64bit OS

What are the disadvantages of running a 64bit OS?

 

Harder to find compatible drivers with 64bit signature.
Not many software optimized to run under 64bit processing (which is one of the points to installing 64bit). You will also need atleast 3GB of ram to run it well (from my point of view as ram usage shot up to 70% when i first installed it..). Thats all i can think of. Oh and 16bit software does not run anymore.
If you can get past that, i find 64bit very good and smooth.

 

Long story short, You need to. The more people that convert, the better support all of us will receive. =D

 

Yes, we need more people.

I also believe that he amount of memory vista uses as a base depends on your ammount of RAM. Got 3 computers on Vista the more RAM on it, the more vista uses.

 

Question on the recommended ram for 64bit Vista OS, my brothers pc has 2gb RAM on a C2D E650, and its 32bit, is this enough ram for 64bit for whenever i do a clean install for him?

 

64-bit operating systems don't have specific RAM requirements, however they do allow for greater memory addressing. In other words, a 64-bit OS can use 4GB or more of memory.

 

Well i understand about the addressing of more memory, but sorry i wasn't clear, what i meant to ask was what is the optimum amount is needed for performance, say 2gb is the sweetspot for vista 32bit, does 2gb apply to 64bit? i have 3gb at the moment and its fine for me.

 

2Gb will work just fine. You will find with most that, once you have gone to 64Bit, you just wont go back no matter what.

Its kinda like having the bentley when everyone else has the Jag...okok a bit extreme.

I find 64Bit to be much more stable and there is just a better feeling with it. I test SSDs almost daily and, therefore install and uninstall and try configurations on a regular basis and I use 64bit. I just can't get this darn thing to crash.

As for performance, there is alot of validity in the fact that there is even a performance boost with 32 bit applications and not just 64 bit applications.

Last but not least...its a chore to get it set up just how you will like it. Your going to have to tweak things just right (hint hint see below the sig) and find the right drivers and so on....

When your done, maybe you can pull off a PCMark score like this on your laptop... (And ya I know...puny lil graphics score but look at that HD)

 

My current x64 install was on 2GB memory for a while, and it ran just fine. I agree that Vista will use more memory if it is available, and I did see a performance improvement when moving to 4GB, albeit a small one. Becomes more apparent when you push your computer, but 2GB will certainly do.

With current RAM prices, 4GB has become a "why not?" move, and x64 will make use of it given the opportunity. For slightly older systems, you may need kb929777 (Google it), but other than that I can't think of a reason why you shouldn't make the migration to 64-bit.

Regards,
Paolo

 

Thanks for the replies Flamenko and Paolo.
Regards to Paolo, well my brother's only 15 with a recently purchased 2gb Geil performance RAM 2 months ago lol.
I too made that change from 32bit to 64bit because of curiosity on its performance and apart from a webcam driver issue(which was fixed on when my gf got me a new one with vista drivers), 64bit is a amazing feeling and not once i felt like reverting back to 32bit =).
Btw flamenko i have used your tweak guide and it works amazingly! I will do the same to my brother's pc when he wants to do a clean format haha.
Thanks again for the replies!

edit- Flamenko my scores would never match up, not with a C2D T5500, GForce go 7400 and a 100gb 5,400rpm HD.

 

The reason that 64-bit OSes use more memory is that the definitions of the required space for each of each type of value (can't think of the name now but for example, int (32->64 bits), short(16->32 bits), char (8->16 bits), long(64->128 bits), etc) is increased to allow for greater precision, but this comes with the penalty of most everything needing a little bit more memory due to the extra precision. But when you have 2+ GB this doesn't really matter since you've likely got extra as it is.

 

If I have some 32 bit programs, will they work fine in the 64 bit environment? Like I have MS Office 32 bit, and I don't have money to buy the 64 bit version (if there is), same goes for Photoshop 7.

 

I have found that most work fine. Office should work fine, but I have heard of issues with Photoshop, though most of what I've heard is regarding CS3. At times, Vista will actually notify you upon install (for instance, when I installed Photoshop Elements, it told me that it was a known problem that it would not work in Vista x64). I've found that if/when the programs won't work, you can either find a forum telling you why and/or how to fix it, or Vista simply won't let you install.

Hope that helps. I don't have a list of what does/doesn't work, but that should get you started.

 

For the most part, yes. The biggest misconception is that you need all 64bit apps to use 64bit Vista. THIS IS NOT TRUE. Almost all 32bit applications will work exactly the same as on a 32bit version. The only exceptions are drivers and anything that adds itself to the right-click menu of explorer.

 

I'd probably have 90% of my softwares in 64 Bit version, but there still would be some which wouldn't work (although I don' think so). As for the drivers, I have started downloading them from DELL's website, and I'll should get all of them.

Anything else I should need to know before buying Vista Ultimate (is there a standalone 64 Bit version of Vista? I already have the 32 Bit Home Premium from DELL.).

I'm thinking while I have used Vista for over 3 months now and am familiar with it, why not go to the 64 Bit now as well, and get ready for the future fully while I am at it?

 

I've used Office 2003, Office 2007, and Photoshop CS - all 32-bit apps - successfully on Vista x64.

Regards,
Paolo

 

Not sure what you mean here. 32bit apps will work just fine on 64bit Vista. The only problem software is that which needs drivers, like itunes (but there's a fix for that). Please elaborate on why you think the remaining software will not work.

Yes, you need to know that you don't need to buy a new version of Vista to get 64bit. You can get the 64bit anytime upgrade dvd for $5, and use that to install the 64bit version of Home Premium. If you want Ultimate, yes, you need to buy it. You already have a license for Home premium, so there's no need to buy another one.

 

What I meant was, there might be some software which won't work, there have to be, there's always a catch with Microsoft. Although, if there are not, and all work fine, then it's great.

And as for Anytime Upgrade, really? For such a low price? I always thought only Vista Ultimate had a 64 bit version so I had to buy that. Will the Anytime Upgrade work with the key that DELL provided me (well they didn't, but there's one on the botom of my notebook). Also, will it be some kind of an add-on, or a whole new disc, which is bootable, like the one I have from DELLL, only it'll be 64 bit? Will the two DVDs (the 32 bit Home Premium and the 64 Bit Anytime Upgrade) be used at the same time? Otherwise anyone can buy the 64 Bit disc for $5!

Sorry for so many questions.

Thanks.

 

Great! Not available in India it seems, although I am surprised.

 

When talking about Vista and 32bit/64bit, it's helpful to think of the versions in 2 dimensions. You have the Vista version (SKU), and the architecture. Version is Home premium, ultimate, etc... Architecture (or "arch" for short) is 32bit or 64bit. This gives you:

32 bit	64 bit
Home Basic	Home Basic
Home Premium	Home Premium
Business	Business
Ultimate	Ultimate

All Versions (SKUs) of Vista are available in both architectures. There is no separate "64 bit version" that is different and unique to Home premium, ultimate, etc...

If you know someone who has the 64bit disc, you can use that, but make sure you use your license key.

It would be very helpful for you to read my "clean vista install" guide (see my sig), as it goes over most of this and I also wrote a tool that saves you from dealing with activation. The hardest part is getting the DVD.

The anytime upgrade DVD is identical to the retail and OEM dvds. The difference is that you get different types of licenses depending on which one you buy. The anytime upgrade comes with no license, so it's very cheap but you cannot use it unless you already have the license. You will only need the Dell DVD if it has other drivers on it that you will need.

 

Not true.
None of these datatypes are changed in 64-bit- An int is still 32 bits, char is 8 and so on.
The only difference is in pointers (which go form 32 to 64 bits), so it's not really a noticeable difference. (On the other hand, the actual code is generally more compact in 64-bit, which saves a bit of space)

 

i just wanted to comment quickly re: the 2 gigs of ram

i just upgraded from 2 gigs of ram to 4 gigs - in 32-bit vista home premium, of course, only 3 gigs showed up - and vista claimed to use 50% of my ram

in 64-bit ultimate, all 4 gigs show up - yet vista claims to be only using 25% of my ram - all in all - it looks like about a gig is used at any given point (of course, it does fluctuate as i use the computer more)

im thinking with a 64-bit os, 2 gigs of ram should be fine

but i will agree - at the prices - 4 gigs becomes a "why not?" - which is what it was in my case - lol

EDIT - and so far, the ONLY problem ive run into was with itunes - when i ran it the first time after install, i received an error - something about my cd-drive not being able to burn/import - i simply googled the error, clicked on the 2nd or 3rd link and downloaded a patch - all works wonderfully now

 

One explanation for reduced memory usage is that you just did a clean install of 64bit, and it's not running any bloatware or other applications you have installed. Also, over time Vista will learn your program usage and preload those into RAM. A new system doesn't have this data, so it would not load anything.

Also, Vista will eventually try to use all of our RAM. This is how it's supposed to be. RAM is very fast and expensive. If you have some laying around not being used, you are wasting that resource.

 

So, if I get this right, I just take a 64 Bit DVD from a friend, and boot from it, and enter my key, right? The one on the bottom of my notebok, or the one used by DELL (so as to bypass the activation everytime a user re-installs the OS)? I have a file which was made by someone at MSFN, which'll tell you the keys of the every Microsoft product installed in your system, and the one it shows for my Vista Home Premium, is different from what is at the bottom of the notebook.

Anyways, I'll do this as soon as I find someone with the 64 bit OS.

This is a tricky part, please bear with me. As I get it, if I get an Anytime Upgrade DVD, I'll just have to use my OEM key, and get it (the installation) over with, right? No need of the DELL OEM DVD, or anything else? If it is, then it's really simple, although it won't work for me as it is not available in India as of now. My family are going to Singapore/Malaysia/Thailand on this 20th, so I'll as them to get me one from there.

Also, I read a guide by Stallon (spelling?) before asking here, and now I'm reading yours'!

Thank you!

 

Yes, that's right. You can use the key on the bottom of your laptop, but for that you will need to call microsoft. If you use my ABR tool (in the guide), it will back up the key that's preinstalled, and also the activation certificate. You can then use ABR to restore it and you don't have to call microsoft. I suggest you do it this way and do not use the key on the bottom sticker.

Right, you don't need the Dell OEM DVD, as that one is 32bit, so it won't help you.

I wrote the original guide, and the ABR tool, then Dave at Dave's Computer Tips added some screenshots and hosted it on his site. Then stallen used both my guide and Dave's screenshots to make his guide, adding a lot of stuff specific to Lenovo laptops. Both guides have changed since then, but you will see that the basics are all similar to mine.

 

Thank you orev, you've been a great help. I wish there were some way to unlock (??) my OEM DVD to make it 64 bit, because I think all the Vista discs have the same data, but the installation depends on the key.

 

There is many Vista DVD.

1. Retail & Vista UPGanytime are the same one, there is one 32bits and one 64bits DVD. The serial number you enter decides wich version and if it's upgrade only

2. OEM DVDs only have their data on it. So a Prenium 32bits OEM DVD only have that.

 

As far as I know, the OEM dvd is the same as the retail and anytime upgrade dvd. They can "force" it to only install 1 of the versions, but I think that is done with some type of unattended file. If anyone has one of these DVDs (i think dell does this).

There are really 2 types of OEM discs, one you can buy from a place like newegg with an OEM license, and that has all of them. For the disc that forces you to one install, I don't know.

 

i just got an HP Pavilion 64bit with Vista Ultimate. 'cant seem to install other 32bit softwares.

i saw some postings about dual booting? how's that?

otherwise, what can i do? can i have a 32bit key or system to run my usual 32 bit progams?

 

i just got an HP Pavilion 64bit with Vista Ultimate. 'cant seem to install other 32bit softwares.

i saw some postings about dual booting? how's that?

otherwise, what can i do? can i have a 32bit key or system to run my usual 32 bit progams?

 

If the said software has a x64 version you must install it. This applies to diver/kernel related software (like deamon tool). Ordinary softwares don't have any problems...

What are you trying to install?

 

I have a DELL DVD. The upgrade is disabled, and I believe it is via some unattended file as well. Damn, I hope there is some way to find out how to get x64 out of it.

 

Well, I just looked inside the DELL OEM disk, and there are files, EULAs and other stuff for ALL the Vista versions. So that means that this disc has all the versions? Now how do I go ahead and get Vista Home Premium 64 bit? I don't think I can.

 

There might be a way to use this disc for a general clean install, however, it only has 32 bit versions on it. There is a totally separate disc for 64bit versions. I would be interested to find out some information about those files, if you don't mind helping me out. I will send you a PM.

 

It lists information for all the versions of Vista, but no mention of 64 Bit anywhere, so you're probably right. However, there is a file named PID, which has the DELL pre-activated key in it. I think, if someone makes an ISO of this DVD, changes the key inside that file (let's say he/she puts his/her Ultimate key instead of this (Home Premium)), he/she will get Ultimate.

I mean, the installation looks at this file for the key, and then looks at the key to find which version to install. So if it finds a Vista Ultimate key, it'll install Vista Ultimate, isn't it?

Also, please feel free to send me a PM, I'd be happy to help.

 

I have been running 64bit vista since I bought the new notebook in my sig. Been very happy with it so far. I found nearly all the 64bit drivers for my hardware (the most important part IMO).

There is a tiny amount of programs that may have issues running on 64 bit. Though all the 32-bit software I use, run just fine. Also its really great when your software or games can in fact run 64 bit. I play Hell Gate London 64 bit, and for a game thats very buggy on XP, its ironically very stable on my Vista 64 bit install.

Overall I have been very happy ... I have not run in any serious 64 bit driver issues to date.

With RAM being so cheap these days, I sure hope 64bit support will grow.