Vista 64 on my laptop??

[Mark G.]

So I am going to buy a new laptop and for the most part, especially the ones
I am interested in, my only option is MS Vista Home Premium 64bit. Now my
laptop purchase isn't meant to replace my desktop machines at all, but I am
purchasing it because I am going back to school and because from time to
time, it would be nice to do some things like messing with my music library
and pictures from the comfort of my couch. Anyhow, on the the 'concerns'.
With the 64bit being pretty much my option for my new laptop, I have some
concerns on software that I will want to use and install. Some I know won't
have an issue like Adobe CS4 and whatnot, but other items, I am wondering
how they will fare? Being that I have never used Vista for anything
production wise, I have not familiarized myself with what it can and cannot
do. Being that most programs out there are 32bit, what is one to do with
this 64bit operating system for as I understand, it doesn't have backward
compatability from 64 to 32. I believe this was for software and hardware.
Am I wrong? Am I stressing over this when in fact I should have no issues
whatsoever? My initial thoughts were to just downgrade the laptop to XP Pro,
but with laptops these days, it ain't as simple as it sounds since you have
to find "ALL" the drivers and what not if you want any of the original
functionality of the laptop. I know my way around computers pretty good and
plan on picking up this laptop tomorrow I hope. Going for the HP dv7-1245dx
from Best Buy. Anyhow, sorry for the long read and if some of you could
please take the time to ease my fears of issues with someware, especially
older stuff and it's functionality, I would much appreciate it.

 

[diggerop]

.........Being that most programs out there are 32bit, ........

Your question also has the answer.

 

[Mark G.]

Could you please xpand on that? Are you referring to:

"Am I stressing over this when in fact I should have no issues
whatsoever? "

If that are anything close it correct, I was hoping to get soem elaboration
on it all.

Anybody else have anything they can add or whatnot please?

Thanks much.

 

[Gordon]

Could you please xpand on that? Are you referring to:

"Am I stressing over this when in fact I should have no issues
whatsoever? "

No, the fact that you stated (quite correctly) in your original post that
most applications are 32 bit.....yes you CAN run 32 bit apps on 64 bit, but
they can't take full advantage of the 64 bit architecture (AFAIK). Thus, if
the apps you want to run are predominantly 32 bit, then there's your answer!

 

[Rick Rogers]

Most 32-bit software will run under x64 just fine. The ones that don't are
those that supply and use device drivers as part of their routine. This is
because device drivers in an x64 installation *must* be signed and not all
vendors want to expend the time and money for this process. You need to
check with the vendors of the software you plan to use for any possible
conflicts.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[Dusko Savatovic]

I would definitely recommend going for 64-bit Vista.
I've got one on hp6730b with 4GB RAM and it serves me well.
The problems I had:
- Canon Scanner 3000 doesn't have 64-bit Vista drivers. Newer models (LIDE
100) do have them. Solution. Left the scanner on the old desktop XP.
- Sony Ericsson K750i mobile phone with camera. No 64-.bit Vista drivers.
Solution. Using laptop's built-in card reader. Using Bluetooth. In fact, I
can use my mobile phone as a Bluetooth mouse/remote control. Great for
presentations.

I did not have other problems, but I do keep an old XP desktop aside.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Being that most programs out there are 32bit, what is one to do with
this 64bit operating system for as I understand, it doesn't have backward
compatability from 64 to 32.

That's not correct. The great majority of programs that run on 32-bit
XP will also run on Vista. There's an occasional exception, but they
are mostly utilities.

 

[oscar]

I have found all of my software that runs on XP also runs on Vista 32 and 64
bit systems. The only exception is Acronis True Image Home 2009 which has
problems significant enough that I won't use it on a 64 bit system.

 

[Ian D]

I have found all of my software that runs on XP also runs on Vista 32 and
64
bit systems. The only exception is Acronis True Image Home 2009 which has
problems significant enough that I won't use it on a 64 bit system.

That's interesting. I've used TI 10 Home on Vista Ultimate 64
with no problems, although I've only been using cloning, not
imaging.

 

[Mark G.]

So far... so good. Vista is kind of weird in that it will install
applications into either a regular "program files" folder or one denoted
with "x86". Am assuming because of the whole 64bit deal it needs to seperate
it. But with the supposedly backwards compatible, it would seem that
wouldn't be necessary. but then what do I know. Any thoughts here?

 

[Richard G. Harper]

The use of "Program Files" at all is a convenience, not a necessity.
However, Vista does in general separate out the 32-bit and 64-bit programs
when allowed to, as you have noted. It certainly is not necessary but may
come in handy to know which "flavor" of a program you have installed.

 

[Gary G. Little]

That's a 64bit weirdness. It has nothing to do with Vista.

 

[Gary G. Little]

It can infact be a pain in the butt. Those developers that love hard coding
"C:\Program Files\MyApp" get a very rude awakening when they install their
legacy 32 bit code on a 64 bit machine.