Is the 64 bit REALLY worth all the hassle?

I was gonna get a t8100 + 4gig ram, then install 64 bit Vista on a 1530. However, with the windows d/ls gone, and no access to a retail version, I'm beginning to wonder whether a t8300 + 3gig ram + 32 bit would be lass hassle?

The way it looks, I'm going to have to break the law to get 64bit media, unless Dell start offering.
Then there's the fact that the drivers aren't perfect yet - especially the webcam which I will use relatively often.

I use FF + Avast!, so I should be relatively virus free (Random memory loading should be cancelled somewhat by this)
Software also isn't perfect from what I hear - I'd guess this is especially noticeable in free/open source software - which I use almost exclusively.


So opinions - is it really worth it? All I want is a fast, stable Vista HP experience.

 

What hassle? Installing 64-bit Vista is the same as installing its x86 counterpart.

 

well....
A. Drivers are ok now
B. so are software compatibilities.
Useing 64x is not a hastle. BUT, you said you are getting 64x illegally, and that is not allowed on the forums, and you should not do it... The law is the law...

 

I'm in the same boat. I just got my M1530 and I can't obtain the 64 bit Vista disk legally either and I'm wondering if its worth trying to track one down for the extra .5 gig of ram.

 

DO NOT GET IT ILLEGALLY!!! There are links on the forum to get it legally. Just buy a 32bit version in a store and use that key to register your 64bit version.

 

Having a copy of windows is not illegal no matter how you obtain it. Legality only comes into the issue regarding the CD key. And if he owns the key, it doesn't matter where he gets a windows copy (of the version to which his key belongs) and uses his key to legally use it.

Secondly, hassle or not, 64-Bit is where the world is headed, and 2 years from now everything will be 64-Bit... just like the transition from Windows 3.1 (16-Bit) to Windows 95 (32-Bit).

 

It'd be cheaper to spend $99 on Newegg and buy the OEM 64-bit version of Home Premium ($179.99 for Ultimate) than it would to go buy the full retail version ($222.99 for Home Premium, $289.99 for Ultimate) and then order 64-bit copies from MS.

 

You will run into some weird issues with certain programs with 64-Bit, but for the most part it is NOW up to par with the x86 32 bit version. Overall, Vista x64 is far superior to XP x64, because of better driver and software support. Most of the issues I have had with Vista x64 on my desktop have been resolved but a few issues still remain (many to do with Xfire). Xfire is just one of those apps that works weirdly under the 64 Bit OS. There are other programs as well that have odd issues, most of which are not a big deal though or have been resolved. Having said that, Vista x64 is the way to go if you got 4GB of ram or more. It's also pretty bad ass to say that your running a 64 Bit OS

Isn't it possible to get MS to switch your key (that came with your XPS M1530) to a x64 key?

 

If you already have a Vista license, then do not hesitate getting a 64-Bit version of YOUR Windows edition (Home premium, ultimate, etc.) from torrents, and then installing with your key. If needed, you can talk to Microsoft about it for activation, if online doesn't work. But you OWN the key... no illegal stuff there!

 

The license to the software is not illegal, the method of obtaining it is. Technically Microsoft's EULA prevents you from obtaining the OS from any non-authorized source.

 

Yeah well... that's probably considering you didn't have a license in the first place! But you do! When you *buy* your windows copy, you buy the CD key that works only for a particular version of windows. Then there are corporate keys that work on multiple machines and cost 10 times more. It's the key you pay for, not the physical windows copy.

And tell me how you define *non-authorized source* ? If I and a friend got 2 retail windows copies. I use my key, he uses his. But he copies his disc and gives it to me for me to install it since I lost mine, but I still OWN my own freakin' key and use it and only it for installing! That isn't illegal... same applies for torrents as long as you have your own key and don't use the pirated key which is the ONLY illegal thing in this equation.

 

I'm pretty sure MS doesn't give a crap if you download the ISO from torrents as long as you lose a legit key. Just don't tell them how you got the ISO

I'm pretty sure they will switch your key from a Home Premium x86 to a Home Premium x64 key if you so desire.

 

There's nothing like a separate key for 32-Bit and 64-Bit. The key applies to the product... like Ultimate and Home Premium. So if you have a Home Premium key, you ARE entitled to the use of Home Premium, be it 32-Bit or 64-Bit, on ONE machine.

Take my laptop for example... Sager ships both a 32-Bit AND 64-Bit version discs (OEM) for the version you buy, home premium in my case. And they quite obviously work on ONE license (since.. well, I paid for ONE). So rest assured, you're not paying for media (except in the case of retail) but merely for the license.

 

just order an oem version from newegg like mentioned above, it will come with a cd key and media, and guess what! that's legal, and fairly inexpensive.

 

But incredibly unnecessary too!
I'm trying to put myself in the situation here. I OWN a windows license. I wish to use a different version of the same product which is contained in that license. But to acquire it, I had to buy yet ANOTHER license ? In that case, I would be entitled to have windows on TWO machines, which isn't what I want! I'm sorry... but I just don't see the logic in that.

 

I do feel it's worth the effort. I've been using Vista since beta 1 and I'm not exactly a fan. In fact I think it's one of the crappiest operating systems ever released, and it managed to accomplish what Microsoft had failed to do for 20 years: make me buy a Mac.

And yet, Vista x64 is slowly winning me back. On my 1530 it's utterly stable, very performant and for the most part, trouble-free. It even handles high-end complex tasks like copying files and surfing the web, which sometimes stump the 32-bit edition.

Whether it's worth the hassle? Well I wouldn't spend a dollar on it. But if you somehow can track down the x64 media, I think it's worth a shot.

 

Quite true! I wouldn't spend for getting to work what I already own! Piracy is when you download what you haven't paid for... at all! And this is far from it!
If you download a windows copy and use your key and it gets activated (quite obviously the case if you install the version you have the license for), then it's as good as saying you were meant to have it.

 

In that case, you could easily download a 64 Bit ISO, burn it to a CD...use your key on the bottom of your laptop (on the sticker) and install the 64 Bit Vista of your version (probably Home Premium). Sweet!

 

That's what I've been saying! Finally! Jeez! Now go hit a torrent but you ain't a pirate, you've got a key! Woohoo!

 

I know that's what you been saying...but others aren't getting it lol...I'm just trying to back you up here.

 

Well yup. I'm just saying I wouldn't pay more for what I already own.
Anyway, that's that from me. Prasad out for the night!

 

Here is my two cents (and I can't wait for the backlash over this). I have been running my system as such and swear by it...

1. Get and install 4Gb ram;
2. Get 64Bit Vista by whatever means as long as you legally have the corresponding key (Bus-Bus/Ult-Ult);
3. Back up your system as it is now...just in case;
4. Look for and download all necessary 64bit drivers from Dell or www.x-drivers.com;
5. Ensure you understand how to install the AHCI driver during setup;
6. Reformat your system according to my guide below (removing bloatware);
7. Install 64 Bit OS and ensure AHCI is installed properly;
8. Tweak system with Tweaking Thread below; and
9. TURN OFF AND DELETE PAGEFILE if you are a normal user and don't game to excess or use 20 plus programs simultaneously.

Number 9 has been the subject of alot of controversy but I swear by it. Shutting down pagefile is the only way to force your system to use the RAM you paid for. If you simply reduce it, there is no performance increase as system operations are still shuttled through the pagefile. I know there will be argument of this but my simple response would be whats faster....an operation routed straight through RAM or from the pagefile (which is a cache on your hd) to RAM?

This is my system above. I swear it is the fastest system I have ever had and it is, by far, the most stable. I do alot of reports and have never lost data and trust that I never will implicitly. My average report sometimes runs over 100plus pages.

As a caveat, I am just relating my own personal best practices that I have on my M1330, sons Compaq, sons Toshiba 13" and wifes Toshiba 15". If they can't destroy my systems with all of their downloaded spam, nobody can.

 

google earth does not work with 64 bit
other than that it's been great (vista home premium 64)
dl via torrent activate with yer 32bit vista key
viola! instant legal 64

 

OMG the same key provided by Dell that is on the back ?

Someone confirm this please

If so Ill install vista 64 on my m1330 as soon it arrives .

 

Yup thats the one...

You will have to call in for activation and you can even ask them and they will say enjoy!

 

I'm quite certain that acquiring the media this way is a EULA violation. It would be considered unauthorized distribution, since the EULA for any version of Windows explicitly prohibits redistribution of the software. Key or no key.

That said, I don't think someone acquiring the media this way and subsequently using a valid key is really doing anyting morally wrong, since they're not obtaining anything tangible that they weren't actually entitled to...ie, the alternative version of their OS. It's just that the only 100% legal (other than buying a new one) way to obtain it would be from Dell. And Dell is generally uncooperative about it.

 

YAY thanks Les , ok Ill try that as soon my m1330 arrives.

 

Dell was very cooperative but has since closed up their loophole.

 

Yes, 32-bit keys do work 100% on 64-bit operating systems.

 

64-bit keys? <---- ?

CD-Keys work on 32-bit and 64-bit Vista OS of YOUR PURCHASE(== if u bought Home Premium, the CDKey works for 32-bit Home PRemium and 64-bit Home Premium, though only one at a time)

 

Loooool. Totally didn't come out the way I wanted it to. I meant to say 32-bit keys DO work on 64-bit OS's . My bad. Edited.

A 32-bit key = 64-bit key

Confirmed on multiple PC's

 

Even for xp? Because I have legit XP Pro and I wanted a x64 version for a new laptop. So I could download one off torrents or something and enter my cd key and it will work? Really?

 

It might not be the same for XP. I say that because I have a TechNet subscription, and with it comes access to all flavors of all the OS's. For Vista, my 64-bit and 32-bit keys are the same, but I was provided with different keys for 32-bit and 64-bit XP. The fact that they gave me distinct keys for each version of XP tells me that they're not interchangable the way that the Vista keys are.

 

My guess is probably because 64-bit XP was developed after the release of 32-bit and is more or less its own project. 64-bit Vista was developed at the same time and was released at the same time.

 

There is no hassle installing Vista 64. You can use the same 32 bit key with 64-bit.

 

Yes it is worth it. It is very stable and works great!

 

So if I were to somehow (which we shall not discuss) a copy of 64 bit Vista, how large of an ISO would it be for home premium SP1?

 

It is in the Windows forum. Should be around 4 GB (DVD)

 

I removed hard drive and installed new one, tried to get 64 bit version from Dell(got two dvd's, both 32 bit) invoice said 64 bit but 32 bit came. Tried Microsoft and they will supply 64 free if you purchased retail version. Got the torrent version, installed on new hd and put in my key and working great.
The dell rep even gave me links to 64 bit drivers. I started this 7-2-08, and in 24 hours time i have all the correct drivers and software working for everything. I had to purhase the upek software for 15.00 and now my fingerprint reader is working. I now have 32 bit ultimate on one disc. and 64 bit ultimate on another disc. Not exactly a dual boot, i can change out harddrives if i want. But i have had no reason to. 64 bit works fast and all was out was hard drive and software for fingerprint reader.
My signature didnt show up
xps m1530 product red, T9300 2.5 ghz, 4 gig ram, 1 gig turbo cache module, 200 gig 7200rpm hard drive.vista ultimate 64 bit

 

@hotrent1: why did you pay for the driver?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=255232

A simple search would have saved you $15.

 

If you've got a Genuine version of 32bit, you are entitled to get a 64bit, in sense, isn't he right getting 64bit? If he has got the 32bit key, why not get the 64bit and use it somehow. I don't promote piracy, but isn't this right?

 

You guys are winning me over.
I think I will just get it by whatever means necessary if Dell or the MS links don't work.

 

Yeah i'm gunna make the plunge too

 

Do you think it's worth it even if I only have 2 gigs of ram? I won't be able to get another two for probably a good while

 

Honestly what differences will an average user experience between a Vista 32 bit and a 64bit?
By average i mean no heavy gaming, or video/photo editing or graphic works etc.
cos mine came with the bonus up to 4gb and i dont know why the heck i would need it for. unless 64 bit home premium will drastically upgrade my already satisfied experience with 32bit. thanks

 

Honestly, the average user won't see a significant difference unless they're using some true 64-bit apps. So if someone was perfectly happy with their 32-bit install didn't really feel the need to rebuild, I'd be hard-pressed to give them legitimate reason why they should go to the trouble.

That said, if someone was looking to freshly install anyway, then I'd be hard-pressed to think of any reason why they shouldn't install x64. The hardware for modern systems is 64-bit capable, the drivers are there, it's just as easy to install as 32-bit, and I've yet to run into any programs that don't run on it...so why not move to what is ultimately going to be the next standard?

People certainly don't need 64-bit (today) but for those that want to make the move (for whatever reason) then there's nothing at all that should frighten them about doing it.

 

Thats a very well reasoned response. Thank you. It just begs the question why Dell and other companies don't just install the x64 OS, with PC's that can clearly handle that standard?

 

Because not enough people actually do make the move. It's a vicious cycle. When x64 came out, there were not many programs designed for it nor drivers ready for it. As time progressed, corporations started making more 64-bit apps, but consumers had already become used to the 32-bit and didn't to reinstall their entire OS for this "upgrade" that they couldn't quite understand. Because of that, much of the 64-bit advertising and development has slowed down. And since it has slowed down, 64-bit doesn't get installed much, which then leads to software/driver developers not wanting to develop as much 64-bit software, which again, leads to less people using it...and on it goes.

Somewhere down the line the consumer needs to take initiative (obviously the big corporations won't, because they couldn't be caught dead spending money on developing 64-bit software that may not be used!) and start installing the OS.

As more and more people use it, more and more will be developed for it.

 

Well, I imagine there are still plenty of ancient apps, utilities, old pieces of hardware still around that would make it a headache for an OEM like Dell to ship 64-bit as the standard OS. Their hardware will run it fine, but who knows what goofy stuff their customers will plug into it. It's one thing for me as an individual to take stock in what I have and what I use and see that x64 will be fine, but it's another for Dell (who sells millions of units) to take on a potential support nightmare like that right now.

X64's problem right now is that people won't move to it because they think (perhaps rightfully so) that 3rd party support for it is lacking. And 3rd party vendors don't want to waste development $$$ on x64 when they think (perhaps rightfully so) that customers aren't yet adopting x64. It's the chicken and the egg, and in this case neither wants to come first.

EDIT: Bauer418...I guess we were typing at the same time, and said pretty much the same thing. Wasn't trying to step on your post, LOL.

 

Is this why Bill Gates is quitting his positing?