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Thread: 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?

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    Taz
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    32-bit or 64-bit Windows?

    If I were to buy a new PC system, which version of Windows should I go for? I'm really talking about 32-bit or 64-bit Vista as I wouldn't want to get XP and then upgrade in a years time. I'm also talking about a pre-built off-the-shelf system so drivers (hopefully) shouldn't be an issue. The PC would not be used for gaming - just email, Web browsing and the odd document and spreadsheet.

    Are there any downsides to getting 64-bit Vista?

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    WEEEEEEEEEEEEE! MadduckUK's Avatar
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    Re: 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?

    The Downsides of 64-bit Windows Vista - Driver and application support - Softpedia

    i will however, when i do inevitably switch to fister, be going 64bit.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ephesians
    Do not be drunk with wine, which will ruin you, but be filled with the Spirit
    Vodka

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    Re: 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?

    64 bit all the way - cos ya might as well.

    TBH almost everything works ok - the only problem is driver signing is enforced meaning you can't use beta drivers (which you have to at this stage) by default. There's two way's round this though - either turn it off at boot (F8) or permanently disable it (which i've done).

    Vista 64 is well supported - XP 64 really wasn't by comparison.
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    Re: 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?

    I haven't had any driver problems for the Vista 64 bit other than Logitech couldn't be bothered to release a webcam driver that worked with any incarnation of Vista (32 or 64bit). So the driver support is the only downside, but hopefully shouldn't be much of an issue by now as everyone should have Vista drivers out there.

    Saying that, there aren't too many upsides of 64 bit Vista I can think of other than a few games that support 64 bit OS/CPU. No applications I'm aware of are optimized for 64 bit CPUs other than IE 7 64 bit which is hidden away as MS prefer you to use the 32 bit version by default, and IE7 is terrible compared to the free competition anyway.

    If its cheaper and you're not interested in games I can't see any disadvantage in going for the 32 bit version, but if they're the same price go for the 64 bit because you might as well.

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    Taz
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    Re: 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?

    ^ You've reminded me! I've got a Logitech webcam as well. I'll be making a list of everything that I plug into my current (XP) PC to see which drivers are available.

    By the way, the cost of the OEM version of 32-bit and 64-bit Vista Ultimate is just about the same.

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    Does he need a reason? Funkstar's Avatar
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    Re: 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?

    are you using any Adobe software other than Acrobat?

    Lightroom and Photoshop have issues with 64bit Vista, probably the same with others in their creative lineup.

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    Re: 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?

    Quote Originally Posted by Funkstar View Post
    are you using any Adobe software other than Acrobat?

    Lightroom and Photoshop have issues with 64bit Vista, probably the same with others in their creative lineup.
    No, just Acrobat.

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    Re: 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?

    I have another question. I am gathering all the software and drivers that I will need for Vista 64-bit (in case I decide to go to Vista). I am downloading the latest PC Suite from the Sony Ericsson site for my phone. It just says "Sony Ericsson PC Suite 2.10.46 (for Windows Vista/XP)" on the download page. I assume that if an application does not specify 32-bit or 64-bit then it will work with both?

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    Does he need a reason? Funkstar's Avatar
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    Re: 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?

    Should do, but there is always scope for issues. Depends on how hacked together that particular piece of software is

    SE have been guilty in the past of writing really horrible software. There used to be a problem where the PC suite required a couple of files that were left behind in the windows temp directory. If you deleted them, you ran into a re-install loop every time you ran the app. You needed to re-install over the top from the download.

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    Taz
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    Re: 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?

    ^ I remember the problems in the old PC Suite very well indeed! I used to keep a copy of those temp files and just copy them back if I ever ran a disk cleaner.

    The current PC Suite is totally different. It looks more professional, more integrated and works very well. I've run CCleaner and ZDelete Auto-Cleaner and never had any issues.

    I've managed to find Vista drivers/apps for everything that I currently use apart from a driver/software for a Plantronics DSP-400 headset. Plantronics have stopped doing the Persono Audio Control Center app for their headsets and you have to contact their support department via email for further information.

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    Re: 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?

    Linksys WMP54G isn't there on 32 or 64 bit vista, blame linksys on that one. you gotta look at your make of the card and then search for drivers for vista of it on the net. also sometimes if you have firewire enabled you may get a bsod when you start up vista for the first time. if you dont use firewire then disable it in bios, it seems that the firewire drivers or pmcia drivers included crash vista if you have them enabled. quite dumb to include incompatible drivers.
    if you have already installed vista with your firewire enabled and it keeps crashing, disable it in bios then you gotta delete all firewire drivers in vista, so put in your cd and goto repair -> command console and type in

    C:
    cd \windows
    del *1394*.* /s/p
    del *pmcia*.* /s/p

    and delete all those drivers that it shows, reboot and your vista will be loading up fine.
    note - this is your solution if when your vista bsod's and you boot up in safe mode, the last file it loads before it crashes is crcdisk.sys, worked for me and my friends.

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