64 bit newbie

acheryl

New Member
It was not my plan to buy 64 bit Vista Home Premium but I did. I keep reading scary stuff. Presumably the hardware drivers that come with the machine work :) but are there things to look for? Will my software work? 64 bit is a new world for me. :confused: I need some directions please. My plan was to use it as a server but a working server in that if I were in the same room I could use it as a computer. Thanks.

AMG Phenom 9100e quad core processor
4 GB DDR2 dual channel memory
640 GB hard drive
 

My Computer

System One

  • Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATO Radeon HD 3200
    Hard Drives
    640 GB
Hi, acheryl, and welcome to the forums.

The biggest thing to worry about is drivers for hardware in a 64bit OS- in terms of software, the 64bit OS will allow the use of 32bit and 64bit software to run.

Now, that doesn't mean all 32 bit software will automatically run. Some older software, especially those written before Vista was a gleam in Bill Gates' eyes, were written to use full access to manipulate resources on the system - IOW, they gained access to devices that Vista now restricts access to - this is not a problem of 32bit versus 64bit - it is a problem of older, poorly written code and Vista in general.

There may be a few software that will run in XP that simply will not in Vista 64, but those are few and far between, Also, another major issue is that in Vista you need to have signed device drivers, so most likely 3rd party drivers will not work.

That is also something to keep in mind whenever you buy a new device - research it first on the Internet - will it work with Vista 64bit?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro X64 Insider Preview (Skip Ahead) latest build
    Manufacturer/Model
    The Beast Model V (homebrew)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 965 EE @ 3.6 GHz
    Motherboard
    eVGA X58 Classified 3 (141-GT-E770-A1)
    Memory
    3 * Mushkin 998981 Redline Enhanced triple channel DDR3 4 GB CL7 DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3-12800)
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0 (04G-P4-3979-KB)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio (onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 * Lenovo LT2323pwA Widescreeen
    Screen Resolution
    2 * 1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SanDisk Ultra SDSSDHII-960G-G25 960 GB SATA III SSD (System)
    Crucial MX100 CT256MX100SSD1 256GB SATA III SSD (User Tree)
    2 * Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA II Mech. HD
    Seagate ST1500DL001-9VT15L Barracuda 7200.12 1.5 TB S
    PSU
    Thermaltake Black Widow TX TR2 850W 80+ Bronze Semi-Mod ATX
    Case
    ThermalTake Level 10 GT (Black)
    Cooling
    Corsair H100 (CPU, dual 140 mm fans on radiator) + Air (2 *
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 (gen 2)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master (shared)
    Internet Speed
    AT&T Lightspeed Gigabit duplex
  • Operating System
    Sabayon Linux (current, weekly updates, 5.1.x kernel)
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad E545
    CPU
    AMD A6-5350M APU
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Radeon HD (Embedded)
    Sound Card
    Conextant 20671 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Lenovo 15" Matte
    Screen Resolution
    1680 * 1050
    Hard Drives
    INTEL Cherryvill 520 Series SSDSC2CW180A 180 GB SSD
    PSU
    Lenovo
    Case
    Lenovo
    Cooling
    Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master (shared) | Synaptics TouchPad
    Keyboard
    Lenovo
    Internet Speed
    AT&T LightSpeed Gigabit Duplex
It was not my plan to buy 64 bit Vista Home Premium but I did. I keep reading scary stuff. Presumably the hardware drivers that come with the machine work :) but are there things to look for? Will my software work? 64 bit is a new world for me. :confused: I need some directions please. My plan was to use it as a server but a working server in that if I were in the same room I could use it as a computer. Thanks.

AMG Phenom 9100e quad core processor
4 GB DDR2 dual channel memory
640 GB hard drive

You've got yourself a very nice mach there, Acheryl. I myself am using the Phenom 9600 Quad.

But to answer your question, there's all that much visual/operational difference between x86 and x64 versions of Vista, except perhaps that Vista x64 can use more memory, and performs alot better because of better memory management and the enforcement of signed drivers.

The one issue you'll likely encounter is with the installation of some older software. If a program is 32-Bit, but uses a 16-Bit installer program, then you will not be able to use that program. 16-Bit programs are not supported by Windows Vista x64.

Other than that, most 32-bit software written for XP will work without problems on Vista x64. Some of them may require the use of compatibility mode, or the installation of an update, but you shouldn't have any problems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    AMD Phenom 9600 Quad
    Motherboard
    ASUS MB-M3A32-MVP Deluxe/WiFi
    Memory
    2 x A-Data 2GB DDR2-800
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ATI Radeon HD 2400PRO
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAHARA 21"
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    2 x 80GB Seagate (I)
    2 x 120GB Seagate (I/S)
    2 x 200GB Seagate (I/S)
    2 x 250GB Seagate (I/S)
    PSU
    800W
    Case
    Thermaltake Tai-Chi
    Cooling
    Tai-Chi Water Cooler
    Keyboard
    Genius
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    384kbps
    Other Info
    Currently dual booting between Vista x64 Ultimate Windows 7 BETA x64
I bought the machine -- memory, hard drive, wireless -- and failed to notice the OS although I did specifically say, "this machine has Vista Home Premium, right." I didn't mention 32 bit. :o

I'm ready to give it a go. Thanks for the information. I'm definitely the first on the block or even among my computer friends. I'll keep the third party drivers thing in mind. If I recall from times past that means certain functions on, say, MFC, are not available.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATO Radeon HD 3200
    Hard Drives
    640 GB
They may have assumed that because you were buying a 64-bit cpu, you wanted the matching OS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel E8400 3GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel DX48BT2
    Memory
    Kingston PC3-10666 4Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX 9800 GTX XXX
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster X-Fi XtremeMusic
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2x Samsung SM-T220HD 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050 on two monitors
    Hard Drives
    WD Raptor X/150Gb in RAID0
    WD Raptor 36gb
    3x Samsung F1 1Tb
    PSU
    Thermaltake ToughPower 850w
    Case
    Thermaltake Armor
    Cooling
    Tuniq Tower 120
    Keyboard
    Dell Multimedia Enhanced USB
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback 3G
    Internet Speed
    8128/832
    Other Info
    Thermaltake Muse esata caddy
Or the 4 GB of RAM.....
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro X64 Insider Preview (Skip Ahead) latest build
    Manufacturer/Model
    The Beast Model V (homebrew)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 965 EE @ 3.6 GHz
    Motherboard
    eVGA X58 Classified 3 (141-GT-E770-A1)
    Memory
    3 * Mushkin 998981 Redline Enhanced triple channel DDR3 4 GB CL7 DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3-12800)
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0 (04G-P4-3979-KB)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio (onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 * Lenovo LT2323pwA Widescreeen
    Screen Resolution
    2 * 1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SanDisk Ultra SDSSDHII-960G-G25 960 GB SATA III SSD (System)
    Crucial MX100 CT256MX100SSD1 256GB SATA III SSD (User Tree)
    2 * Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA II Mech. HD
    Seagate ST1500DL001-9VT15L Barracuda 7200.12 1.5 TB S
    PSU
    Thermaltake Black Widow TX TR2 850W 80+ Bronze Semi-Mod ATX
    Case
    ThermalTake Level 10 GT (Black)
    Cooling
    Corsair H100 (CPU, dual 140 mm fans on radiator) + Air (2 *
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 (gen 2)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master (shared)
    Internet Speed
    AT&T Lightspeed Gigabit duplex
  • Operating System
    Sabayon Linux (current, weekly updates, 5.1.x kernel)
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad E545
    CPU
    AMD A6-5350M APU
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Radeon HD (Embedded)
    Sound Card
    Conextant 20671 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Lenovo 15" Matte
    Screen Resolution
    1680 * 1050
    Hard Drives
    INTEL Cherryvill 520 Series SSDSC2CW180A 180 GB SSD
    PSU
    Lenovo
    Case
    Lenovo
    Cooling
    Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master (shared) | Synaptics TouchPad
    Keyboard
    Lenovo
    Internet Speed
    AT&T LightSpeed Gigabit Duplex
The pros of vista 64bit outway the cons of vista 64bit.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I5 3570K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77-DS3H
    Memory
    4 x 4GB corsair ballistix sport DDR3 1600 Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Geforce GTX 660 TI
    Sound Card
    creative x-fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Primary CiBox 22" Widescreen LCD ,Secondary Dell 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    Both 1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    2 x 500G HD (SATA) 1 x 2TB USB
    PSU
    Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Complient PSU
    Case
    Antec 900 Ultimate Gaming Case
    Cooling
    3 x 80mm tri led front, 120mm side 120mm back, 200mm top
    Keyboard
    Logik
    Mouse
    Technika TKOPTM2
    Internet Speed
    288 / 4000
    Other Info
    Creative Inspire 7.1 T7900 Speakers
    Trust Graphics Tablet

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Q6600
    Motherboard
    MSI P36 NEO2
    Memory
    4GB 5-5-5-12
    Graphics Card(s)
    8800GTS 512Mb Overclocked
    Sound Card
    5.1 surround sound
    Hard Drives
    500Gb Samsung SATAII XP
    500GB Samsung SATAII
    PSU
    1000W CoolerMaster power supply
    Case
    CoolerMaster Cosmos 1000 case
    Cooling
    120mm ThermalTake Big Typhoon CPU cooler, 3 x 120mm exhaust
    Keyboard
    Wireless Keyboard and mouse 3000
    Other Info
    1TB WD My Book Office edition external drive x 2, Dual layer LG DVD-Rom burner,
    15 in 1 card reader
    Triple boot: XP, Vista Ultimate 64 and Windows 7 Ultimate 64
Really, you guys think the stock clerk at Circuit City seriously considered what I was buying when I picked up my online order? :p

It was my fault entirely but I it might be a happy error. :party: I think with a little help from the folks here it will be fine. Worst thing so far is that the printer drivers for the network MFC only are printer drivers, won't run the scanner part. Since I have a laptop which can run the scanner wirelessly it isn't a major issue. It won't run the color network MFC at all but I rarely use that and, again, the laptop will.

Interestingly, when I actually looked at the paperwork, they gave me a disk for the 32 bit if I can't live with 64 bit and chose to go to 32 bit. It discourages you from doing it by reminding you what you are giving up.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATO Radeon HD 3200
    Hard Drives
    640 GB
Which printer/scanner are you talking about?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I5 3570K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77-DS3H
    Memory
    4 x 4GB corsair ballistix sport DDR3 1600 Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Geforce GTX 660 TI
    Sound Card
    creative x-fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Primary CiBox 22" Widescreen LCD ,Secondary Dell 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    Both 1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    2 x 500G HD (SATA) 1 x 2TB USB
    PSU
    Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Complient PSU
    Case
    Antec 900 Ultimate Gaming Case
    Cooling
    3 x 80mm tri led front, 120mm side 120mm back, 200mm top
    Keyboard
    Logik
    Mouse
    Technika TKOPTM2
    Internet Speed
    288 / 4000
    Other Info
    Creative Inspire 7.1 T7900 Speakers
    Trust Graphics Tablet
Really, you guys think the stock clerk at Circuit City seriously considered what I was buying when I picked up my online order? :p

Yes!!

Since you bought 4gig of ram you needed a 64bit OS, think about how many times people have bought 4gig of ram and a 32bit OS just to go back to the shop complaining that all the ram doesn't work!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Workstation
    Manufacturer/Model
    doofenshmirtz evil incorporated
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5950X
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Formula
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO Black 64GB (4x16GB) 3600MHz AMD Ryzen Tuned DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT 16GB ROG Strix LC OC
    Sound Card
    Creative
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x27" Dell U2724D & 1 x 34" Dell U3415W
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 1TB M.2 2280 PCI-e 4.0 x4 NVMe Solid State
    Drive
    PSU
    1500W ThermalTake Toughpower
    Case
    ThermalTake Level 10 GT
    Cooling
    Enermax Liqtech 240
    Keyboard
    Surface Ergonomic.
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance MX
    Internet Speed
    350 Mb/s
    Other Info
    WinTV NovaTD
    HP CP1515n Color Laser
    Sony BD-5300S-0B Blu-ray Writer
    Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
    APC 750i Smart UPS
  • Operating System
    windows 10
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Pro 3
    CPU
    1.9GHz Intel Core i5-4300U (dual-core, 3MB cache, up to 2.9GHz with Turbo Boost)
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4400
    Monitor(s) Displays
    12" Multi Touch
    Screen Resolution
    2160 x 144
    Hard Drives
    128GB
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Keyboard
    yes
    Internet Speed
    350 Mb/s
Personally, I've found almost Nothing that I've needed or wanted that won't run on Vista 64bit. Also, almost All major hardware makers now have 64bit drivers for things as it's now been awhile since 64bit started to become more mainstream and they've caught up. In the beginning there were a few h'ware makers still in Beta with drivers, and some not even at that level yet, but those days are almost gone now.

One thing I WILL strongly suggest tho, is the Vista Codec Pack by Shark007 and make sure you get the 64bit pack, and the Tool package is also very handy. It's a compilation of all available working CODECS in one lightweight package and takes care of the Biggest Vista headache...CODECS.

Also, like Roy asks...which scanner do you have? My scanner's maker didn't release any Vista drivers so I was out of luck until I found Vuescan, which makes my scanner even more functional now than it EVER was with the original driver/program on XP.
It now supports over 750 flatbed scanner models and it's not free but WOW..is it a Lifesaver for folks like me with a 5 year old scanner that's no longer supported.

You'll like 64bit, even tho you can't really find anything that's fully optimized for 64bit yet, but that's not far off either.

Good Luck!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Personal Build
    CPU
    Intel E6750 Core 2 Duo
    Motherboard
    Asus Commando MoBo (P965/ICH8R)
    Memory
    4G's Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR2 PC26400 RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    BFG 8800GTS OC2 320MB
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Platinum FATAL1TY (next)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 22" w2207 LCD Monitors
    Screen Resolution
    1- 1680 x 1050, 1 - 1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    3 x 500G SATA II WD Caviar HDD's
    PSU
    EnerMax NoiseTaker II 600W
    Case
    NZXT Lexa Classic (modified, dual doored & windowed)
    Cooling
    Zalman 9700 CPU cooler, 4-120mm fans, 1-90mm
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical Trackman trackball
    Other Info
    NZXT Lexa Classic Case, Zalman 9700 CPU Cooler, 2 DVD Burners c/w LightScribe (Sony, TSST), Enermax NoiseTaker II 600W PSU with Custom Chrome cable sleeving, Hauppauge HDTV TV Tuner Card, 5.1 Logitech Z5500 speakers, 15 in 1 Multi-card reader
Printer is a Brother MFC7820N. It's a B&W laser. It works for me. Interestingly, the VERY OLD HP LJ4100 driver works but the Brother printer driver works too, just not the scanner.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATO Radeon HD 3200
    Hard Drives
    640 GB
I knew 4 MB RAM was more than the 32 bit OS could handle. However, they told me 2 was enough for Vista -- that's what is on the laptop -- and it is not so I was maxing out. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATO Radeon HD 3200
    Hard Drives
    640 GB
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