XP Pro and the 64 bit version

[Jim D]

I have recently upgraded to an AMD64 processor and im
still running XP Pro. Would there be any advantage in my
upgrading to the 64bit version?

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

I have recently upgraded to an AMD64 processor and im
still running XP Pro. Would there be any advantage in my
upgrading to the 64bit version?

1) There is no such thing as a 64-bit version - it is still beta
2) When it is finally released, I doubt very much whether there would be
an upgrade path as it would be Pro to Pro (someone correct me if I'm wrong
but AFAIK there will be no 64-bit Home version). You cannot upgrade Pro to
Pro, it would require a clean installation.
3) As to whether you'd see any advantage, it would be debatable as you'd
still be running 32-bit applications - raw OS tasks would be faster, as the
OS would be able to take advantage of the 64-bit CPU, but applications would
still be curtailed.
4) This is probably the most important point of all, as the OS is still
beta, there are few drivers available (and those that do exist are still
beta themselves). You *CANNOT* use 32-bit drivers under a 64-bit OS, just as
the reverse is also true.
5) As the OS is still beta, if you do decide to download and install it
please bear in mind that it is beta and, as such, installation as the sole
OS on a production system is *NOT* to be recommended. If you must install
it, I strongly recommend do so in a dual boot situation.

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

One additonal point - kind of a 2.1
There will not be an upgrade path as the release of the final product will
be an OEM release only and as such can only be installed to a clean hard
drive, there is no upgrade option.

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

One additonal point - kind of a 2.1
There will not be an upgrade path as the release of the final product
will be an OEM release only and as such can only be installed to a
clean hard drive, there is no upgrade option.

--

Regards,

Mike

Cheers, Mike. When you state "OEM only" do you mean OEM as in MCE (i.e. sold
with a new system only) or OEM as in available with any hardware purchase?

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Hello,

Well the OEM "should" be OEM in the sense that it comes with new systems and
also "may" be purchased with an appropriate piece of required hardware.

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups