AMD 64 X2 but Vista installed 32-bit

Hello.

I built my system with AMD 64 X2 3800 but Vista installed 32-bit OS.

How can I change it so that Vista will install 64-bit? Is it a separate
install CD for 64-bit systems?

Thanks in advance.

Yes, Vista 64-bit is a different DVD. You'll have to wipe your system clean
and start all over since there is no way to upgrade a 32-bit operating
system to a 64-bit operating system.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"C R C" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hello.
>
> I built my system with AMD 64 X2 3800 but Vista installed 32-bit OS.
>
> How can I change it so that Vista will install 64-bit? Is it a separate
> install CD for 64-bit systems?
>
> Thanks in advance.

If you want a thoroughly usable computer, you will do well to stay with a
32bit OS.. while you may not be fully maximizing the capability of your
motherboard, unless you have to run 64bit applications and have a
requirement to run more than 4gb of memory, a 32bit OS has way better driver
support for peripheral devices, and does not have a requirement for all
drivers to be signed..

More than a few who opted for 64bit versions are looking to return to
32bit..


"C R C" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hello.
>
> I built my system with AMD 64 X2 3800 but Vista installed 32-bit OS.
>
> How can I change it so that Vista will install 64-bit? Is it a separate
> install CD for 64-bit systems?
>
> Thanks in advance.

--


Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

I agree,

I run Win XP Pro X64 on my desktop as many of my 3d Apps have 64 bit
versions that can handle larger models and are faster.

However, the caveat is that some peripherals won't work as well under 64
bit, including a lot of scanners, webcams, printers etc.

If you don't need it, currently you gain little from 64 bit (as your 32 bit
programs run in emulation win on win, which loses any performance gain)


My laptop runs 32 bit Vista and i will stick to it :-)

Andy

"Mike Hall - MS MVP" <> wrote in message
news:...
> If you want a thoroughly usable computer, you will do well to stay with a
> 32bit OS.. while you may not be fully maximizing the capability of your
> motherboard, unless you have to run 64bit applications and have a
> requirement to run more than 4gb of memory, a 32bit OS has way better
> driver support for peripheral devices, and does not have a requirement for
> all drivers to be signed..
>
> More than a few who opted for 64bit versions are looking to return to
> 32bit..
>
>
> "C R C" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hello.
>>
>> I built my system with AMD 64 X2 3800 but Vista installed 32-bit OS.
>>
>> How can I change it so that Vista will install 64-bit? Is it a separate
>> install CD for 64-bit systems?
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
>
> --
>
>
> Mike Hall
> MS MVP Windows Shell/User
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
>
>
>

C R C wrote:
> Hello.
>
> I built my system with AMD 64 X2 3800 but Vista installed 32-bit OS.
>
> How can I change it so that Vista will install 64-bit? Is it a separate
> install CD for 64-bit systems?

Just because you could theoretically install the 64-bit version, doesn't
make it a good idea. Outside of specialist server hardware, driver
support is basically non-existent.

Unless you need it (you're running a large server, or specialist
scientific applications that use huge amounts of memory or gain
massively from native support for 64-bit arithmetic) stay away from it.

Alun Harford

I have to disagree with the "virtually non-existent" 64-bit driver comment.
With one exception wherever I've needed a driver (even software products
with virtual drivers) if there's a vista driver it's available in both
32-bit and 64-bit format. That one exception is my Canon MF3110 where they
are "examining the demand for 64-bit drivers". So my RAID card, HP Printer,
Samsung DDTT printer, TV card, video, sound, system etc., as well as Virtual
Drive, Super Doctor etc. are all readily available.

I do have another bunch of machines with orphaned ATI 9100IGP chips
("Unrivalled Platform Performance" as their blurb still states) where even
the smell of a 32-bit Vista driver would be welcome - but that's a different
story...

"Alun Harford" <> wrote in message
news:%...
>C R C wrote:
>> Hello.
>>
>> I built my system with AMD 64 X2 3800 but Vista installed 32-bit OS.
>>
>> How can I change it so that Vista will install 64-bit? Is it a separate
>> install CD for 64-bit systems?
>
> Just because you could theoretically install the 64-bit version, doesn't
> make it a good idea. Outside of specialist server hardware, driver support
> is basically non-existent.
>
> Unless you need it (you're running a large server, or specialist
> scientific applications that use huge amounts of memory or gain massively
> from native support for 64-bit arithmetic) stay away from it.
>
> Alun Harford

A lot are available I agree, though you need to research first. I have an
orphaned webcam and WinTV-USB which currently are unsupported. I also have a
Canon which is currently unsupported. It will improve with time, or as you
replace peripherals for newer ones.

Also you will find some software dosn't like it very much (e.g. Zonealarm
and some IE plugins and any 16 bit software which previously ran in
compatibility mode) and i have a Flash upgrade which currently won't install
on the 64 bit IE7 (though it will on the 32 bit version on the same pc)

Again, even with this, I don't think there is much advantage as so much
software is 32 bit, therefore running win-in-win. My 64 bit apps romp
along, but that is to be expected, especially on a Quad core system with 4
GB fast RAM ;-)

Andy


"cvp" <> wrote in message
news:%23eaAJ$...
>I have to disagree with the "virtually non-existent" 64-bit driver comment.
>With one exception wherever I've needed a driver (even software products
>with virtual drivers) if there's a vista driver it's available in both
>32-bit and 64-bit format. That one exception is my Canon MF3110 where they
>are "examining the demand for 64-bit drivers". So my RAID card, HP Printer,
>Samsung DDTT printer, TV card, video, sound, system etc., as well as
>Virtual Drive, Super Doctor etc. are all readily available.
>
> I do have another bunch of machines with orphaned ATI 9100IGP chips
> ("Unrivalled Platform Performance" as their blurb still states) where even
> the smell of a 32-bit Vista driver would be welcome - but that's a
> different story...
>
> "Alun Harford" <> wrote in message
> news:%...
>>C R C wrote:
>>> Hello.
>>>
>>> I built my system with AMD 64 X2 3800 but Vista installed 32-bit OS.
>>>
>>> How can I change it so that Vista will install 64-bit? Is it a separate
>>> install CD for 64-bit systems?
>>
>> Just because you could theoretically install the 64-bit version, doesn't
>> make it a good idea. Outside of specialist server hardware, driver
>> support is basically non-existent.
>>
>> Unless you need it (you're running a large server, or specialist
>> scientific applications that use huge amounts of memory or gain massively
>> from native support for 64-bit arithmetic) stay away from it.
>>
>> Alun Harford
>

Andy,

I agree with the "research first" thought - also true for 32-bit. The only
software I've had trouble with are those with drivers/services (Cute PDF,
Virtual Drive, Super Doctor...), but they've all been updated and the rest
just run happily in their 32-bit mode. As for IE, the default (32-bit) seems
as fine as it was on XP, the plug-in situation for 64-bit IE makes it
virtually useless for me (at the moment), but the default is fine. I even
switched over to the 64-bit WMP since I had no problems there.
I do have XP running under Virtual PC for any apps that cause trouble, but
that's a null set so far.


"Andy" <> wrote in message
news:...
>A lot are available I agree, though you need to research first. I have an
>orphaned webcam and WinTV-USB which currently are unsupported. I also have
>a Canon which is currently unsupported. It will improve with time, or as
>you replace peripherals for newer ones.
>
> Also you will find some software dosn't like it very much (e.g. Zonealarm
> and some IE plugins and any 16 bit software which previously ran in
> compatibility mode) and i have a Flash upgrade which currently won't
> install on the 64 bit IE7 (though it will on the 32 bit version on the
> same pc)
>
> Again, even with this, I don't think there is much advantage as so much
> software is 32 bit, therefore running win-in-win. My 64 bit apps romp
> along, but that is to be expected, especially on a Quad core system with 4
> GB fast RAM ;-)
>
> Andy
>
>
> "cvp" <> wrote in message
> news:%23eaAJ$...
>>I have to disagree with the "virtually non-existent" 64-bit driver
>>comment. With one exception wherever I've needed a driver (even software
>>products with virtual drivers) if there's a vista driver it's available in
>>both 32-bit and 64-bit format. That one exception is my Canon MF3110 where
>>they are "examining the demand for 64-bit drivers". So my RAID card, HP
>>Printer, Samsung DDTT printer, TV card, video, sound, system etc., as well
>>as Virtual Drive, Super Doctor etc. are all readily available.
>>
>> I do have another bunch of machines with orphaned ATI 9100IGP chips
>> ("Unrivalled Platform Performance" as their blurb still states) where
>> even the smell of a 32-bit Vista driver would be welcome - but that's a
>> different story...
>>
>> "Alun Harford" <> wrote in message
>> news:%...
>>>C R C wrote:
>>>> Hello.
>>>>
>>>> I built my system with AMD 64 X2 3800 but Vista installed 32-bit OS.
>>>>
>>>> How can I change it so that Vista will install 64-bit? Is it a
>>>> separate install CD for 64-bit systems?
>>>
>>> Just because you could theoretically install the 64-bit version, doesn't
>>> make it a good idea. Outside of specialist server hardware, driver
>>> support is basically non-existent.
>>>
>>> Unless you need it (you're running a large server, or specialist
>>> scientific applications that use huge amounts of memory or gain
>>> massively from native support for 64-bit arithmetic) stay away from it.
>>>
>>> Alun Harford
>>
>

Thank you all!

I will stay with my installed 32-bin W. Vista.

"Richard G. Harper" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> Yes, Vista 64-bit is a different DVD. You'll have to wipe your system
> clean and start all over since there is no way to upgrade a 32-bit
> operating system to a 64-bit operating system.
>
> --
> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
> * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "C R C" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hello.
>>
>> I built my system with AMD 64 X2 3800 but Vista installed 32-bit OS.
>>
>> How can I change it so that Vista will install 64-bit? Is it a separate
>> install CD for 64-bit systems?
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
>
>

Andy - what kind of applications do you run? I 'need' to test a 64 bit
system, and am concerned with how compatible it may be with my other
applications.

thanks, D

"Andy" wrote:

> I agree,
>
> I run Win XP Pro X64 on my desktop as many of my 3d Apps have 64 bit
> versions that can handle larger models and are faster.
>
> However, the caveat is that some peripherals won't work as well under 64
> bit, including a lot of scanners, webcams, printers etc.
>
> If you don't need it, currently you gain little from 64 bit (as your 32 bit
> programs run in emulation win on win, which loses any performance gain)
>
>
> My laptop runs 32 bit Vista and i will stick to it :-)
>
> Andy
>
> "Mike Hall - MS MVP" <> wrote in message
> news:...
> > If you want a thoroughly usable computer, you will do well to stay with a
> > 32bit OS.. while you may not be fully maximizing the capability of your
> > motherboard, unless you have to run 64bit applications and have a
> > requirement to run more than 4gb of memory, a 32bit OS has way better
> > driver support for peripheral devices, and does not have a requirement for
> > all drivers to be signed..
> >
> > More than a few who opted for 64bit versions are looking to return to
> > 32bit..
> >
> >
> > "C R C" <> wrote in message
> > news:...
> >> Hello.
> >>
> >> I built my system with AMD 64 X2 3800 but Vista installed 32-bit OS.
> >>
> >> How can I change it so that Vista will install 64-bit? Is it a separate
> >> install CD for 64-bit systems?
> >>
> >> Thanks in advance.
> >
> > --
> >
> >
> > Mike Hall
> > MS MVP Windows Shell/User
> > http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
> >
> >
> >
>
>