame has to be with mobo manufacturers who are producing essentially
home mobos with 64bit capability, yet still only allowing for 4gb RAM which
instantly negates any real benefit of running 64bit, even assuming that the
average home or small office computer user was going to work on projects
like the Boeing 787 wiring loom, and could get easy access to the program
that is capable of that kind of project..

Mobos capable of handling large amounts of RAM are out there but hugely
expensive even before the fitting of four matching Xeon processors and 128gb
RAM, and the kind of graphics cards that can get it all up on the screen in
real time were between USD3000-6000 a piece when last I had any dealings
with RISC 64bit hardware!

Even at RISC level, computers did not ever fire up in seconds.. streams of
screen text passed by as one process after another had to be started, and
when it was all up and running, I still couldn't type at more than 30wpm or
trace the two wires that control the personal reading light and fan for seat
317 (baggage class).. :-)


"~working mom~" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:04740EB4-A657-4721-890C-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hello all,
>
> I have a couple of questions. I did a clean install of Vista Ultimate, 64
> bit. I running into problems with the different players that my school
> uses
> for online courses; an error to the effect that they're not compatible
> with
> this version of windows (64 bit configuration).
> 1. Is it possible to change over to the 32 bit once I've already installed
> the 64 bit.
> 2. If so, can it be done without reformating the drive, or will I lose all
> of my docs/pics... so I need to back it all up
> 3. What's the difference between 64 bit and 32 bit anyway? I only
> installed
> the 64 because my DH said to (bigger must be better). Honestly, I'm a
> "wanna
> be" geek-- I have no idea if I chose the right installation or even the
> right
> version of Vista, but again, my DH bought the most expensive one because
> "it
> must be better".
>
> Computer info (coppied from Welcome Center):
> Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 5400@2.13GHz 2.13 GHz
> Memory (RAM): 2046 MB
> System type: 64-bit Operating System
>
> Thanks in advance to all those who know more than me-- you're help is
> greatly appreciated.
>
>

--


Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

"Saucy" wrote:

> "~working mom~" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:AADA9243-A91C-46BA-9242-(E-Mail Removed)...
> >
> >
> > "ray" wrote:
> >>
> >> I'd like to know why, exactly, you thought you 'needed' vista at this
> >> point? With all the problems coming up and with MS's previous history, my
> >> advice to clients is not to upgrade until at least SP1. It seems MS has a
> >> history of providing beta quality software which finally works with SP1
> >> or
> >> SP2.
> >>
> >>
> > We didn't "need" it, we "wanted" it, I had installed and ran the beta
> > Vista
> > Ultimate RC1 on our other computer, and we really liked it. This computer
> > (our new one) came with the free upgrade to Premium, but we new that it
> > could
> > run Ultmate, since we ran the beta on our old one, so DH just came home
> > with
> > it one day, and said "now you don't have to wait for the freebie in the
> > mail"-- never let the man go shopping alone LOL.
>
>
> This newsgroup has it's own group of trolls who are anti-everything
> Microsoft. If you listened to them you'd end up on a Mac running Linux (but
> dreaming for FreeBSD ) spending the live-long day editing scattered and
> disparate config files hoplessly attempting to get the printer to print.
>
> --
> Saucy Lemon
> --
> The Lord is close to all who call on him,
> yes, to all who call on Him sincerely.
> - Bible - Psalm 145:18
> --
> For email:
> guidsaucy at hotmail dot com
> --
>
>
>

Completely LOL..."trolls"-- too funny.