Using 64 bit Windows XP

[Luis Ortega]

If I install a 64 bit version of windows xp pro will that allow windows to
make full use of all the ram installed?
I understand that 32 bit versions of win xp only allow access to 4 gigs or
so of ram?
Will a 64 bit version of windows be fully compatible with any of my current
windows software running on my 32 bit version of win xp pro?
Will I also have to get a 64 bit processor to get this to work?
Is Vista 64 bit OS?
Thanks for any advice.

 

[DL]

Perhaps indicate also what specific software & version you are running that
might make use of +4gb of ram
and I dont mean win.
You also need hardware that is fully compatible ie drivers

 

[Luis Ortega]

Thanks.
Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop.
Are you saying that the 64 bit Win xp also needs different drivers for
hardware such as printers scanners, graphics tablets, webcams etc.?

 

[Guest]

Yes.

Thanks.
Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop.
Are you saying that the 64 bit Win xp also needs different drivers for
hardware such as printers scanners, graphics tablets, webcams etc.?

 

[Larry Mauriello]

I don''t know if Vista runs 64bit, but I'd assume so. But the biggest thing,
if I'm not mistaken, is that you need a 64bit CPU.

 

[Bob I]

"full use of what ram". You need 64 bit operating system, 64 bit CPU, 64
bit drivers, and 64 bit software to get best use out of more than 4 gig
of ram with XP. Any benefit by your current 32 bit applications would be
marginal at best, provided your hardware continued to function due to
lack of 64bit drivers.

 

[Tim Slattery]

If I install a 64 bit version of windows xp pro will that allow windows to
make full use of all the ram installed?

Assuming that you have 64-bit hardware, and can find 64-bit drivers
for your peripherals, yes.

I understand that 32 bit versions of win xp only allow access to 4 gigs or
so of ram?

32 bit versions of XP or Vista have a 4GB physical address space. That
has to be used to access RAM, video memory, and other things. See
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt/RAM.html for a discussion.

Will a 64 bit version of windows be fully compatible with any of my current
windows software running on my 32 bit version of win xp pro?

64-bit XP and Vista will run 32-bit programs.

Will I also have to get a 64 bit processor to get this to work?

Of course! And your 64-bit CPU will have to be on a 64-bit
motherboard.

Is Vista 64 bit OS?

Vista comes in both 32- and 64-bit versions.

 

[PA Bear]

Forwarded to microsoft.public.windows.64bit.general newsgroup via crosspost.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

64bit Windows can use more than 4GB of ram. 128GB.

There are a few 32bit programs that will not run under Windows x64. Most do
run. The biggest issue is programs that require some sort of driver. Those
must have 64bit drivers to work.

You cannot run Windows 64bit of any flavor without a 64bit processor. You
must have a 64bit cpu.

All versions of Vista come in both 32bit and 64bit versions. There are
separate dvds for 32bit and 64bit.

 

[Charlie Russel - MVP]

1.) RAM - probably. But there are situations where a portion of the RAM is
still not visible. This is dependent on the BIOS and how it handles
addresses between the 3GB and 4GB range that are normally used by PCI card
BIOS. If those addresses are properly re-mapped, then RAM that is hidden by
them becomes available. But this may require a BIOS update.

2.) 32-bit Windows can use 4 GB of RAM, with some exceptions in the Server
space. x64 versions of Windows can all use far more than 4 GB. XP x64, and
Vista 64-bit can use 128 GB of RAM.

3.) Programs running. Mostly yes, assuming ou have suitable drivers that are
64-bit. Colin has outlined the most common exceptions.

4.) Yes, you must have a 64bit processor to run a 64bit operating system.

5.) Vista is available as both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

 

[Tim Slattery]

1.) RAM - probably. But there are situations where a portion of the RAM is
still not visible. This is dependent on the BIOS and how it handles
addresses between the 3GB and 4GB range that are normally used by PCI card
BIOS. If those addresses are properly re-mapped, then RAM that is hidden by
them becomes available. But this may require a BIOS update.

I disagree with this. Intel and Intel-type 32-bit machines have a 32
bit address space. That translates to 4GB of address space. That space
must be used to access physical RAM as well as video memory, ROM BIOS
and whatever other items need to be accessed on PCI and PCI-X cards.
However much address space is needed for those things cannot be used
to access system RAM, it's that simple.

2.) 32-bit Windows can use 4 GB of RAM, with some exceptions in the Server
space.

That's true, some of the server systems use PAE (physical address
extensions). There's a table in the first few pages of the document at
http://download.microsoft.com/download/e/b/a/eba1050f-a31d-436b-9281-92cdfeae4b45/mem-mgmt.doc
that shows the maximum physical memory (actually the maximum address
space) supported by various Microsoft operating systems (the doc was
written before Vista, so it doesn't include any Vista systems).

x64 versions of Windows can all use far more than 4 GB. XP x64, and
Vista 64-bit can use 128 GB of RAM.

Yes. Note that if they implemented a full 64-bit address space, that
would mean something like exabytes of RAM. 128GB is a 37-bit address
space. No doubt that will expand over the years.

 

[Charlie Russel - MVP]

I disagree with this. Intel and Intel-type 32-bit machines have a 32
bit address space. That translates to 4GB of address space. That space
must be used to access physical RAM as well as video memory, ROM BIOS
and whatever other items need to be accessed on PCI and PCI-X cards.
However much address space is needed for those things cannot be used
to access system RAM, it's that simple.

We don't disagree on a 32-bit OS - that was exactly my point. On a 32-bit
OS, you will lose some RAM. But on a 64bit OS, it can remap and give you
access to the RAM. IF the BIOS supports it.

 

[Luis Ortega]

This sounds like more trouble than it's worth for me.
Thanks to all for their advice.