Vista 64bit.. what should I do

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army

n00b
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Feb 20, 2008
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Hi all


I finally got my new comp, currently have Vista Ultimate 64bit installed
Not many apps are made for 64bit, but they all still work fine in Vista 64bit, right?

  • So, all software (basically ones that have been updated within the last 3 years?) all work in Vista 64bit?
  • All games work in 64 bit? How about ones which were made in 2000? (Warcraft 3, yeah, don't play it, but I may install it.. or ones such as COD4, Bioshock, HL1 - cs1.6, dod, HL2 - CS:S, DOD:S, TF2 etc.)


thanks :)
 
army said:
Hi all


I finally got my new comp, currently have Vista Ultimate 64bit installed.. just released it took the supplier over 12 hours to get all the drivers working correctly, since it's a 64bit OS.

Bit shocked, really. Not many apps work for 64 bit OS? Such as Photoshop, and now I've got the hassle to make sure I find a 64bit version of any software I plan to install.
Anyway.. I'm considering either reformatting with a 32bit Vista or dual boot Windows XP 32bit

Questions
1. Would my supplier supply me with the 32bit OS of Vista, for free, even if the copy he sold me was an OEM version?
2. Would dual booting work? Since I read somewhere you must install XP before Vista if you wish to dual boot.
3. I'm pretty much a noob at computers.. so please explain anything fully if you do reply.

thanks!:)
Click to expand...

If you don't have any compatibility problems you can keep vista64, the majority of 32 bit apps runs fine under it.

BTW the next version of photoshop is coming in 64bit
 
My computer guy, said that 32bit apps won't work properly on the 64 bit OS, is that correct? That's the main thing I'm worried about, as most apps don't really mention about 32/64bit compatibility.

Yeah, are you referring to CS4, right?
 
Would there be any negative effects if you install a 32bit on a 64bit OS though?
 
Nope, if you are using Vista x64 right now, look at what Internet Explorer you are using. Vista comes with both a 32bit and a 64bit version, the 32bit one actually works a little better in my opinion than the 64bit one.
 
So, all 32bit software works on Vista 64bit? Including games etc.? I'm extremely sorry for asking for so many confirmations, just that my supplier stressed that only 64bit apps can be run on the Vista 64bit OS..

thanks vage ;)
 
No your supplier is 100% wrong. I have yet to some across a piece of software that will not run because it is a 64bit OS. The only problems you will encounter are with driver signing, but that has nothing to do with whether the application is 32bit or 64bit.

If you look in your C: drive you will even see two "Program files" folders. One is for 32bit applications, and the other is for 64bit applications. I think that I may have 1 or 2 64bit applications total on my computer, the rest are all 32bit and run perfectly (including games).
 
Ok, so the OS is currently fine, and all hardware is functional.. so I shouldn't get any errors when installing programs.. right?
 
You shouldn't, and if on the odd chance you do just come here and tell us whats been happening and I'm sure we can figure it out. 99% of the time is not OS related.
 
army said:
My computer guy, said that 32bit apps won't work properly on the 64 bit OS, is that correct?
Click to expand...
Your computer guy is mistaken. 64-bit merely refers to the expanded memory address and performance capabilities.

It's like saying a Ferrari cannot be driven on any road other than a race track and if you drove it on the streets it'll cause damage to the car. It's ridiculous.

32-bit softwares simply will not be able to tap into the full potential of your hardware beyond the program's original limitations. It will not cause any harmful effects of any kind.
 
army said:
Ok, so the OS is currently fine, and all hardware is functional.. so I shouldn't get any errors when installing programs.. right?
Click to expand...

The best way to figure out if all your programs are 64-bit-OS-compatible would be to install them. That will get you a lot more "substance" than asking blank, very general questions.

Also, no, your computer won't explode from trying this out. :p
 
army said:
So, all 32bit software works on Vista 64bit? Including games etc.?
Click to expand...
Do you think, honestly, that any one person here can tell you if *EVERY SINGLE APP EVER MADE SINCE THE FIRST COMPUTER* will run in Vista 64? Be honest with me. I really want to read your reasoning on this.

Of course not. Nobody here can know. *YOU* know what you run. Look up the titles on Google and see what they have for Vista compatibility.

Vista has a high degree of compatibility. It's not perfect. I doubt your precious Lotus 1-2-3 v2.3 for DOS will work. So if that's absolutely mission critical to your life, don't run Vista 64. Stick to your 286 and be happy.
 
16-bit programs: will not work at all, whether Win16 or MS-DOS. 64-bit Windows doesn't have Windows on Windows for 16-bit programs, or the NT Virtual DOS Machine (which are the way that 16-bit programs are run on a 32-bit OS). Use a VM.

32-bit programs: nearly all will work, unless they require drivers to be installed, hook 64-bit programs like Explorer, or otherwise do some very low-level tinkering. There should be no reason why 99% of Win32 programs shouldn't work fine, especially more recent ones. A few old 32-bit programs have 16-bit installers, though.

64-bit Windows has Windows on Windows 64-bit, which translates 32-bit API calls into 64-bit ones the OS understands. 64-bit processors support 32-bit compatibility mode for running 32-bit programs under a 64-bit OS.
 
I have a few old games that won't work in Vista 64. They all work fine in XP Pro I run in MS Virtual PC, though. Being older, they aren't picky about graphics performance which is very limited in Virtual PC. Overall, I think 64 is more stable than when I ran Vista 32 for 6 months. Maybe the signed drivers help for that.
 
32bit programs are supposed to run fine on a 64bit OS.

It isn't the same for drivers though I've heard.
 
colinstu said:
32bit programs are supposed to run fine on a 64bit OS.

It isn't the same for drivers though I've heard.
Click to expand...
That's correct.

TC, check for proper drivers on all your peripherals before you go off upgrading to 64bit Vista if you're so worried.

One example of this would be printers and the like. Some of the manufacturers do not have plans to update their drivers for older models (such as mine). I ended up having migrating my printer with my XP machine and print whatever documents off there. Luckily I rarely use my printer anyway so it's not that big of a problem.

As for games, all games marked "Game for Windows" will work (which means Bioshock). I know for certain that Orange Box and CoD4 will work since they both came out after Vista. Most of the games you listed will probably work too though I haven't personally tested those (not a WC fan myself nor do I play CS, I did play a bit of DoD back in the days though).

Just check on google like previous posters have said.

Lastly, of course not *all* 32bit programs will work in Vista. I mean, off the top of my head I know that games that required Voodoo cards won't work. They stopped working after Direct X took over.
 
army said:
My computer guy, said that 32bit apps won't work properly on the 64 bit OS, is that correct?
Click to expand...

I think your computer guy should actually sit down at a computer and learn some stuff before giving out such poor advice.

I've yet to come across a 32bit program that won't run on a 64bit system except for really really old games, but thats not a 64 bit thing, its more due to old rendering standards they used to use that are long dead.
 
The only 32-bit apps that specifically have issues with x64 are ones where the developers used a 16-bit installer. That's quite unusual, and I can't think of any software from 2000 on that did so, but there might be something out there.
 
My computer guy, said that 32bit apps won't work properly on the 64 bit OS, is that correct?
Click to expand...

what kind of joke is that, he should retire from this business, as you can see on my sign im running vista ultimate 64 bit and i havent find yet a program that wont work with it, of course some older programs arent compatible with vista but hey all you have to do is get the newest version of it and you are all set, dont be affraid of 64 bit, you will see the difference once you use it....
 
I have yet to encounter a program that I cannot run on my Vista x64
That said, I do not try to run VERY old software.
 
Antivirus software is the sort of system tool that hooks the OS at low-level, so it's not surprising that it breaks if it's not been updated for 64-bit Vista - there would be no realistic way to make it work. (Not to mention the fact that antivirus software likes to patch the kernel, which has been outlawed in 64-bit Windows.)

Very few normal 32-bit programs will fail, but ones which need their own drivers or use low-level OS hooks might if they've not been updated.
 
sth128 said:
http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/catalog/products/vista.jsp
It's a free update. Unless you own one of the versions made for windows98, in which case, you're just being difficult.

Meanwhile, why not just get Avast? It's free and it is Vista 64 compatible and offers free update for life.
Click to expand...

So where does that say it's compatible with 64-bit? I used Zonealarm on Vista for almost 9 months, until I upgraded to 64-bit and they stated on their forums it would not be upgraded to 64-bit. From their forums:

Fixed Issues
Antivirus: Various AV fixes
System: Compatibility fix for BSOD with Webroot
System: Better startup and shutdown performance
Updates: Various update fixes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.1 wil be exclusive to Vista only. {32 bit Vista OS - only ; you can use with 64 bit Memory Processors (AMD 64 bit, etc.) , but the Vista OS (OperatingSystem) should still be 32 bit }
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello,

7.1 wil be exclusive to Vista only. {32 bit Vista OS - only ; you can use with 64 bit Memory Processors (AMD 64 bit, etc.) , but the Vista OS (OperatingSystem) should still be 32 bit }

7.0 (XP/2000) . = This is applies to all current XP/2000 subscribers. Do not attempt to install 7.1 on your XP/2000 pc .


Forum Moderator

From the product information:

ZoneAlarm Software System Requirements

Listed below are the complete system requirements, email protocols, and IM clients supported by ZoneAlarm software products.

System Requirements:

Vista (32-bit):
Pentium III 800 MHz or higher
Minimum system RAM: 512 MB
50MB of available hard disk space. Internet access.
Windows XP/2000 Pro:
Pentium III 450 MHz or higher
Minimum system RAM: 128 MB
50MB of available hard disk space. Internet access.
Attention Vista Users: ZoneAlarm 7.0 is not currently compatible with the Vista operating system. ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7.1, ZoneAlarm Antivirus 7.1, ZoneAlarm Pro 7.1, and ZoneAlarm 7.1 (free firewall) works on the Windows Vista operating system. Learn More

So no, I'm not being difficult. I've been there, done that. And, You might have noticed I said I'm using Kaspersky now. Have been for over six months.
 
the only software i cannot get to run on vista 64 bit is cisco vpn client.

cisco anyconnect runs, but does not work with our setup at work.
 
sth128 said:
Your computer guy is mistaken. 64-bit merely refers to the expanded memory address and performance capabilities.

It's like saying a Ferrari cannot be driven on any road other than a race track and if you drove it on the streets it'll cause damage to the car. It's ridiculous.

32-bit softwares simply will not be able to tap into the full potential of your hardware beyond the program's original limitations. It will not cause any harmful effects of any kind.
Click to expand...
Not quite. 64-Bit operating systems are not guaranteed to come with 32-bit libraries. It used to be very difficult to get 32-bit and 64-bit binaries to coexist on a distrobution compiled for 64-bit. These problems have been long since fixed.

For its part, 64-bit versions of Windows has a very good system known as Windows on Windows (WoW), that sits between the 32-bit binary and the rest of the OS.
 
DeaconFrost said:
Many system utilities require a version that either is made to work with both platforms, or has a specific version for each platform. No need for snarky remarks at JVC (can't believe I'm saying that), as he is absolutely correct.
Click to expand...
I apologize. Snarky remarks is part of my coping mechanism to deal with injustices in life as well as a way to compensate for my own short comings.

I shall henceforth direct all my snark toward you, Mr. Frost.

*stares at DeaconFrost snarkily*

Hmm... "Snark", what a funny word... It's like "shark", but with a short h...
 
To sum up...

32-bit software works fine on 64-bit operating systems. (With Mithent's exceptions.)

You need 64-bit drivers for your hardware.

And anything within the last few years by any reasonably mainstream company is going to have 64-bit drivers. :)
 
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