Convert XP Pro 32bit to 64bit

[Buffalo]

What is the cheapest way to do this?
Is it a straight forward thing to do?
This is for a friend of mine with a desktop unit.
It is an HP DC7700 with 4GIG mem,
2.13 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo
64bit dual processor and 160gig HD.
Thanks
Buffalo

 

[Paul]

AFAIK, there is no conversion. A fresh install of
Windows XP 64-bit is required.

But why bother without increasing the RAM?

GR

And a second reason for not doing it,
is WinXP SP2 x64, sucks.

Check the old reviews on Newegg. Many of the people
who bought that OS, weren't happy with it. Back
then, the driver situation was pretty bad. And
I don't think Microsoft put that much effort
into updates. Some Wikipedia article, says
it's based on a server OS, with the necessary
desktop features added back in.

If you actually wanted a 64 bit OS, something
later would be recommended. Vista SP2 or Windows 7 SP1
in x64 would be OK. I don't know if I'd be
recommending Windows 8 to anyone, as a serious
alternative. It leaks like a sieve,
in terms of personal information, and needs
a lot of user attention to details, to
"make a good OS out of it". It's a constant
battle to protecting your privacy.

Paul

 

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per Paul:

If you actually wanted a 64 bit OS, something
later would be recommended. Vista SP2 or Windows 7 SP1
in x64 would be OK.

I just installed Windows 7 SP1 on my new box.

Speaking as a die-hard XP Pro holdout - who vowed *never* to leave XP
until I absolutely had to - I would say that Windows 7 is livable.

Several PITA factors compared to XP, but nothing that I would call a
deal breaker.

OTOH, I don't know how much is the new CPU and how much is 64-bit and 8
gigs of RAM, but I've got video transcoding apps that run a *lot* faster
now.

I think my "Pro" copy of 7 was about $150.

 

[philo]

Per Paul:

I just installed Windows 7 SP1 on my new box.

Speaking as a die-hard XP Pro holdout - who vowed *never* to leave XP
until I absolutely had to - I would say that Windows 7 is livable.

Several PITA factors compared to XP, but nothing that I would call a
deal breaker.

OTOH, I don't know how much is the new CPU and how much is 64-bit and 8
gigs of RAM, but I've got video transcoding apps that run a *lot* faster
now.

I think my "Pro" copy of 7 was about $150.

I built an XP-64 for my wife many years ago and had no problem at all
with it...however with support about to be ended I see no point in
trying to go with it now.

All you'd gain is a little RAM and an entire fresh install would be
needed. I'd leave things as they are or else go with the 64bit version
of Win7.

 

[Bert]

In "(PeteCresswell)"

I think my "Pro" copy of 7 was about $150.

NewEgg has Win 7 Pro OEM for $140, retail for $270.

Home Premium OEM is $100, retail $200.

Ultimate OEM $190, retail $320.

Prices for 32- and 64-bit versions are the same.

 

[Good Guy]

What is the cheapest way to do this?
Is it a straight forward thing to do?
This is for a friend of mine with a desktop unit.
It is an HP DC7700 with 4GIG mem,
2.13 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo
64bit dual processor and 160gig HD.
Thanks
Buffalo

The only way is to reinstall a fresh copy on a 64bit machine but as
somebody pointed out, it is not worth it because most of the software
for Windows XP are still 32 bit and so they can't see your additional
memory greater than 3GB.

I would jump directly to Windows 8.1 and buy all the new software
packages that are 64 bits.

 

[Buffalo]

"Buffalo" wrote in message news:[email protected]...

What is the cheapest way to do this?
Is it a straight forward thing to do?
This is for a friend of mine with a desktop unit.
It is an HP DC7700 with 4GIG mem,
2.13 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo
64bit dual processor and 160gig HD.
Thanks
Buffalo

Thanks to all that replied. He will leave it as is.
He just installed Linux Mint Cinnamon 15 32bit as the second OS with dual
boot.

Thanks to all again

 

[philo]

"Buffalo" wrote in message news:[email protected]...



Thanks to all that replied. He will leave it as is.
He just installed Linux Mint Cinnamon 15 32bit as the second OS with
dual boot.

Thanks to all again

With Linux, you can install a PAE kernel if you want to make use of the
full 4 gigs of RAM. (Probably not necessary though.)

 

[Buffalo]

"philo " wrote in message news:[email protected]...

With Linux, you can install a PAE kernel if you want to make use of the
full 4 gigs of RAM. (Probably not necessary though.)

Thanks for that. I will pass it on.
I think he is satisfied with just using the 3.2GB that I think it uses
without any help.

 

[hp]

And a second reason for not doing it,
is WinXP SP2 x64, sucks.

Check the old reviews on Newegg. Many of the people
who bought that OS, weren't happy with it. Back
then, the driver situation was pretty bad. And
I don't think Microsoft put that much effort
into updates. Some Wikipedia article, says
it's based on a server OS, with the necessary
desktop features added back in.

If you actually wanted a 64 bit OS, something
later would be recommended. Vista SP2 or Windows 7 SP1
in x64 would be OK. I don't know if I'd be
recommending Windows 8 to anyone, as a serious
alternative. It leaks like a sieve,
in terms of personal information, and needs
a lot of user attention to details, to
"make a good OS out of it". It's a constant
battle to protecting your privacy.

Paul

I tend to disagree, Once Xp x64 is upgraded to sp2 its not bad.
It served me well as an introduction to x64, But I started using it
about 5 years ago, when More Work was done for drivers. So more were
available to be had then.