A bit Confused!

[jco]

Let me know if I'm correct. If I understand Vista (or Longhorn), this is a
64 bit OS. The difference between getting Vista32 or Vista64 has to do with
installing it on a 32 or 64 bit computer... that is, a computer that runs a
32 bit or 64 bit processor. Regardless to what you install (are running),
Vists is a 64 bit OS.

Thanks

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

No. There are two versions of both Vista and Longhorn Server; an x86
version and an x64 version. They are feature identical but are separate
bits.

You can install Vista x86 on either a 32bit or a 64bit system just like you
can XP. When installed on a 64bit system the x86 version does not take
advantage of the 64bit instructions available to the x64 version.

You can only install Vista x64 on a 64bit system. Vista x64 provides a thin
emulation layer called Windows on Windows 64 (WOW64) when running 32bit
software. It requires signed 64bit device drivers.

 

[Jane C]

Vista x64 is a 64 bit OS. Vista x86 is a 32 bit OS. If Vista was just a 64
bit OS, it would not be able to be installed onto a 32 bit cpu.

 

[jco]

Thanks (both of you) for your assistance.

Vista x64 is a 64 bit OS. Vista x86 is a 32 bit OS. If Vista was just a
64 bit OS, it would not be able to be installed onto a 32 bit cpu.

 

[Guest]

Hello,

Well you are sort of on the right track but, somewhat off the rails... Here
is a perfect explanation.

May I suggest adding this to your favorites if you don't already have this.
http://www.winsupersite.com/vista/

All Windows Vista editions, except for Vista Starter, will come with both
32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) versions in the box, on separate DVDs. This
includes the Home Basic (and Home Basic N), Home Premium, Business (and
Business N), Enterprise, and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista.

I hope this takes away the confusion for you.

James