34-bit or 64-bit

[Octavio]

I am about getting ready to install Vista Ultimate (upgrade from Windows XP
Mecdia Center Edition) and according to the instructions I need to decide
wheter to install a 32-bit or 64-bit edition. How do I decide that, and
where do I need to look to find out what I have or what I need?
I am not very computer savvy, as you see.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Octavio]

I transferred the post to "public.windows.vista.installation-setup".
Please refer to that newsgroup and answer it there is you wish to do that.
Thanks.

 

[Guest]

that depends on your cpu? do you have a 64 or 32 bit? not sure? what kind of
cpu is it? not sure? go to run type in dxdiag and look there!

 

[Nicole & Tom]

I am about getting ready to install Vista Ultimate (upgrade from Windows
XP Mecdia Center Edition) and according to the instructions I need to
decide wheter to install a 32-bit or 64-bit edition. How do I decide
that, and where do I need to look to find out what I have or what I need?
I am not very computer savvy, as you see.
Thanks in advance.

Unless you are prepared for a steep learning curve, I would recommend
that you go for 32 bit. The 64 bit version is very finicky with
drivers, and you can't even use drivers from the XP x64 version. A
normal user who is not using more than 4gb of RAM will not notice any
difference in speed, but the 32 bit version is compatible with a lot
more software, and does not insist on signed drivers.

Tom

 

[Guest]

Octavio,

Visit the below Microsoft Vista URL Sites for determing what is best for you.

Also, 64-bit Vista provides considerably more Security compared to 32-bit
Vista.

As a previous Post read, does your processor support 64-bit? If so, the
major difference you will experience, enhanced speed and Security.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/backup.mspx

http://support.microsoft.com/windowsvista