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windows 7 32 or 64 bit?

R

RayDaddy

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Feb 22, 2007
Messages
1,541
Curious how driver support is for 64 bit windows 7 these days. I game and want 64 bit but my wife does print alot and goes tot hose coupon sites where you have to install thier printer driver whatever thing. anyone know if driver support has caught up to those type of websites yet? examples are like coupons.com and smart source. they have you install something to print thier stuff. my wife will freak if she can't print these so I'm curious if they'' work under 64 bit.

Also in general how is driver support for 64 bit 7???
 
Works just fine. If you are using extremely old hardware it might not even have Vista/7 drivers to begin with, let alone 64 bit.

I have had absolutely no problem, and others will re-iterate the same.
 
This is beaten to death here. 64bit should be your only option.
 
criccio said:
This is beaten to death here. 64bit should be your only option.
Click to expand...

This.

It was a legitimate question about 2-3 years ago, but is now a non-issue. 64-bit is the way to go if you have 4GB of RAM or more. Driver support is fine and I have yet to encounter a single compatibility/drive issue (have been using Vista x64 and now W7 x64).
 
did anyone notice the question about my wife and the coupon printers? they are not just a printer driver. you have to install them seperatley fromt he printer driver to print coupons off certain web sites? any idea if they are supported under 64bit?
 
RayDaddy said:
did anyone notice the question about my wife and the coupon printers? they are not just a printer driver. you have to install them seperatley fromt he printer driver to print coupons off certain web sites? any idea if they are supported under 64bit?
Click to expand...

Wait what? That sounds like such an easy way to get a virus...

mattjw916 said:
32 bit for home since gobs of ram is pointless..
Click to expand...

Seriously? We are going to do this again?
 
RayDaddy said:
did anyone notice the question about my wife and the coupon printers? they are not just a printer driver. you have to install them seperatley fromt he printer driver to print coupons off certain web sites? any idea if they are supported under 64bit?
Click to expand...

It's just a browser plugin. Works fine. Pretty much most day-to-day software is fine. Just printed a Taco Bell coupon a few weeks back.

Let me put it this way. I can power up Heroes of Might and Magic 3 in 64-bit Win7, OK? A win95 game.
 
RayDaddy said:
did anyone notice the question about my wife and the coupon printers? they are not just a printer driver. you have to install them seperatley fromt he printer driver to print coupons off certain web sites? any idea if they are supported under 64bit?
Click to expand...

If the program is separated from the printer driver, you should have nothing to worry about. 32-bit programs will work on 64-bit Windows. Just not majority of 32-bit drivers. But there are usually 64-bit drivers available for anything these days anyways.

The only time you will run into problems is when there are 32-bit drivers embedded into programs, or forced to install with them. Those are generally programs like encoders, decoders, CAD programs, movie editors and so on. Just check the manufacturer website and see if it'll work or if there's a 64-bit counterpart.

Windows 7 is amazing with printers. It not only installs your standard print driver, but will fetch all of our printer's feature and create it's own software for them inside of Devices and Printers where you can access them by double-clicking your printer. No more buggy HP bloatware for me!
 
cool thanks the wife will have a sissy fit if her coupon printer wont work. thanks
 
Unless you plan on going over 2GB of memory, I would stick with 32 bit just because that % better compatibility it has for some things (which it does) is worth it in rare cases.

64-bit can show some minor performance increases for some type of applications but the real reason people use it is because they have more than 4GB of ram, or 2GB of ram with SLI gpu's, or a similar setup. Don't let anybody fool you on this fact.
 
yeah im a gamer that is why i want it. more ram. and future use. going X58 tri channel soon so 6gb will be in her. 3x1 not enough long term gaming
 
criccio said:
This is beaten to death here. 64bit should be your only option.
Click to expand...

Not true. If you don't need more than 4GB of RAM, then the 32-bit version is more compatible with hardware and software, especially things that only give 32-bit drivers.

Anything that installs "virtual hardware", unless specifically written for 64-bit, won't work with Win7 64-bit. 'Things like network adapter shims.

Cisco IPSEC VPN client (installs virtual NIC)
Checkpoint Secureremote (same)
Lots of Partitioning programs
Some A/V programs & codecs (see Doom9 & Videohelp.com forums)
TV Tuner cards without 64-bit drivers
Some scanners or older devices with only 2000/XP drivers.
etc.
 
I don't even know what to say to the above post... facepalm?
 
Valnar said:
Not true. If you don't need more than 4GB of RAM, then the 32-bit version is more compatible with hardware and software, especially things that only give 32-bit drivers.

Anything that installs "virtual hardware", unless specifically written for 64-bit, won't work with Win7 64-bit. 'Things like network adapter shims.

Cisco IPSEC VPN client (installs virtual NIC)
Checkpoint Secureremote (same)
Lots of Partitioning programs
Some A/V programs & codecs (see Doom9 & Videohelp.com forums)
TV Tuner cards without 64-bit drivers
Some scanners or older devices with only 2000/XP drivers.
etc.
Click to expand...

You're nitpicking. If i was asked to find drivers and hardware that wont work in Vista and 7, i could make a hell of a list, bu those hardware are either dated or specialized anyways.

That fact remains that 64-bit Windows is a very ready OS and chances are you'll not run into problems.
 
criccio said:
I don't even know what to say to the above post... facepalm?
Click to expand...
32 bit is more compatible than 64 bit.

True or False?

BTW, last night my explorer.exe was deleted by an application not compatible with x64. Confirmed now by the developer.
 
criccio said:
I don't even know what to say to the above post... facepalm?
Click to expand...

You have no idea what you're talking about. Stop drinking the Kool aid. Not everything runs in a Microsoft-only bubble.

For instance, certain vendor's VPN clients are *necessary* to do my job. Should I tell my customers, "Too Bad, I have to toe the Microsoft line"?
 
Unless you are running severely outdated hardware/soft then you highly unlikely to run into any issues whatsoever. People really need to stop spreading FUD.

To be honest, I really thought this argument was dead a year ago. I installed Vista 64 when it was released and NEVER installed a 32bit OS since.. there is NO point. If you run into something that doesn't work at this point there is always a way around it. Period. (meaning, other hardware/software that is better supported with the same functionality.)

Welcome to 2 years ago.

Valnar said:
You have no idea what you're talking about. Stop drinking the Kool aid. Not everything runs in a Microsoft-only bubble.

For instance, certain vendor's VPN clients are *necessary* to do my job. Should I tell my customers, "Too Bad, I have to toe the Microsoft line"?
Click to expand...


Since when did corporate business customers become home gamers? AFAIK, the OP never said anything about VPN clients. Not to mention there is so many ways around the non-compatible VPN client issue if you know how to Google.
 
Shockey said:
Tried upgrading to windows 7 64bit only to find out it will Blue screen upon shutdown due to no driver for tuner card.
Click to expand...

Get a modern tuner..? :p

Some of you are beyond nitpicking its hilarious.
 
I installed Windows 7 64-bit but do run into more issues than my 32-bit machines. It took a little searching to get a driver for my PCIe wifi card, and my HTC phone flashing software doesn't work.
 
criccio said:
Since when did corporate business customers become home gamers? AFAIK, the OP never said anything about VPN clients. Not to mention there is so many ways around the non-compatible VPN client issue if you know how to Google.
Click to expand...

Still don't know what you're talking about. That is simply not true whatsoever. And who said all PC needs are only games?
 
i saw discussion on virtual complications. will Dameon tools run in 64 bit???
 
RayDaddy said:
i saw discussion on virtual complications. will Dameon tools run in 64 bit???
Click to expand...

Yes and so will Slysoft's Virtual CloneDrive. I'm running Virtual CloneDrive as we speak on my Win7 Ultimate 64-bit HTPC so ISO can launch within MediaBrowser.
 
RayDaddy said:
i saw discussion on virtual complications. will Dameon tools run in 64 bit???
Click to expand...

If it has a 64-bit specific version, then yes. Otherwise, no. The 32-bit version installs a virtual SCSI (or IDE) device driver.
 
Valnar said:
If it has a 64-bit specific version, then yes. Otherwise, no. The 32-bit version installs a virtual SCSI (or IDE) device driver.
Click to expand...

Always the doomsayer, are you?

You didn't bother looking to see if it's available, but instead stated the blatant obvious. I'm sure RayDaddy already figured that out, but wants to know if it's available.
 
ok so i got my coupon plug in answered, got Dameon tools answered. Hardware is new enough and I understand that older stuff is hit and miss. seems like I have no reason not to go 64.

thanks guys
 
RayDaddy said:
ok so i got my coupon plug in answered, got Dameon tools answered. Hardware is new enough and I understand that older stuff is hit and miss. seems like I have no reason not to go 64.

thanks guys
Click to expand...

Windows Update is your friend, don't forget that.

When you finish installing Windows 7, run the Update a couple times. There's a good chance it'll detect your hardware and fetch the appropriate drivers for you.
 
RayDaddy said:
ok so i got my coupon plug in answered, got Dameon tools answered. Hardware is new enough and I understand that older stuff is hit and miss. seems like I have no reason not to go 64.

thanks guys
Click to expand...

Dameon tools does work fine but I suggest you use a more streamlined/modern piece of software like Virtual Clone Drive.
 
Azhar said:
Always the doomsayer, are you?

You didn't bother looking to see if it's available, but instead stated the blatant obvious. I'm sure RayDaddy already figured that out, but wants to know if it's available.
Click to expand...

If it was obvious, then why did he ask? Besides, my post was somewhat educational for the uniformed.. You can extrapolate my point that any software which installs a virtual disk driver (Daemon Tools, UltraISO, Alcohol 52%, etc) needs to be specifically 64-bit capable. All the people blindly recommending the 64-bit version of Windows apparently don't know that. :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
We knew that, we also know that any modern/worthwhile software has 64bit support.
 
Not everyone can afford to run out and buy 64-bit compliant hardware.

32 bit is more compatible with 64 bit, end of story.
 
64-bit Windows also has some security features 32-bit does not have, like driver signing reqs. and kernel patch protection, which effectively knock out rootkits. Old software can be run in VMs like XP mode. Being stuck with 2-3GBs of ram in this day and age is silly unless you absolutely have no choice. I've been using 64-bit Windows (vista + 7) for about 3 years now, I think you'll find it just fine. I have no problems, and play lots of games and run lots of random apps I find on the web, etc.
 
Then you really have no place upgrading to a modern OS... That costs money as well.

You're running in circles here. This argument will only get harder and harder for you as time goes on. One day you'll have to just give it up.
 
bigdogchris said:
Not everyone can afford to run out and buy 64-bit compliant hardware.

32 bit is more compatible with 64 bit, end of story.
Click to expand...

Most people don't have to buy new hardware for 64-bit, and if they do and can't afford it then they should stick to 32-bit OBVIOUSLY... but everyone else should go 64-bit, the OP has already stated he does not fall into the category of people that need new hardware and can't afford it so I don't see the point of your arguments.
 
criccio said:
Um, yes.

And if it doesn't, there will be alternative software/hardware that will get the job done. Stop being so lazy/closed minded.
Click to expand...

Dude, give it a rest. There is legitimate 32-bit needs that 64-bit Windows does not address. One size does not fit all. It's obvious you don't work in IT.
 
Valnar said:
Dude, give it a rest. There is legitimate 32-bit needs that 64-bit Windows does not address. One size does not fit all. It's obvious you don't work in IT.
Click to expand...

Get it in your thick skull. This is NOT FOR BUSINESSES OR SPECIAL USE.

We're not debating 64 versus 32 on a general ground. We're determining if it's good for the OP! Take your anti-MS rant elsewhere.
 
Valnar said:
Dude, give it a rest. There is legitimate 32-bit needs that 64-bit Windows does not address. One size does not fit all. It's obvious you don't work in IT.
Click to expand...

Did you even read the OP's post? Really? Because he said nothing about ANYTHING related to IT. You're on the losing side of this argument. 64-bit is the future. OK, if you have a reason, stick with 32-bit. Otherwise, you should be using 64-bit because it's more secure, more stable, and for 99% of people it's just as compatible as 32-bit. Just give it a freaking rest, this debate is dead. Stop trying to push 32-bit on people.
 
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