6 Caveats 64-bit Windows Vista
section: windows, for your questions: KezNews forum, 12.1.2008
Tip: Click here to update all your PC's outdated driversThere is little doubt that 64-bit architectures are the future, as far as the parallel evolution of processors and operating systems goes.
But when it comes down to Windows, the 32-bit version of the platform will survive not only with Windows Vista, but also with Windows 7. At this point in time, among the scarce details made available by Microsoft about the forthcoming iteration of Windows, to follow Vista, the only sure thing is that Windows 7 will come in both 32-bit and 64-bit flavors.
According to estimates from the Redmond company, by mid 2008, the install base of the Windows operating system would surpass the 1 billion milestone worldwide. But the vast majority of those Windows copies will still be 32-bit, largely just Windows XP and Windows Vista. On the server side, Microsoft is preparing to ship the last 32-bit operating system with Windows Server 2008. The same is not valid with Vista, but perhaps maybe it will be with Windows 7.
The bottom line is that it is not all about the process and the operating system. 64-bit Windows Vista comes with great advantages compared to the 32-bit version, including superior performance and the possibility to add as much as 128 GB of RAM for the Ultimate, Business and Enterprise SKUs. But at the same time, there are a few things you should consider if you plan to switch to a x64 platform. They all revolve around the fact that the ecosystem of hardware and software products orbiting around x64 Vista is still far from maturity.
1. Device drivers
Device drivers are bound to be a problem. Just take into consideration the troubles that Vista has had with the integration of devices in terms of hardware, in 2007. And it involved both the x86 and x64 versions of the operating system. If it had been just 64-bit Vista, the whole Wow deal would have been much worse. At this point in time, there are still manufacturers that are not delivering x64 drivers.
2. Digital signatures
Well, what about when x64 drivers do exist? Well, then they have to be tailored for Vista, and the latest Windows client comes with a little something-something called Mandatory Driver Signing. All code that goes into the kernel has to be digitally signed. If not, the driver is useless, even if available.
3. Legacy drivers
But what about 32-bit drivers? Well, no, you won't be able to integrate 32-bit drivers into Vista, signed or unsigned. The code has to be 64-bit specific.
4. x64 specific programs
What's the point of running a x64 operating system if you continue to use 32-bit applications? And have you looked at the market lately? x64 specific programs are rare, and this from top software developers worldwide. Want to talk about some obscure 32-bit utility that you have become affectionate to? Well, chances are that you won't find a x64 equivalent.
5. Compatibility
But, 32-bit applications do integrate into 64-bit Windows Vista, don't they? Yes, they do. This is the good news. While you're waiting for a 64-bit variant to your application, you could run the 32-bit version. But be prepared for serious compatibility issues.
6. Hardware
Hardware is also a problem in terms of compatibility. Not all the hardware devices on the market today are compatible with 64-bit Windows Vista.
Well, in all fairness this is bound to be just a temporary situation. And as the ecosystem of third-party products around Vista will mature with the increasing adoption of 64-bit architectures, these issues will be resolved. But, Microsoft has to put its evangelism wheels in motion and provide catalysts for the transition of 64-bit Windows. source:
news.softpedia.com
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Comments(16)
no problems with installing 32 or 64 bit apps and games. 32 bits go under 32 bit
directory and 64 bit programs go under 64 bit directory. have you read about wow (windows
over windows)?
as long as windows is made as a 32bit option then 64bit will never take over. developers
will not waste their time with 64bit as long as they know windows will be 32bit.
microsoft needs to realize this if 64bit ever has a chance in the marketplace. i have one
device that does not support 64bit and because of that i have to use 32bit windows. 64bit
runs much better for me.
i haven't ever had any issues with drivers or installing 32 bit apps on vista 64 bit the
whole explorer is 64 bit so its faster, plus you might as well make full use of having a
64 bit processor
all i can see in these comments are 32 bit 64 bit 32 bit 64 bit lol
drivers, drivers, & no drivers is why i switched to 32 bit, even though running a 64 bit
cpu.
i read this article and think that nothing will work on x64 so why even try. i was kinda
scared to try out x64 on my work laptop since i use that for work, and need everything on
it working.
bottom line, everything worked out great. all my apps continue to
work, all the drivers are there, and performance could not be better. i like it so much i
deployed x64 to my desktop and will migrate my server over when server 08 rtms.
the bottom line is you don't know how something is going to work until you try it.
if you are unsure, then image your computer before you make the switch that way you don't
have to start from scratch if it goes bad.
we have d hardware, we have de drivers, what we don't have is x64 apps to meka this shit
work good. everything will work like 32bits, speed as well.....
why stupid people working on 64bit os? other stupid people make nothing in hole one year!
-since official rel. vista. next stupid people like me waiting years for drivers!!!! how
many time? not yet, not yet.........
am i missing something here? there are only 2 items listed - drivers (#1, #2, #3, #6)
and 32bit apps (#4, #5). talking about milking it for all it's worth (or not worth).
drivers are a real issue and i agree that ms is in the unfortunate position to
take the lead here - sadly most of the hardware companies barely provide even decent 32bit
drivers a lot of the time, so it's silly to expect 64bit to be driven by
accessories...unless the gaming industry can somehow manage to push the market forward
much like they did with video and audio hardware.
one note - #2, digital
signatures. this is most definitely not at all a downside - this is a major upside.
vendors who can't produce drivers that are at least good enough by ms' standards (which
are a bit silly, but not *that* high) shouldn't be making drivers for windows anyway.
one very good reason the 64bit version of vista has less problems...a *lot* less crap
drivers. has creative been able to...oh, never mind.
however, 32bit apps not
working in a 64bit os? wtf? i certainly haven't seen every possible example, but i have
yet to see a 32bit app that works in the 32 bit version of vista or ubuntu that didn't
also work just fine in the 64bit variant. based on my experience, this is pure fud based
on lack of understanding and experience. yet again, softpedia should be ashamed.
my very large company exclusively uses the x64 version on our workstations. we do not
have any problems with finding drivers or software so our team does not understand what
the other people are talking about, they are out there....you just have to go to the
manufactures website and download them. as for the companies that do not offer x64 today,
they better get their act together and develope them if they want to compete in todays
world. i remember the whinning when we moved from 16 bit to 32 bit. companies that do
not offer x64 compatibility will be left in the dark ages and eventually will not be
around anymore. companies that offer the x64 will survive.
well, no driver (webcam, usb scanner, mp3 player, network, cameras, audio board, graphic
board...) and no hardware problems using 64bit.
btw, if i could fully use my 4gb ram
with 32bit os i would be happy to go back to 32bit.
until the limit exists, i am
forced to stay with 64bit.
ciao from italy
microsoft has said that all future versions of windows will be 64 bit only. this
includes windows 7. so software developers had better "get with it" and update if they
don't want to be viewed as obsolete.
i run 8 gig of ram on my quad core. why the hell would i want a 32 bit limited os...
i used the x64 vista ultimate, it΄s cool, but i gotted some errors in some x32 programs,
so i chosed to go back to x32 vista, fully compatible with x32 programs...
i have yet to find a single problem with vista 64bit. stable as a rock and performs
great. all 32bit apps, including new and old games work perfectly. even creative had
working drivers (though they haven't released many). the only thing that needed fixing
were splinter cell: chaos theory since the copy protection (starforce 3) didn't have
64bit drivers. runs flawlessly when using a cracked copy though (i use cracks even for the
games i buy anyway).
in conclusion, i don't agree with this article at all.
sure, a year ago it might have been partially true (about the drivers) but hardly now for
most people. microsoft even includes the 32bit versions for a lot of their bundled apps
for compability reasons (ex. [ie7 32bit for flash support] and [wmp 11 to allow using
32bit codecs].
vista x64 is the best way to go. rock solid stability. all the new hardwares have x64
drivers now. if you're planning a new build, go with x64, you won't be disapointed. for
those who have old hardwares w/o x64 drivers, upgrade! damn, stop being cheap and holding
on to your old parts. put some money and get blazing fast new hardware, and please don't
buy from hp, dell, etc. only ignorant fools buy a pc from a manufacturer. build your own
or have someone else do it for you.
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64x Compatability
By Will on 13.01.2008 - 02:01