xp 64 backwards

Just got my 64 bit machine, but now I see that I absolutely need 32 operation
for a few months to allow my software time to get up to speed. I can return
the 64 bit machine, get a credit and reorder with xp pro OR I could try to
multiboot. I am not a computer guru and I'm afraid of the conflicts and hools
that might come up with the dual boot. Any suggestions on which direction
might be the best? Thanks for being out there.

 

Hello Bob, I got thesame problem as you are, Microsoft is so trigger happy of
getting this X64 out in the market without making sure that pre-existing
hardwares and softwares will support. Anyways just venting...What I did is I
have 2 hard drives one is IDE which I reformat and install XP home edition,
the other is RAID which X64 is installed, for now I'm switching from OS to
OS, until I can get all my hardwares and softwares update to be compliant
with X64. One thing though, X64 is definately fast. Unfortunately, you
really got to dig and suft to find the right drivers for your hardwares and
softwares just to get the X64 working.

Good luck.

 

You are far better off dual booting than trading in the machine for a 32 bit
processor.
You will regret the step back to 32 if you do.

Dual booting is not difficult at all.

Many manufacturers are keeping up with 64 bit...notably Logitech.

Most, if not all, of your software should run just fine under Windows XP
Professional x64 Edition.

Just curious...your computer shipped with the 32 bit version of Windows, did
it not? therefore, all of your computing is "32 bit", as your OS only
understands 32 bit.

Your computer is already operating in 32 bit mode, unless it came
pre-installed with x64.

Bobby

 

The hardware and software venders had plenty of time.
If they wanted to support their hardware or software, it was fully in their
ability to do so.
Typically many venders wait until the final release before beginning to work
on their drivers and updates.
The venders that had drivers available soon, did not wait but instead were
working while the OS was still in Beta.
There are many reasons they wait but a big one is they do not want to expend
the resources only to see a change rendering their work useless.
If Microsoft waited until there was hardware and software support, we would
still be waiting for Windows 95.
The best thing to do is communicate your needs directly with the vender so
they know of their customers needs.

 

The bright shiney new computer came with 64 preinstalled. I've heard that
there is a 32 bit mode, but no one seems to know much about it. Thanks
everyone for the feedback. I ight just try to do the dual boot with a
separate drive. Wish me luck.

 

Thanks Drock fdr the reply. I'm thinking I might try the dual OS work around.
I'll buy another drive and load it with XP Pro. I suppose there's a mechanism
for switching boot drives. I know that in Macs it's very easy - just tell it
to restart on another drive. Thanks again.

 

Bob,

I think you are misunderstanding something fundamental.

x64 Windows runs both 64bit =and= 32bit apps seamlessly because it has a
mode called WOW64 (Windows{32} on Windows64) which it uses to supply a 32bit
virtual machine in 4Gb of virtual address space as needed. This happens
fully automatically when you ask for a 32bit application to run.

The only caveats are that any application must be "pure" 32bit since x64
windows will NOT support 16bit at all. Also, a 32bit application (or
library) can not call a 64bit application (or library) and vice-versa.

Finally, ALL device drivers MUST be 64bit. No workarounds here at all.

You =may= not need to dual boot if all your apps are true 32bit (as in my
case and I have resisted the temptation to dual boot purely from a
standpoint of being a stubborn old man who wants a pure 64bit OS & nothing
else - I already have 6 other 32bit PCs!)

Hope that's helped to clarify things a bit.

Colin