Vista x64 Trial

I have been poking around Google and such for the last day and can't seem to find a definite answer. Is there a trial version of vista x64 that I can download so I can make sure everything runs the way it does under xp before I purchase vista? I can't see spending the money on an OS and finding out that the system dosen't perform right, things crash or are incompatible. I don't want to be downloading anything off bittorrent, just looking for something where I know the source is legit and not full of extra junk. I have been afraid to make the switch because of all the bad publicity and whatnot going around about it, but I want to see for myself what vista will do for my apps and on my system.

scottd34 said:

I have been poking around Google and such for the last day and can't seem to find a definite answer. Is there a trial version of vista x64 that I can download so I can make sure everything runs the way it does under xp before I purchase vista? I can't see spending the money on an OS and finding out that the system dosen't perform right, things crash or are incompatible. I don't want to be downloading anything off bittorrent, just looking for something where I know the source is legit and not full of extra junk. I have been afraid to make the switch because of all the bad publicity and whatnot going around about it, but I want to see for myself what vista will do for my apps and on my system.

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Why worry about a download? Just find a friend who already has Vista x64, then use his DVD to install. Just don't use a key, and you'll get (I think) 30 days use.

What you could also do, is contact your local PC supplier, and ask about purchasing the Vista x64 DVD without a serial. I know this can be done with Office 2007 at a negligible cost (Here, in South Africa, at R 70 which is about US$ 10), and a serial can be purchased later at the normal price.

Also have a look on the Microsoft website. You might find what you're looking for there. (Windows Vista: Home Page)

I don't know anyone who has vista 64, and those few that i know that do have a version of vista got it preinstalled on whatever computer they bought (and of course, nowadays you can hardly get a restore disc, let alone a windows disc). I can try a local computer shop, there isnt many around but i never thought to ask them.. I have tried the ms site, but nothing that I have been able to see so far.. that site is huge and a bit tough to wade through at times.

scottd34 said:

I don't know anyone who has vista 64, and those few that i know that do have a version of vista got it preinstalled on whatever computer they bought (and of course, nowadays you can hardly get a restore disc, let alone a windows disc). I can try a local computer shop, there isnt many around but i never thought to ask them.. I have tried the ms site, but nothing that I have been able to see so far.. that site is huge and a bit tough to wade through at times.

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I certainly hope you manage to find one, but if not, perhaps a bit of encouragement is in order.

For me, Vista x64 worked beautifully, right from day one, with the exception of my scanner. No real loss, since I hardly ever used it anyway.

What you ned to do is go to the websites of all your device manufacturers, and see if Vista x64 drivers are available for them. You need to check for the following (in order of preference):

• Motherboard
• Display
• Sound
• Printers
• Digital Cameras
• Scanners
• Cell Phones (Good luck with this one!)

While I understand your hesitation at spending an awful lot of money on Vista x64, my advice to you is this:

If you can find Vista x64 drivers (NOT XPx64. They won't work) for all of your devices, then there's a very good chance that your experience with Vista x64 will be a good one, and you should take the chance and go x64. I did that over a year ago when it first released, and I haven't looked back.

Application compatibility is astounding, even among some older games (i.e. Diablo II, Empire Earth, etc.).

>> Just find a friend who already has Vista x64, then use his DVD to install. Just don't use a key, and you'll get (I think) 30 days use.

You can use Vista for far longer than 30 days before having to purchase. If you're keeping all of your data on a seperate drive then going through a reinstall process every 120 days is trivial.