Few Question about Vista 64

[zaphox]

Hi, I'm about to buy a new system and am 90% sure I'll go with Vista Home Premium 64. I just have a couple of questions.

- Should any program that worked on XP work on Vista 64?

- Will older hardware work with the 64 bit version? For example in this new system, I will still be using my old ATI x800 PCI-e graphics card. Would I need specific 64 bit drivers for it?

- What happens if you install it on more than 1 PC? (Do you HAVE to register it online to work at all?)

Hmm, I'm sure I had more questions than that! Please advise me on anything else you think a first time Vista user would need to know.

Many thanks

[directhex]

1) not any. 16-bit apps won't run, for example, and a number of 32-bit XP apps may refuse to run

2) you need 64-bit drivers, though they may be available for many many devices

3) your windows license does not permit installation on more than one PC, full stop.

[staffsMike]

Just because it works on XP doesn't mean it will work on vista and expecially 64bit.. quite the opposite really.

If drivers have been produced or vista can apply one it's own drivers to it, sure. Check the AMD website for drivers, or just google around to see if anyone else has tried it.

If you buy an OEM copy then it's one PC only. Not sure exactly what happens when you isntall it on another, but it will probably not register and thus you won't be able to use it. Best case, they let you install that copy on the new PC but you will not be registered to use it on the original if that makes sense.

[zaphox]

Thanks for the advice.

Would I be better off sticking with the 32 bit version then if I'm planning to run older software (for example Photoshop 7, Office XP, and games like Oblivion, Rome: Total War, FEAR etc.)?

Is it likely there's going to be 64bit exclusive software made any time soon?

I'm jumping the gun a bit here, but what happens if your HD fails and you re-install it on a new HD? Would you have to somehow un-register the old install before installing/registering on the new HD?!

Apologies for any stupid questions, I'm really behind with technology these days!

[rufeo]

i say go for 64bit, as long as you have 4gb of ram. i've only just switched to 64bit vista in the last few months and its been painless. i do have quite recent hardware so haven't got an issues with drivers. software wise, what you've listed should run on 64bit vista. i've got oblivion up and running no problems.

if you're hdd fails and you need to re-install windows onto the new hdd then you'll need to reactivate it. i've only got experience of oem windows, for me i had to call up microsoft to get a new activation key. for the retail version i'm not sure, but it does let you move it to another computer afaifk

[directhex]

the apps you name largely won't run - photoshop <cs3 misbehaves, so does office xp.

64-bit exclusives are unlikely, but 64-bit enhancements are already in the wild.

an OEM license allows you to replace any component other than the motherboard, as you see fit - just stick the new disk in & reinstall. do not be afraid of activation, even over the phone.

a retail license doesn't have the motherboard restriction - reinstall as & when you want, as long as you only ever have it installed for use on one pc (i.e. an old hard disk somewhere won't cause anyone to lose sleep, just don't say you have it on desktop+laptop but don't use both computers at the same time, that IS a violation)

[rufeo]

the apps you name largely won't run - photoshop <cs3 misbehaves, so does office xp.

64-bit exclusives are unlikely, but 64-bit enhancements are already in the wild.

an OEM license allows you to replace any component other than the motherboard, as you see fit - just stick the new disk in & reinstall. do not be afraid of activation, even over the phone.

a retail license doesn't have the motherboard restriction - reinstall as & when you want, as long as you only ever have it installed for use on one pc (i.e. an old hard disk somewhere won't cause anyone to lose sleep, just don't say you have it on desktop+laptop but don't use both computers at the same time, that IS a violation)

the games will run im pretty sure. i've used premier pro cs2 on vista, did crash alot but think it was due to my overclock and not windows...... i thought most 32bit programs would run to a certain extent, with crashing and stability issues being the only potential problems.

thats exactly what i thought about OEM windows. but i thought that the replacement had to be of similar make, model etc otherwise you had to go through the activation process again. thats what happened to me after i replaced my OS drive.....

[zaphox]

the apps you name largely won't run - photoshop <cs3 misbehaves, so does office xp.

ok, I'm glad I asked now. So are those apps more likely to work ok with Vista Home Premium 32bit?

If there really is such a problem, it makes me wonder why anyone would want the 64bit edition!

[SiM]

You can install it on another PC if you have the correct licence...

[fuddam]

the apps you name largely won't run - photoshop <cs3 misbehaves, so does office xp.

not true. running smoothly on my machine (64 business) with PS CS1

I work in video/tv broadcast and not had a problem with vista64 other than initial problems with DV Rack HD. Sorted out with reinstall. Would absolutely go for 64bit unless you have a truly legacy programme that doesn't work on it, guaranteed.

FWIW, am also running COD4 on same machine, without a hitch, and Sony Vegas 8, Illustrator 10, AE CS3 & Bridge, Office 2003 & 2007.

[dangel]

office 2003 works for me too.

[directhex]

not true. running smoothly on my machine (64 business) with PS CS1

I work in video/tv broadcast and not had a problem with vista64 other than initial problems with DV Rack HD. Sorted out with reinstall. Would absolutely go for 64bit unless you have a truly legacy programme that doesn't work on it, guaranteed.

FWIW, am also running COD4 on same machine, without a hitch, and Sony Vegas 8, Illustrator 10, AE CS3 & Bridge, Office 2003 & 2007.

i can only go by interweb reports. and adobe.com. and iirc office xp needs the latesr updates to think about working properly.

[chuckskull]

If there really is such a problem, it makes me wonder why anyone would want the 64bit edition!

Short answer. 4GB+ RAM.

[Agent]

We had issues with CS2 at work on Vista64. Turning off Aero solved it, so nothing major.
This was at release too, so its probably been fixed one way or another now.

[dangel]

Short answer. 4GB+ RAM.

And better performance than the 32bit incarnation too.

[zaphox]

Hmm, I'd really like to go with the 64bit edition but I'm getting mixed answers here.

At the end of the day I'd rather have an easy life and have software that works reliably than a slightly faster system that is more likely to crash or not install certain software.