Solved Going 64

This has probably been posted and answered elsewhere but did not find the exact answer I was looking for... I want to go from my retail version of 32bit vista and install my 64bit retail version .. I have been researching the crap out of this and I believe I have downloaded all drivers necessary to begin the process of swapping (I know clean install !) I am also going to change my video to 2 crossfired ATI 4670s possibly go with a faster hard drive..This rig used mostly for e-mail and games so it is not like I need 32bit. I have moved all my music, pictures and games to a second 160 gig harddrive..My printer is kind of out there on the internet so to speak as it is connected to my router.. Am I missing something ?? I wanted to check before doing the deed.. Thanks for all the help




Running vista business 32bit on Intel D975XBX2 mainboard, 4gigs ddr 667 1.86 core2 duo twin 160gig seagate drives and a Nvidia 7900gs video card..

Heres a general list:

Documents
pictures or photos
music
email
email addresses
favorites
make a list of any programs that you have installed and which to install again

also is you have more than one user account on that computer you will need to repeat this backup process for each account.

burn all the files to a cd/dvd or move to another hard disk.

There maybe others you need to backup so go through the hard drive with windows explorer to make sure.

I really appreciate the quick response.. I use windows live mail on my desktop and I do wish to keep this and all my emails..How do I save it or move it?? I have already moved all pics and music... Thanks again

Hi Aylen, and welcome to Vista Forums.

In WLM, you can click on File, Export, Messages, Microsoft Windows Live Mail to save them somewhere like a USB flash drive or DVD. When you are ready to restore them after the reinstall, click on File, Import, Messages, Windows Live Mail to load them from where you saved them above.

If you do not have the File toolbar menu option, then click on the icon to the left of the blue circle ? and click on Show all menus to check it.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Now if I could just get my windows contacts to copy.. I think I will have it... Thanks for the help

Exporting them isn't working for you?

Aylen,

You should be able to do the Export/Import option from within the Contacts window to. Just select the same export format used to import them back. Your Hotmail contacts for Windows Live Mail will be stored online, so they should be restored when you install and login next with Window Live Mail.

Something I forgot to ask.. Since my motherboard drivers are the same for both 32bit and 64, will I just be able to drop in the dvd and install or will I need those separate for during the process ??

If the dvd comes with 64-bit drivers yes but after an install i always download the latest other than using the enclosed cd/dvd.

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the help all have provided here.. I have posted questions in other forums and after long periods of time I still do not have a response..I believe I have one last question and that is, Would it be better to wait until I have all the parts (new video cards for crossfiring) and then go 64 or just go ahead and take the plunge now and then change the cards later... Also can anyone tell me would I get better results with lets say a 4850 ati card or 2 4670's crossfired.. I cannot afford to do 2 4850 right now

Aylen,

As long as you have 64 bit drivers for all of your devices and a 64 bit CPU, then I would say go ahead and take the plunge if you like. You can always install the new graphics card later.

I'm not sure about what be better with what card to get though with ATI brands.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

IMO....i would buy a 4850 now & then you can add one later on, also by using one card you have less risk of compatibility issues.

1 4850 out performs an 8800GT & mine currently runs everything!!. 2 4850s scale very well & will out perform a 4870
2 4670s wont even out perform 1 4850, but 2 4850s = WIN (in this scenario)


so this would be a better route than CFX 4670s

in regards to waiting for the card/cards before you install the OS, i would do it now, this will give you time to get it installed & loaded with all your Data, then when your cards arrive the OS is one lees thing to worry about.

SK

Thanks all for the help.. I was really going to go with the 4670s but now I think I will go with the 4850 and in time get a second card to crossfire..Looking forward to the outcome..My old 7900gs has been a good card for a really long time but it is time for it to be retired to the "ol computer closet".. Once again many thanks for all the responses...

To all that have helped, I just wanted to update that I have gone 64 now and also upgraded my video from a old Nvidia 7900gs to a smokin Sapphire Toxic 4850..System uis just rolling along now...Contemplating a faster processor now and not sure which one.. Running a Intel core2 duo 1.86 now.. may also go for faster drive.. My drives are Sata 1.5s now 7200rpm. I hear those velociraptors are fast!.. As always any thoughts or responses would be appreciated

Aylen1957 said:

Running a Intel core2 duo 1.86 now.. may also go for faster drive.. My drives are Sata 1.5s now 7200rpm. I hear those velociraptors are fast!.. As always any thoughts or responses would be appreciated

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I take it you're primarily a gamer? If so, don't waste your money on a Raptor; instead, get a faster cpu to complement your new video card. Other than loading the map, which 7200 rpm drives do within .5 to 3 seconds of Raptors, dependent on the game, games don't use the hard drive while gaming... everything is done in RAM.

I would not say that I am primarily a gamer but I do have several race and flight simulators that do not need all the power to run but they do well with this rig... I guess the bottom line is "If I can go faster why not?"..Thanks a lot for the advice!

Aylen1957 said:

I guess the bottom line is "If I can go faster why not?"..Thanks a lot for the advice!

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Don't get me wrong, I'm all for going faster. :D If you use some apps that can actually take advantage of a faster hard drive, then by all means get yourself a Raptor, it's just that those apps are few and far between. I was only trying to point out that as far as gaming goes, hard drives don't matter... just trying to save you a buck or two.

Thanks again. I will probably go for a 7200 but sata 3s versus the 1.5s I have now as they will probably be quicker...If you were going to up the processor on this board would you go quad core or stick with the core2 duo and up the speed?

Until games can use all 4 cores then quads are a waste of money and a waste of cores. Of course, if there's some other app you use that can take advantage of a quad, then I guess it can be justified, but the difference between dual and quad core performance is nominal. This is the non-technical answer.

The technical answer would be this:

sidewinder said:

... In regards to utilizing multiple cores, that's not really a choice programmers make. Compilers are used to generate apps and they control how multiple processors are used. Most (all) games today are written higher level languages that offer the programmer no ability to specify anything in relation to multiple cores. Also, most of the work is done by the video card hardware and DirectX so multiple cores is of no real help.

You want better game performance? Get the fastest dual-core processor you can afford and get the biggest baddest video card you can get. Two if your mobo supports it!

S-

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