32bit operation system

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gordon

Is it possible to run windows xp pro 32bit and windows 7 64bit on separate
partitions on a 64bit computer?.
 
Is it possible to run windows xp pro 32bit and windows 7 64bit on separate
partitions on a 64bit computer?.
Click to expand...

Hi Gordon,

Yes it is.

However - speaking as one who runs Windows 7 and XP side-by-side all day
long, for business reasons - I highly recommend you consider running
32-bit XP in a Virtual Machine on Windows 7: such as Microsoft Virtual
PC or VMware Workstation 7.0.

Dual-booting is possible; however is is always fragile and error prone.
For every respondent who says "I've been dual booting for years with no
problem", there'll be at least one other who has seen an unexpected
"NTLDR not found" error or similar disaster. Basically, Windows does not
handle dual booting well. However, running in a VM is a mainstream and
well-supported way of running two versions of Windows side-by-side.

By running XP in a VM, you can share and copy files back and forth
between XP and Windows 7, and run XP apps and Windows 7 apps side by
side at the same time. No need to stop, reboot, run the other system,
reboot, and switch back.

I use VMWare Workstation myself; however Microsoft Virtual PC is also
good, and it's free! So try it out and see if you like it:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/

VMWare is particularly useful if you want to run non-Windows operating
systems, such as Linux or Solaris, in a VM.

There are some other 3rd party VM platforms out there as well, with
various pros and cons: Parallels, VirtualBox, etc.

Hope this helps,

Andrew
 
Thanks for you reply Andrew your answer cleared up queries and I shall
follow your advice.
 
Is it possible to run windows xp pro 32bit and windows 7 64bit on separate
partitions on a 64bit computer?.
Click to expand...


You mean in a dual-boot scenario? Yes.

Why do you want them both?
 
I dont know if this is correct but I`ve heard that there are a number of
programs that do not run on a 64bit system,so I would like the option to use
both.
 
gordon said:
I dont know if this is correct but I`ve heard that there are a
number of programs that do not run on a 64bit system,so I would
like the option to use both.
Click to expand...

I have found very few applications that will not run on a 64-bit operating
system. Check with the manufacturer (via their web page FAQs perhaps) of
wach application you have and each hardware device you utilize before using
a 64-bit operating system.
 
I dont know if this is correct but I`ve heard that there are a number of
programs that do not run on a 64bit system,so I would like the option to use
both.
Click to expand...


I run 64-bit Windows 7 here. Except for older versions of some
utilities, I have found hardly any programs that won't run under it.
And those older utility versions needed to be replaced anyway.

But if you are concerned about specific programs, ask the Windows 7
newsgroups or forums. You can find out what will and what won't run
there.

I think you are worrying about what is basically just a phantom
problem. I recommend *not* dual-booting and just running 64-bit
Windows 7.


 
I dont know if this is correct but I`ve heard that there are a number of
programs that do not run on a 64bit system,so I would like the option to use
both.
Click to expand...

In this light, I'd tend to agree with Ken and Shenan.

64 bit Windows cannot run any program with 16 bit code (eg an old MS-DOS
or Windows 3.1 app). 64 bit Windows also cannot run any applications
which require a 32-bit device driver (like the VPN software I recently
had to replace :-). But otherwise, there is a high degree of compatibility.

If an application has problems running on Windows 7, you can highlight
the program icon or EXE file, right-click and choose Properties. Under
the Compatibility tab, you can set the compatibility level for an
earlier version of Windows; such as XP SP3, or Windows 98.

If an application still refuses to run on Windows 7, then you can
install XP Mode, which is basically a fairly seamless, easy to use
version of the Virtual machine idea I mentioned in my separate reply.

So go with Windows 7, forget dual booting and enjoy the experience :-)

Cheers
Andrew
 
Is it possible to run windows xp pro 32bit and windows 7 64bit on
separate partitions on a 64bit computer?.
Click to expand...

My Core2Quad is setup exactly like this, the only thing that didn't work
was a driver for a multi I/O usb MIDI interface (M-Audio), they only have
32 bits; so I've recycled that interface on my laptop (Win7 32bits) and I
bought a new one with 64 bits driver for my desktop.

I added 4 GB RAM (total 8 GB) and that machine is very fast. All my
programs work and I rarely boot into XP anymore.

So if you find 64 bits drivers for your hardware and you have a decent
machine, go ahead with Seven 64bits and don't bother with double-boot.

HTH
 
Thanks for the advice to all all answered, and after reading all the
postings I suppose I´ll go and buy a new laptop and keep my present one with
xp pro for backup (just in case)
 
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