Yes, but I it seems I can't upgrade except from a xp which is 32 bit. I
don't really want to lose all my material or have to install all the
programmes again.
If you want the 64-bit version, you have no choice. You *must* do a
clean installation, which means losing everything on your drive--data,
programs, etc. Back up you data first, then restore the backup after
you do the clean installation.
Is there a way round this
No.
or do I have to install 32
Vista?
You don't *have to*. You can either upgrade to 32-bit Vista or do a
clean installation of 64-bit Vista.
Why do you want the 64-bit version? The advantage of running a 64-bit
version of Windows mostly exist only if you also run 64-bit
applications under it. Bear in mind that there are very few such
applications available yet. If you are presently running
32-bit Windows, you don't have any 64-bit applications, so to achieve
any advantage, you not only have to replace Windows, but also your
applications, *if* (and that's a big "if") 64-bit versions exist.
Also note that you will need 64-bit drivers for all your hardware.
Those drivers may not all be available, especially if some of your
hardware is a few years old. So it's possible that you might also have
to replace things like your printer, scanner, etc.
So it may not be a great idea right now. That will undoubtedly change
in the near future, but for now, 64-bit Windows mostly means some
extra trouble and expense for little or no benefit.
On the other hand, installing 64-bit Windows instead of 32-bit Windows
makes you able to buy 64-bit software as it becomes available, instead
of the older 32-bit versions. That means that installing 64-bit
Windows--even though it will do very little for you at present--puts
you into a better position for the future.
