"Ed(NY)" <> wrote in message
news:VWaFj.82$EJ2.76@trndny03...
> Thanks for everyone's help on my 4 GB/8GB ram question.
>
> I have a new desktop that is compatible with Vista 64 bit. That would
> give me the use of the 8 GB of ram.
>
> Two questions:
>
> (1) Where can I get the drivers that would be needed for my computer to
> run the 64 bit version? I haven't started the machine yet, but would run
> it a while with the 32 bit version. I assume I would download the
> drivers, then install the 64 bit version.
>
> (2) Is it correct that any programs or hardware compatible with the 32
> bit version will run with the 64 bit version, even though there will not
> necessarily be any improvement in performance?
>
> Thanks again for everyone's help.
>
Did the desktop come with a driver CD/DVD? If it did it probably has 64 bit
drivers on it. All the current motherboards I've seen in the last six months
had 64 bit drivers on the CD. If not then go to the chipset manufacturers
web site and download the chipset driver, SATA/RAID driver, and NIC driver.
You probably won't need them to install Vista but it's good to have them
handy just in case. Insert the Vista x64 DVD, boot the computer, and start
the install. All the x64 installs I've done lately have enough drivers
included to get Vista up and running. Once it's running install the
motherboard and NIC drivers. You can then download whatever else you need.
--
Kerry Brown
MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/