Question on 64 bit vs. 32 bit Vista

[rmo555]

My understanding is that if I want to use more than 4GB of RAM, I have
to get the 64 bit version. If I do, is it still possible to run all my
32 bit apps? Old apps? Hope I asked this question using the correct
terminology. The reason I'd like to consider 64bit is for speed and
the ability to run more apps in the background.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

Yes, most if not all of your 32-bit applications will run in the 64 bit
version of Vista. Vista uses WoW (Windows on Windows) to allow the software
to run in a virtualized 32 bit environment.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
Vote for my shoe: http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

I should add that the trouble you may run into is with finding driver for
some hardware. While most pc hardware now has 64 bit drivers, some add-ons
like camera's are not there yet. You will want to check before making the
change (and it's a clean install only, there is no upgrade path).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
Vote for my shoe: http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, rmo555.

Rick's comments are right on. I'd like to add just a little.

When I first tried 64-bit Windows (WinXP x64) about 5 years ago, 64-bit
support ranged from non-existent to very poor. During the long Vista beta,
64-bit support got better and better. By the time Vista went RTM in
November 2006, most hardware and software ran as well in 64-bit as in
32-bit.

Now, nearly 3 years later, the list of non-supporters of x64 is pretty
short. The most glaring, for me, is Adobe Flash Player. It won't run in
the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer, but it runs fine in 32-bit IE on
64-bit Vista or Win7.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64