:I just don't know enough about the 64 bit OS as far as the current
: programs on the market. Take for instance Office 2003. Will that
run
: on a 64 bit OS and Platform? And what about all of the other
programs
: on the market designed for 32 bit. Does the OS and CPU scale down
to
: run those apps, or do all apps need patching. This system will be
for
: someone less computer savvy than I, which is pretty unsavvy.
:
:
: Shenan Stanley wrote:
: > Scott wrote:
: > > I've been building most of my machines around the P4 chip and
XP
: > > Pro. So now I am entertaining building a 64 bit machine, but
still
: > > using XP Pro. (not XP 64 bit) Are there any compatibility
issues?
: > >
: > > I have to admit, I don't have any trust in anything new until
all of
: > > the bugs are worked out. Windows 64 bit is still too new for
my
: > > comfort and Vista has some trials it has to go through before
it
: > > will have my confidence. I am fairly familiar with XP Pro and
I
: > > think that is also fairly reliable. But I want to build this
next
: > > machine to get into the 64 bit world.
: >
: > Get a Dual Core PC..
: >
: > That way you are in the '64bit world' (As you could run XP x64
if you
: > wanted) and your 32 bit operating system will treat the dual
core with some
: > respect where it wouldn't show the 64bit processor any extra
love at all.
: >
: > The truth of the matter is, however - 64bit processor or not -
if the OS you
: > are using on it is 32 bit - then so are all the apps. Advantage
is zero.
: > Future expandability, sure - but you seem like someone (from
your own
: > description) who would merely buy a new system when they wanted
to really
: > switch to 64 bit.. OS and all.
: >
: > --
: > Shenan Stanley
: > MS-MVP
: > --
: > How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
: >
:
Scott - I run a 64-bit workstation dual boot between Win2k3 x64 and
WinXP x64 - I just made sure all my hardware had 64-bit drivers,
i.e. video, mouse, modem, etc. All my 32-bit applications run just
fine, they run in Wow64 mode (Windows on Windows), similiar to NTVDM
on 32-bit Windows, which allows 16-bit applications to run on 32-bit
OS. The only drawback is if you have some early 32-bit applications
that have a 16-bit installer, you can't get them installed, at least
I haven't figured out how, as x64 is not letting the 16-bit
installer to run. The good thing, is I diddle around with VS2k5 and
I have the PSDK installed, so I can compile my little utilities I
write in both 32-bit and 64-bit executables, and once I package my
32-bit executables, they work just fine on the 32-bit XP as if I'd
compiled them there. Plus I can start experimenting with x64
applications as they are available, and some game manufacturers have
released some of their games in x64 mode, but the choice is
ultimately up to you in what you are looking for. The x64 OS does
allow you to go above 4GB or RAM, and in some cases will run select
x86 (32-bit) applications faster, but does the cost really outweight
the performance, or do you just want bragging rights, that you have
an EMT64 enabled machine - your call.
--
Star Fleet Admiral Q @ your service!
Google is your friend!
http://www.google.com