I give up!!! Back to 32 bit...?

I really had high hopes for x64 Vista. I put together a new system (specs below) that would be more than capable of handling the OS. I wanted to get the benefit of the full 4 GB of RAM as well as other potential benefits of x64.

But it has really been a disappointment. If the computer is on screensaver for too long, it locks up and won't respond to ctrl-alt-del or anything but a hard reboot (no, it's not in hibernate mode). I've had driver problems and I can't even get Rome Total War, my favorite strategy game, to play.

Is there any reason why I should keep x64 on?

Thanks

Core 2 Duo E6600
MSI P965 Platinum Mobo
4 GB DDR2 800 RAM
Raptor 150 GB HDD
BFG Tech 8800 GTS 640 MB
Creative Fatality Pro Gamer Sound Card
Vista Ultimate x64

Well....just hang on there mate till drivers mature .
I do agree there have been numerous problems with games in vista x64 but manufacturers are now starting to release patches/updates so tht games work with X64.
If you just cannot use the PC the way you like it then goin back to 32-bit(Vista,XP) seems the only option.(of course you will lose the 4GB functionality).

Reg the screensaver issue ....... i had read somewhere tht it was an issue with Nvidia Drivers.Try the latest ones.
Also try disbling UAC(User Account Control) and see if it solves the Problem.

Am sorry it dint work out for you mate .... but i guess this is what we X64 users will have to deal with till drivers and applications mature on 64-bit.

I gave up on it too. Then I reinstalled it after a few BIOS updates and a few new F8Floppy's. I had to deal with MS about reauthorizing but that was easy. So it works beautifully now. I had some driver issues for some older hardware, of course. So, I got some new hardware with Vista64 drivers. My RAID0 320 Gig is crazy fast, I load games and things on a 1TB RAID0 that is also blazing fast. I have all sorts of graphic and game hardware plugged into it and it is not phased in the least.
My initial install of x64 included a really nice 8 drive RAID controller that would do RAID6, that little gem was quite expensive and it completely baffled Vista 32/64, it is now collecting dust outside of the computer. I installed several times before I got it right and some installs quit halfway through, I kept at it and after a little research and tweaking I finally got it right. It was the longest install process I have ever run across, between getting the right floppy's for the RAID install or getting the memory voltage right and just getting used to Vista and it's quirks, I would say that it took about 2 weeks of constant work. (Good thing I just retired)
I see you didn't mention a PSU, your problems sound like that could be an issue. I have a 650 watt PSU and with my setup it is probably at the limit.

Bottom line - 64 is worth the trouble. But, it is a bear to install for the very first time on brand new hardware.

It takes a while for Vista to really get going as it learns about the way you do things and indexes the HDD. But it really is fast, just as fast as XP and faster with our new type hardware. I haven't turned anything off on mine and don't have to. I was leaning towards shutting off indexing but didn't as I was afraid to hose my latest installation, now I don't even notice it, but my searches are instantaneous.

P.S. I installed Vista on 4 other x32 computers and another x64 (with MSI P6N mobo) and they were very easy.

Asky said:

Reg the screensaver issue ....... i had read somewhere tht it was an issue with Nvidia Drivers.Try the latest ones.
Also try disbling UAC(User Account Control) and see if it solves the Problem.

Am sorry it dint work out for you mate .... but i guess this is what we X64 users will have to deal with till drivers and applications mature on 64-bit.

Click to expand...

I had to roll back from the latest Nvidia drivers because they were causing crashes in BF 2142. Maybe the next round of drivers will be ok, but who knows when they will come out. I really don't want to disable UAC because, even though it is annoying as hell most of the time, I like the idea that websurfing is safer with it. I did try that though, and still no luck.

I wonder how long it's going to take Vista to "mature" to stability?

hkancyr said:

I see you didn't mention a PSU, your problems sound like that could be an issue. I have a 650 watt PSU and with my setup it is probably at the limit.

Click to expand...

I have an Antec 650 watt PSU, and I am pretty sure I have more than enough power for everything.


So, all in all, besides the memory ceiling, what is really the benefit of x64 or x32?

Thanks!

Yeah that Antec sounds nice too. It should be just fine, even if you upgrade a few things in the future. As long as it is running OK, anyhow.
Besides the speed up of some games and apps and the memory thing, probably not remarkably different to me. I am counting on 64 bit being more and more mainstream. There are a lot of 32 bit apps and system items running and they somehow all play well with 64. I hope that MS updates make more and more of the OS to 64 bit.
But the reason I hung in there is because I bought all this neat stuff for the 64 bit system and I felt like a twit because I couldn't install it. I have built many 32 bit systems and it seemed unbelievable to me that 64 bit could be so difficult. (it was primarily the mobo, I believe) There have been 3 or 4 more BIOS's since I installed a couple months ago, plus updates to the sound and RAID drivers from Intel, so eventually other people are going to have a much easier time of it. At least with the configuration I used.
If you want to continue to x32, I've heard that it is a good idea to install with 2 GB RAM and install the the rest after the install. I installed x64 with full 4GB during my successful install by the way, so it is not a problem for the 64 bit version.
Have you tried to install without the sound card? That seems to be the only slightly likely culprit to me. RAM is always a culprit unless you have done the research to insure 100% compatibility with your mobo, and the RAM manufacturer should have a forum that will give you more tips on voltage with that mobo.
I got some really cheap memory for the x64 system I made for a friend with the MSI board and it wouldn't boot til I kicked up the voltage. I was worried that it was incompatible but it wasn't. It seems stupid to me that mobo manufacturers appear to default their memory voltage so low.
Do you have the Vista disc that installs whatever version you want or the OEM version? I had the OEM version, thats why I had to buy another disc with x32 on it.
Do you plan to put your computer on a network? If so, get ready for more weirdness. This is a Vista thing regardless of how many bits you use.