Vista 64x and 86x

[Guest]

I just recieved a copy of Vista Ultimate, not knowing what to expect at all.
I knew a little, such as this operating system does support dual core and 64x
processors...

My problem is, I came to understand that Vista Ultimate has everything,
including being able to support both 86x and 64x, there being some option
during the install.

So, basically...am I completely wrong, or did I miss something, OR did I
just get the wrong version of Vista?

Also, does Vista have all the same compatability problems that WIN64 had? I
know I lost my webcam, printer, most of my video options, etc...

Thanks!

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi Chris,

Hardware is dependent on drivers being available. While it is getting
better, there is still a dearth of drivers for x64 operating systems whereas
x86 usually has an abundance. The x64 version of Vista Ultimate has quite a
bit of built in support, but you still may need a driver from the device
manufacturer. All one can reasonably tell you is to try it and see, but make
sure you use a test system or install to a second volume as a test. Do not
install it on a primary system with irreplacable data until you are a) sure
the hardware will function under Vista and b) you have backed up the data so
that you can recover it if disaster strikes.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Guest]

It might have been nice to mention clearly that my problem is that I have a
64x processor, and when I installed I was given no option to install any
operating system but the 32 bit...I was asking, doesn't Ultimate have support
for both?

 

[Bioboffin]

Another third party news item today:

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/index.php?p=171

"Microsoft has decided, sensibly, that it won't include the 64-bit version
of Vista in any of its retail boxes; you'll have to order a DVD and have it
shipped separately."

Could be more mis-information, but it sounds plausible.

 

[Jeff Gaines]

It might have been nice to mention clearly that my problem is that I have a
64x processor, and when I installed I was given no option to install any
operating system but the 32 bit...I was asking, doesn't Ultimate have
support
for both?

There are two down-loads X32 and x64, the latter was pulled due to the
load on the web site, I'm not sure if it's back yet.

I *think* the retail box will include 2 x DVD's so you choose which to
install.

 

[Mike Hall - MS MVP Windows Shell/User]

Vista 64bit is supplied separately.. driver availability is not good
presently.. some items will never be supported.. the MS Fingerprint reader
is one as it is not seen as something that commerce will not use.. this is a
marker that some stuff made primarily for home use will never be supported
by any manufacturer..

I also have 64bit hardware, but until support for it is way better, the
32bit version is the best bet..

 

[David Wilkinson]

Another third party news item today:

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/index.php?p=171

"Microsoft has decided, sensibly, that it won't include the 64-bit version
of Vista in any of its retail boxes; you'll have to order a DVD and have it
shipped separately."

Could be more mis-information, but it sounds plausible.

John:

If true, this is extremely bad news, IMHO. And a mistake.

David Wilkinson

 

[Bioboffin]

If true, this is extremely bad news, IMHO. And a mistake.

David Wilkinson

I agree. Daryll Gorter (MSFT) posted that only the ultimate edition would
include both x86 and x64 versions in the box. No indication of whether that
was the upgrade or the full edition only. In this matter, the devil is in
the detail. We have to await developments.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

It is on MSDN again.

There are two down-loads X32 and x64, the latter was pulled due to the
load on the web site, I'm not sure if it's back yet.

I *think* the retail box will include 2 x DVD's so you choose which to
install.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

There are separate dvd's for x86 and x64. You install the one you want.
Both work equally well on 64bit processors so you pick. Dual core
processors are supported by all versions of XP as well.

 

[David Wilkinson]

I agree. Daryll Gorter (MSFT) posted that only the ultimate edition would
include both x86 and x64 versions in the box. No indication of whether that
was the upgrade or the full edition only. In this matter, the devil is in
the detail. We have to await developments.

John:

Surely the Business version should also come with 64-bit. This is madness.

For me personally, I'm not planning to move to Vista now for day-to-day
use, so I will likely start with the x64 version. So I do not like this
development at all.

Also, I'm not sure we ever got clarification on whether, having
initially selected the x86 version, one can subsequently reinstall using
the 64-bit version (using the same Vista retail license).

David Wilkinson
Visual C++ MVP

 

[J. Edyvane]

John:

Surely the Business version should also come with 64-bit. This is
madness.
For me personally, I'm not planning to move to Vista now for
day-to-day use, so I will likely start with the x64 version. So I do
not like this development at all.

Also, I'm not sure we ever got clarification on whether, having
initially selected the x86 version, one can subsequently reinstall
using the 64-bit version (using the same Vista retail license).

Sorry, I can't comment on this. Maybe John Barnes or Colin Barnhost will
have some insights here.

I would also like to use the 64 bit version, although I have some legacy
digital camera software which doesn't work with it. I am willing to
sacrifice that - in time. I presume all users will have to make the change
by the time Vienna ships.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Yes, you can use the same license so long as you do not use it for more than
one of the editions at a time. Installing x64 on the same partition on
which you already installed x86 will automatically keep you in compliance
because x64 requires a clean installation, thus removing the x86. What you
cannot do is have x86 installed one place and x64 another at the same time.
That would require a second license.

 

[John Barnes]

Unlike Colin, I have no inside information. Darrell did answer one of my
posts that, at least with the upgrade version, you could not cross install.
Don't know if this has changed.

Hello John,
You do have to be inside the same platform of the OS to run setup. So you
cannot run 64-bit setup from within a 32-bit OS nor can you run 32-bit
setup from within a 64-bit OS
Thanks,
Darrell Gorter[MSFT]

 

[John Barnes]

Reading my previous post, I didn't mean to suggest that with the full
version there would be any problem. I see no reason that you would not be
able to install either version you want to. As Colin has stated, only one
at a time.

 

[John Barnes]

Replying to only one point, I have had a printer fully work under Vista64
that I had to use a crippled driver for in XP X64.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

We all seem to be getting rather fixated on the Upgrade questions, are'nt
we?

 

[John Barnes]

It's being kept such a mystery ) How long since any MSFT employee has
posted on the topic.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Well, remember they had a four-day weekend in Redmond. I started emailing
contacts this morning. Knowing what Monday after a four-day weekend is like
for most folks, I don't expect to hear much today.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I just got a response from my MVP lead. He is tracking down the best person
for answering our questions.