going 64

[Drew]

This may have been answered a million times or more but I am not really sure
how to pose this question in order to research.. I am going to be switching
to 64bit and was wondering how one would find out if things will work in
64bit such as my antispyware, antivirus, e-mail, and such.. I have drivers
for my printer so I know that will work but what about internal cd/dvd
burners ? Do they require drivers in 64bit ? or for that fact how about a
mouse and keyboard ??..Will any of the newer games work or do I need
something for them ?? Any points in direction for this would be
appreciated.. Thanks in advance as always

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Unless you have programs that were expressly developed for optimization
for a 64-bit operating system, I would recommend that you retain your
32-bit operating system. Your system will not perform a quicker. In fact,
your 32-bit programs will run a bit slower on a 64-bit operating system.

32-bit apps running on Vista 64-bit have to "thunk" through the WoW64
(Windows on Windows") subsystem, which is how 32-bit Windows apps
run on Vista 64-bit.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience

---------------------------------------------------------------------

This may have been answered a million times or more but I am not really sure
how to pose this question in order to research.. I am going to be switching
to 64bit and was wondering how one would find out if things will work in
64bit such as my antispyware, antivirus, e-mail, and such.. I have drivers
for my printer so I know that will work but what about internal cd/dvd
burners ? Do they require drivers in 64bit ? or for that fact how about a
mouse and keyboard ??..Will any of the newer games work or do I need
something for them ?? Any points in direction for this would be
appreciated.. Thanks in advance as always

 

[Andy [YaYa]]

This may have been answered a million times or more but I am not
really sure how to pose this question in order to research.. I am
going to be switching to 64bit and was wondering how one would find
out if things will work in 64bit such as my antispyware, antivirus,
e-mail, and such.. I have drivers for my printer so I know that will
work but what about internal cd/dvd burners ? Do they require drivers
in 64bit ? or for that fact how about a mouse and keyboard ??..Will
any of the newer games work or do I need something for them ?? Any
points in direction for this would be appreciated.. Thanks in advance
as always

Short Answer: Don't sweat it, 32-bit apps run fine in 64-bit Vista, but
you may have the occasional issue.

Long Answer: Best Buy sells 2/3's of their notebooks in store with 64-
bit Vista. Our #1 problem when Vista x64 took off was selling security
packages, a lot of the anti-virus apps didn't support 64-bit off the CD,
but thankfully all of them offered downloadable 64-bit clients, and now
I haven't found any anti virus program that doesn't say "Supports 64-
bit" on the box

It's suprising that it seems the perception is still, "Oh 64-bit OS
doesn't run 32-bit applications." but it does, the only application it
doesn't run is 16-bit, and usually that's the installer that's the
problem. Something easily fixed by the software manufacturer, or some
enterprising, independent software devs.

so ?? there.. you ?? have IT.

 

[Peter Foldes]

Retain your 32 bit system. Only Upgrade to 64 bit if your program(s) (s) (s) warrant it.

Notice the (s) after programs. If only 1 needs it then stick with 32 bit but if multiple programs demand it then and only then upgrade to 64bit

 

[Vernon Balbert]

This may have been answered a million times or more but I am not really
sure how to pose this question in order to research.. I am going to be
switching to 64bit and was wondering how one would find out if things
will work in 64bit such as my antispyware, antivirus, e-mail, and such..
I have drivers for my printer so I know that will work but what about
internal cd/dvd burners ? Do they require drivers in 64bit ? or for that
fact how about a mouse and keyboard ??..Will any of the newer games work
or do I need something for them ?? Any points in direction for this
would be appreciated.. Thanks in advance as always

I just upgraded from 32-bit XP to 64-bit Vista with no problems except
two tiny things which, for me, have easy solutions.

The first is that I have a little clock that I liked that was a 16-bit
app from the Windows 3.x days. It won't run under Vista, but I don't
really have an issue with that. Plenty of other clocks that will run
just fine.

The second, and potentially more problematic, is that Palm's Hotsync
software won't connect via USB to my Treo. However, since the phone has
Bluetooth, I just go through the Bluetooth dongle I already have.
Problem solved.

 

[Paul MontGumDropped]

Stupid advice, and dangerous too!

Going to 64 now is a stupid move. Give him your tel number in order to
support him with tech problems and morally since
he will be having big headaches with your arrogant advice. Also give him
your credit card number in case his hardware peripherals wont work and
he will need new ones.

The environment is not ready yet. Perhaps in 1 or 2 years it will be
more mainstream.

You ever heard of WOW64 you moron, look it up you moron and find out
what it means.

 

[Paul MontGumDropped]

I know it moron. I also know you are a moron, ok moron?

You are a continuous *clown* you Mrs. Soapbox Moses with a lot of
worthless lip service in there NG(s) that you can't back-up.

 

[Paul MontGumDropped]

I know it moron. I also know you are a moron, ok moron?

<Correction here because I am no god or goddess of IT that you pretend
to be you worthless behind-wipe goddess.>

You are a continuous *clown* you Mrs. Soapbox Moses with a lot of
worthless lip service in *these* NG(s) that you can't back-up.

 

[Paul MontGumDropped]

look who's talking! lol

get out of here freak show!

I'll get out when you pull out your dog and pony show, goddess.

 

[Frank]

Stupid advice, and dangerous too!

Ahhhh...the great moron idiot loser help desk worker is about to make a
fool out of himself.
Please continue!

Going to 64 now is a stupid move. Give him your tel number in order to
support him with tech problems and morally since
he will be having big headaches with your arrogant advice. Also give him
your credit card number in case his hardware peripherals wont work and
he will need new ones.

WoW! Amazing just quickly you're able to do that...make a fool out of
yourself.

The environment is not ready yet. Perhaps in 1 or 2 years it will be
more mainstream.

I guess you can't read. Millions of us have been using X64 XP and now
X64 Vista for yrs.
I have two little apps that won't run on X64 and I don't care about
them. Otherwise X64 has been my personal OS for yrs.
Tell me something...how can you shove both feet into your mouth and your
head up your ass at the same time?
I've often wonder yet I've witnessed you do that so very often...?

 

[Andy [YaYa]]

Retain your 32 bit system. Only Upgrade to 64 bit if your program(s)
(s) (s) warrant it.

Notice the (s) after programs. If only 1 needs it then stick with 32
bit but if multiple programs demand it then and only then upgrade to
64bit

It's more difficult to upgrade to 64bit than it is just to install it, give
it a test run and downgrade to 32-bit if it doesn't work out for ya.

Not many apps now a days don't support running on the 64-bit platform, and
anything that doesn't you can probably find a replacement easily enough.

64-bit is the new 32-bit.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

It's more difficult to upgrade to 64bit than it is just to install it, give
it a test run and downgrade to 32-bit if it doesn't work out for ya.

"More difficult"? No, it's not more difficult; it's impossible. It
requires a clean installation.

give
it a test run and downgrade to 32-bit if it doesn't work out for ya.

Similarly, there is no possible downgrade either. That also requires a
clean installation.

Not many apps now a days don't support running on the 64-bit platform,

That's generally true. The programs that are most likely not to run
under 64-bit Windows are older versions of utilities.

and
anything that doesn't you can probably find a replacement easily enough.

64-bit is the new 32-bit.

?? Sorry, I don't know what you mean by that sentence.

 

[Frank]

It's more difficult to upgrade to 64bit than it is just to install it, give
it a test run and downgrade to 32-bit if it doesn't work out for ya.

Not many apps now a days don't support running on the 64-bit platform, and
anything that doesn't you can probably find a replacement easily enough.

64-bit is the new 32-bit.

There is no "upgrade" to X64.
It can only be achieved by a clean install.

 

[Drew]

To all... I appreciate the words of wisdom and as usual even got a laugh or
three... I have researched the crap out of this for days and have discovered
that ALL my peripherals are supported and I have since downloaded the
drivers and burned them to disc.. I have also researched every app that I
have and they also have full support in Vista 64.. I have from day 1 known
that you have to do a clean install and I do not have a problem with that..
Thanks again !!

P.s Hey Andy !!
I will be going with a quad core q6600 and crossfired ATI 4670's as well as
Vista business 64bit retail. I will stick with my current 160gig Seagate
Barracuda's for now

 

[Andy [YaYa]]

"More difficult"? No, it's not more difficult; it's impossible. It
requires a clean installation.

Well excuse my Engrish, and for the record you also can't upgrade from
32-bit to 64-bit. My point was he should try 64-bit and if he finds it's
not gonna work for him he can downgrade/reinstall to 32-bit. Doesn't
really make sense to install 32-bit now, decide later to try out 64-bit
have problems then have to go back to 32-bit. Sheesh. Who are you?

(clip)

That's generally true. The programs that are most likely not to run
under 64-bit Windows are older versions of utilities.

....Games, I know several web apps, and anti-virus apps that only run 32-
bit, but work in x64 Vista. I would say that the majority of apps still
only have 32-bit binaries. Were beating a dead horse here.

?? Sorry, I don't know what you mean by that sentence.

Who are you? I mean you're replying to a response from a previous
thread, and not really "adding anything to the conversation". MVP, what
is that? Are you a MS employee, or are you a volunteer? Can I put MVP on
my name for shits and giggles?

From a sales/service POV, when I see 2/3'rds of our store stock running
64-bit, and these are "main stream" users, not custom pc builders, that
to me says that 64-bit is slowly creeping out into the open, and I hope
software devs are ready for it. 64-bit is the new 32-bit. If you don't
know what I mean by that sentence, what planet are you from?

MS seems to be doing a good job so far with Vista and now the 64-bit
push, but I wish they would fix all the little problems with Vista that
just piss me off to no end.

 

[Andy [YaYa]]

To all... I appreciate the words of wisdom and as usual even got a
laugh or three... I have researched the crap out of this for days and
have discovered that ALL my peripherals are supported and I have since
downloaded the drivers and burned them to disc.. I have also
researched every app that I have and they also have full support in
Vista 64.. I have from day 1 known that you have to do a clean install
and I do not have a problem with that.. Thanks again !!

P.s Hey Andy !!
I will be going with a quad core q6600 and crossfired ATI 4670's as
well as Vista business 64bit retail. I will stick with my current
160gig Seagate Barracuda's for now

Nice bit of reasearch Drew. I have to say one awesome thing about Vista is
it installs really easily. Very little interaction required.

Good hardware choices. You are gonna have a lot of fun with games like
Fallout 3 and C&C 3: Red Alert right around the corner! (mmm, Jenny
McCarthy, and Kelly Hu)

 

[Andy [YaYa]]

There is no "upgrade" to X64.
It can only be achieved by a clean install.

Damn you people love beating a dead horse. **** read the message again and
try not to take everything so literally. Drew got the message, and if he
didn't understand what I was trying to say, THEN you can jump in and act
like a tool, not before.

 

[RiverDog]

Drew, here is a link that might help you make up your mind:
http://www.pugetsystems.com/articles.php?id=63


RiverDog