The 64bit Question

[Tony McKee]

Hulloo Folks,

As I understand it, WinXP Pro (64bit) will run most 32bit software apps just
fine; but peripheral hardware - particularly PCI I/O cards - *must* have
64bit drivers. Is that right?

Reason for asking: I'm contemplating a new Intel rig based on the Abit
AW8-MAX mobo w/ 955x chipset. I'm thinking of loading the WinXP Pro (64bit)
OS on it but I need to keep hold of some older SCSI devices
(Jaz/Zip/Scanner) which currently are attached to a BusLogic FlashPoint PCI
adapter on this old HP Pavilion. The SCSI adapter and devices work perfectly
on this machine.

Since I've had no luck tracking down a 64bit BusLogic FlashPoint driver, I
fear I'll either have to:

a) forego 'transplanting' the current SCSI arrangement to the new machine,
or
b) fork out for a SCSI adapter whose driver is 64bit, or
c) drop back to WinXP - for which there exists a BusLogic FlashPoint driver

Anyone out there running WinXP Pro (64bit) - is there a Buslogic FlashPoint
file in that OS's driverbase?


Cheers, Tony McKee

--

---
I am a part of all that I have met... yet all experience is but an arch
Wherethro' gleams that untravel'd world whose margins fade
Forever and forever... 'ere I move.

===-- Ulysses --===

 

[Mike Williams]

Hulloo Folks,

As I understand it, WinXP Pro (64bit) will run most 32bit software apps just
fine; but peripheral hardware - particularly PCI I/O cards - *must* have
64bit drivers. Is that right?

microsoft.public.windows.64bit.general

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Tony,

As I understand it, WinXP Pro (64bit) will run most 32bit software apps
just
fine; but peripheral hardware - particularly PCI I/O cards - *must* have
64bit drivers. Is that right?

That pretty much sums it up correctly. What it boils down to is either
obtaining a driver from the device manufacturer or forking out for a device
that has 64-bit drivers available.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[roman modic]

Hello!

Hulloo Folks,

As I understand it, WinXP Pro (64bit) will run most 32bit software apps just
fine; but peripheral hardware - particularly PCI I/O cards - *must* have
64bit drivers. Is that right?

Reason for asking: I'm contemplating a new Intel rig based on the Abit
AW8-MAX mobo w/ 955x chipset. I'm thinking of loading the WinXP Pro (64bit)
OS on it but I need to keep hold of some older SCSI devices
(Jaz/Zip/Scanner) which currently are attached to a BusLogic FlashPoint PCI
adapter on this old HP Pavilion. The SCSI adapter and devices work perfectly
on this machine.

How much memory will this workstation have. What will be its role - what applications
will be running on it?
If possible I recommend you to wait for 64-bit Windows Vista.

Regards, Roman

 

[Tony McKee]

Hello!



How much memory will this workstation have. What will be its role - what applications
will be running on it?
If possible I recommend you to wait for 64-bit Windows Vista.

Yo, Roman.

Yup, I could wait for Vista - and grow a long white beard during the usual
18 months or so after initial release before they iron out the inevitable
bugs. Sigh... ;-)

Memory will be 1Gb - to begin with anyway. Probably those Corsair TwinX dual
channel ones with the pretty lights! ;-)

Apps will be all the usual stuff associated with a household/small bizz PC -
but I want to do a lot of graphical/3D art work and video editing, and also
use it as a base for a modest home sound-recording studio (nothing too
fancy - just record some guitar with vocals, etc). Some networking will be
involved too - both local and via internet. I would consider any reliable
applications - esp. 64bit editions - that will get me there. Of course,
that's assuming I go with WinXP Pro (64bit) - or Vista.

A modest SATA RAID array would be handy in regard to data security.

However, the apps can wait a few months. Right now, I just want to get the
hardware/OS side sorted.

Couldn't give a toss about games or overclocking - hence not concerned with
SLI nor Crossfire. Just want a powerful, fast and relatively quiet
workhorse - and one with shiny new '64bit hooves' would be nice.


Cheers, Tony McKee

--

---
I am a part of all that I have met... yet all experience is but an arch
Wherethro' gleams that untravel'd world whose margins fade
Forever and forever... 'ere I move.

===-- Ulysses --===

 

[roman modic]

Hello!

OS on it but I need to keep hold of some older SCSI devices
(Jaz/Zip/Scanner) which currently are attached to a BusLogic FlashPoint PCI
adapter on this old HP Pavilion. The SCSI adapter and devices work perfectly
on this machine.

BTW, this is very old SCSI card, isn't it? What is its exact model name?
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=270650 ?

This article lists SCSI adapters that have been removed from Windows XP. If you are using any of these adapters under previous
versions of Windows, they may not work properly when you upgrade to Windows XP. Contact the hardware manufacturer to see if there
are any updated drivers available for your hardware.

Company | SCSI miniport | Adapter model
Buslogic buslogic.sys BT - 542D
Buslogic buslogic.sys BT - 545C
Buslogic buslogic.sys BT - 545S
Buslogic buslogic.sys BT - 747C
Buslogic buslogic.sys BT - 747D
Buslogic buslogic.sys BT - 747S
Buslogic buslogic.sys BT - 757C
Buslogic buslogic.sys BT - 757S
Buslogic buslogic.sys BT - 946C
Buslogic buslogic.sys BT - 948
Buslogic buslogic.sys BT - 956CD
Buslogic buslogic.sys BT - 958
Buslogic buslogic.sys BT - 958D
Adaptec fd16_700.sys AHA - 2905
Adaptec fd16_700.sys AHA - 2920
Adaptec fd16_700.sys AHA - 2920A
Adaptec fd16_700.sys TMC-3250
Diamond fireport.sys Fireport 20 Ultra
Diamond fireport.sys Fireport 40 Ultra
Buslogic/Mylex flashpnt.sys BT - 930 Flashpoint LT
Buslogic/Mylex flashpnt.sys BT - 932 Flashpoint DL
Buslogic/Mylex flashpnt.sys BT - 950 Flashpoint LW
Buslogic/Mylex flashpnt.sys BT - 952 Flashpoint DW
Compaq ncrc710.sys 32 Bit Fast SCSI 2 Controller
Compaq cpqfws2e.sys 32 Bit Fast Wide SCSI 2/E Controller

Roman

 

[Enkidu]

Hulloo Folks,

As I understand it, WinXP Pro (64bit) will run most 32bit software apps just
fine; but peripheral hardware - particularly PCI I/O cards - *must* have
64bit drivers. Is that right?

Reason for asking: I'm contemplating a new Intel rig based on the Abit
AW8-MAX mobo w/ 955x chipset. I'm thinking of loading the WinXP Pro (64bit)
OS on it but I need to keep hold of some older SCSI devices
(Jaz/Zip/Scanner) which currently are attached to a BusLogic FlashPoint PCI
adapter on this old HP Pavilion. The SCSI adapter and devices work perfectly
on this machine.

Since I've had no luck tracking down a 64bit BusLogic FlashPoint driver, I
fear I'll either have to:

a) forego 'transplanting' the current SCSI arrangement to the new machine,
or
b) fork out for a SCSI adapter whose driver is 64bit, or
c) drop back to WinXP - for which there exists a BusLogic FlashPoint driver

Anyone out there running WinXP Pro (64bit) - is there a Buslogic FlashPoint
file in that OS's driverbase?

That's not a yes/no question. The OS wraps a 64bit, erm, wrapper around
stuff that has to use 32bit code. Consequently *some* software might
work OK, and other fussier stuff might not. I'd suspect that drivers as
such would be fussy, but a 32 bit card only understands 32 bit commands
so a 32 bit driver might work. However the driver ini files might
specify the particular version the driver for a particular OS, and the
64 bit OS won't be in the ini and it will not install. You might be able
to install a driver by hand, if you are adventurous enough.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hulloo Folks,

As I understand it, WinXP Pro (64bit) will run most 32bit software apps just
fine; but peripheral hardware - particularly PCI I/O cards - *must* have
64bit drivers. Is that right?

Yes, that's correct. Most 32-bit applications will work just fine,
although those that still have 16-bit installers won't even install, and
because many anti-virus applications use the equivalent of drivers, you
may need to find another AV solution. All hardware components *must*
have 64-bit drivers.

Reason for asking: I'm contemplating a new Intel rig based on the Abit
AW8-MAX mobo w/ 955x chipset. I'm thinking of loading the WinXP Pro (64bit)
OS on it but I need to keep hold of some older SCSI devices
(Jaz/Zip/Scanner) which currently are attached to a BusLogic FlashPoint PCI
adapter on this old HP Pavilion. The SCSI adapter and devices work perfectly
on this machine.

Since I've had no luck tracking down a 64bit BusLogic FlashPoint driver, I
fear I'll either have to:

a) forego 'transplanting' the current SCSI arrangement to the new machine,
or
b) fork out for a SCSI adapter whose driver is 64bit, or
c) drop back to WinXP - for which there exists a BusLogic FlashPoint driver

Anyone out there running WinXP Pro (64bit) - is there a Buslogic FlashPoint
file in that OS's driverbase?

Sorry, bad news, I think. The only SCSI controller that seems to be
included with the OS is something by Compaq. I guess no other
manufacturers bothered to provide Microsoft with any drivers for inclusion.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Tony McKee]

Tony McKee wrote:

Sorry, bad news, I think. The only SCSI controller that seems to be
included with the OS is something by Compaq. I guess no other
manufacturers bothered to provide Microsoft with any drivers for

inclusion.

Thanks for taking a look'see.

I'll put WinXP (standard) on the new rig for now, and when Vista is within
reach of my chubby wee paws, ditch all the 32bit legacy peripherals at the
knacker's yard, and thus significantly enlightened, bravely soar into the
64bit promised land! ;-)


Cheers, Tony McKee

--

---
I am a part of all that I have met... yet all experience is but an arch
Wherethro' gleams that untravel'd world whose margins fade
Forever and forever... 'ere I move.

===-- Ulysses --===

 

[Have A Nice Cup of Tea]

Since I've had no luck tracking down a 64bit BusLogic FlashPoint driver, I
fear I'll either have to:

a) forego 'transplanting' the current SCSI arrangement to the new machine,
or
b) fork out for a SCSI adapter whose driver is 64bit, or
c) drop back to WinXP - for which there exists a BusLogic FlashPoint driver

Anyone out there running WinXP Pro (64bit) - is there a Buslogic FlashPoint
file in that OS's driverbase?

Or you could install a 64bit OS that DOES work on that hardware and DOES
run both 64bit AND 32bit programmes, and automatically detects
your hardware and installs the necessary drivers. And each revision of the
distribution also updates the collection of drivers, and for which a huge
collection of native 64bit programmes already exists.


Have A Nice Cup of Tea

 

[Tony McKee]

Or you could install a 64bit OS that DOES work on that hardware and DOES
run both 64bit AND 32bit programmes, and automatically detects
your hardware and installs the necessary drivers. And each revision of the
distribution also updates the collection of drivers, and for which a huge
collection of native 64bit programmes already exists.

Ahhhh.... you've been puffing a certain herb and gazing at your crystal
ball... let me see... Vista Ultimate 2025, w/SP 8.75a?

Or does the Muse point to the Linux Galaxy?

Okee-dokee. I'll nibble: Pray tell, Squire, what be this Holy Grail of which
thy speak; and upon which planet might this 'OS el Dorado' be found? Many a
weary sailor marooned on the digital seas be hanging their last dog-breaths
upon thy reply! ;-)


Cheers, Tony McKee

--

---
I am a part of all that I have met... yet all experience is but an arch
Wherethro' gleams that untravel'd world whose margins fade
Forever and forever... 'ere I move.

===-- Ulysses --===

 

[Have A Nice Cup of Tea]

Ahhhh.... you've been puffing a certain herb and gazing at your crystal
ball... let me see... Vista Ultimate 2025, w/SP 8.75a?

Or does the Muse point to the Linux Galaxy?

Okee-dokee. I'll nibble: Pray tell, Squire, what be this Holy Grail of which
thy speak; and upon which planet might this 'OS el Dorado' be found? Many a
weary sailor marooned on the digital seas be hanging their last dog-breaths
upon thy reply! ;-)

Isn't Linux still the only 64bit OS that actually has plenty of
programmes available that runs natively on it? )


Have A Nice Cup of Tea

 

[Malcolm]

Isn't Linux still the only 64bit OS that actually has plenty of
programmes available that runs natively on it? )


Have A Nice Cup of Tea

Don't forget about Solaris ;-)

 

[Nik Coughlin]

Hulloo Folks,

As I understand it, WinXP Pro (64bit) will run most 32bit software
apps just fine; but peripheral hardware - particularly PCI I/O cards
- *must* have 64bit drivers. Is that right?

I have a dual boot system with XP and XP64. I also sometimes run XP in a
virtual machine under XP64. I set it up like that because I wanted to use
64 as my main OS but I wanted the security of being able to run anything.
That said, I almost never drop into the virtual machine and I've only booted
into ordinary 64 a handful of times.

 

[Tony McKee]

Isn't Linux still the only 64bit OS that actually has plenty of
programmes available that runs natively on it? )

Quite right. Just jester testing. ;-) Linux is something I want to take a
*close* look at before long.

Wouldn't mind setting up a dual-boot system on one of the new rigs - XP or
XP Pro on one drive, Linux on another. It *sounds* easy to to do - two
separate OSs and their respective program stratas, only ever run
individually (of course), yet sharing the same 64-bit enabling hardware.
Would there be BIOS issues with that?


Cheers, Tony McKee

--

---
I am a part of all that I have met... yet all experience is but an arch
Wherethro' gleams that untravel'd world whose margins fade
Forever and forever... 'ere I move.

===-- Ulysses --===

 

[Chris Wilkinson]

Hi there,

Quite right. Just jester testing. ;-) Linux is something I want to take a
*close* look at before long.

Wouldn't mind setting up a dual-boot system on one of the new rigs - XP or
XP Pro on one drive, Linux on another. It *sounds* easy to to do - two
separate OSs and their respective program stratas, only ever run
individually (of course), yet sharing the same 64-bit enabling hardware.
Would there be BIOS issues with that?

BIOS issues are not an issue. As long as XP is already installed
most Linux distros will quite happily find some free space, setup
a partition or two, install themselves, and overwrite the Windows
bootloader with either grub or lilo so that you can choose which
OS to boot...

--
Kind regards,

Chris Wilkinson, Brisbane, Australia.
Anyone wishing to email me directly can remove the obvious
spamblocker, and replace it with t p g <dot> c o m <dot> a u