Thoughts after installing XP Pro x64

MemoryInAGarden said:

2) I didn't realize this at first, but the 64-bit version of IE doesn't support a lot of plugins. The icons are distinguished, but the browsers look identical in practice. This can be a nuisance if you use IE instead of another browser.

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While I see it the other way around (many plugins don't support 64bit), I can offer a bit more info.

32bit mode is a per-process thing. Either a process is native 64bit, or it's 32bit and runs on WoW. Plugins are loaded into the IE process... So 64bit IE can load 64bit plugins and 32bit IE can load 32bit plugins.

Having a 64bit version of IE is a given, eventually all apps will go down that route. However, not being able to load one's favorite plugins would block customers from using 64bit Windows, so the 32bit version is included as well. Hopefull companies that produce plugins will start offering 64bit versions as well... I know it's a bit confusing, but the alternatives are not great.

That's not the only reason for having both version of IE, not by a long shot, but it's the one most applicable to this sceanrio.

I installed it. Worked fine except for the fact that I couldn't install a lot of applications I was used to. Namely Daemon tools and similar. I reverted back to 32bit partly because of the inconveniences caused by a lot of applications not working and partly because it was not worth the trouble when I could not see the advantages of it coming through.

I would like to use x64 all the time and leave 32bit behind, but it isn't practical right now. I will try again in a couple of months.

serbiaNem said:

I don't know why more people haven't come forth with this problem.. Switch from 81.xx driver to the 78.03, *problem solved*.

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Good info, will test these drivers on my next attempt.

Given the hard lock, I needed to verify if I was having hardware or XP 64/driver issue. At this point it looks like it was XP 64/drivers as XPSP2 is running kosher. I have about 3-4 hours of gaming on it w/o error. The XP 64 load would lock before ~45 minutes of gaming.

I'll probably nuke the XPSP2 load this weekend and screw around with XP 64 some more.