Questions regarding Windows XP x64, downgrade from Vista

[JamesD]

Hi everyone, I thought I'd pick your brains regarding the 64bit version of XP. I'm currently running Vista x64, and I'm getting a bit fed up of annoying problems that I didn't get with XP, such as slow LAN speeds, various software incompatablity, and most of all driver problems, in particular with my sound card drivers.

As I have 8gb of ram installed, am I right in thinking I'd need to have the 64bit version installed to utilize it all? Does the XP x64 have the same driver issues as it's younger brother? Is XP able to run DirectX 10, or is that still only Vista? I have a pretty powerful system, and I'm worried that I'm not getting the most out of it. Any help would be great, as a search for XP x64 related information gets me a whole load of irrelevant information!

Cheers

[Funkstar]

As I have 8gb of ram installed, am I right in thinking I'd need to have the 64bit version installed to utilize it all?

Correct - 10 points.

Does the XP x64 have the same driver issues as it's younger brother?

Depends. Check first, not everything has 64bit drivers for XP, even things that have regular XP drivers and Vista 64bit drivers don't.

Is XP able to run DirectX 10, or is that still only Vista?

Only Vista.


I'm running Vista 64bit on my system (see specs to the left) and am really happy with it. Had a laptop with Vista Business 32bit on it before with 4GB RAM (3.5GB usable) and was never very pleased at how it ran. I'm very, very happy with my PC as it is, especially since the latest Nvidia driver update, Aero has been much smoother and the glitches i occasionally saw are gone.

I've also since wiped my laptop and put Vista business back on and it is actually a bit speedier, less glitches than there were. It might be that I'm just using it for Internet while I'm away from home, but it is definitely slicker than it ever was before.

[JamesD]

Hmm, I've been trying get access to the Administrator controls, and unfortunately I've found out that I cannot access the main Admin account on Home Premium. What kind of OS doesn't give the computer admin, complete admin rights?! I think this is a good reason to change OS...

[Splash]

Erm... do you mean the Administrator account (which is disabled by default) or do you mean that it's not giving you administrative access? These are 2 *very* seperate things in Vista.

[shaithis]

If your having driver issues with Vista x64, then you probably won't stand a chance with XP64. Many hardware manufacturers decided not to bother with XP64 support. It wasn't until Vista imposed the need for both 32 and 64 bit drivers for the Vista compatibility logo that manufacturers took 64bit drivers seriously.

[dangel]

It's a good point - although people will tell you everything is fine on Windows Server 2003 (which is what XP64 is) for them, the general rule is a definite 'no'. The basic reason is that other than being an entirely seperate OS from it's 32bit cousin, MS didn't do what they now do with Vista - i.e. enforce 64bit support. For that latter reason Vista x64 is very well supported.

[directhex]

and for games, many will refuse to install - because they aren't permitted on server 2003. it's sometimes possible to hack installers, though

[jimbouk]

I've never had a problem with installing games on XP 64-bit, except for X-Wing Alliance due to being a 16-bit installer (there is a workaround). Drivers, well I don't use that many bits of hardware but there are less available so check first, if everything you need is available then sounds like a good option

There are some strange things that don't work, such as the firmware updater for my Sony phone, and 4OD wouldn't install a while back because I wasn't running XP (lol). I had a laptop to sort out my phone and don't really watch tv so nothing lost really.

Maybe you can trial it for a few days to see if it all works before paying and activating it? Or is that not the point of the Windows activation prompt...?