XPS M1730 - 64 Bit Vista??

My replacement M1730 gets here wednesday. I was considering putting Vista 64 bit on it, but I have a few questions.

• Can I use my Vista Home Premium CDKEY with a 64 bit Vista build (cdkey is for 32 bit)
• What are the major problems with vista 64 bit as in, what will I NOT find support for (light FX? internal memory card reader?)

I would like to make use of my 4gb of ram, and I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

 

I use Vista Ultimate x64 on my m1730 and I have no problems at all, everything works. I tend not to download drivers from the Dell website though, I always get the latest versions from the manufacturer (where possible).

 

How about Gaming, do most/all games work with 32 bit mode under 64 bit environments?

Also, do you encounter general incompatibilities with most 32 bit applications or is everything running OK?

Basically... how often do you get burned by incompatibility?

 

I'll be very clear when I say this. I have played pretty much every game on the market (maybe except some RPG games). Once a game releases (or even before), I *get* it for myself. And I can assure you that ALL games work for me under Vista 64-Bit. The only one I had a problem for was CNC3 and that's only because EA did never officially support Vista 64-Bit for that game, but the latest patch fixed that problem too!

All 32-Bit applications I use work flawlessly, while others come in their own 64-Bit flavours as well.... and I don't understand this fear of incompatibility that people have in their minds! Incompatibility problems would arrive only when 64-Bit was very new and now it would only apply to custom softwares (like say some custom work software or university software - and not in all cases), and not major commercial softwares. Using all latest versions of any good software keeps you problem free (and faster than 32-Bit ofcourse!).

 

Thanks Prasad.

I have done my research and discovered I can order a 64 bit CD through microsoft and use my OEM key to work just fine with a 64 bit of the similar version of vista.

I have access to MSDN copies of the Vista SP1 X64 build, I will be downloading them tonight and I will do a fresh install of Vista X64 on my new machine when it gets here tomorrow night.

Thanks a lot guys, can't wait to use my full 4gb

 

No shiet! Enjoy!

 

I have found Vista x64 to be great. You should have no problems with it, it is a very solid OS.

 

I've never had a compatibility issue

To make a 'Dell' Vista x64 DVD, copy the files from any x64 DVD (retail, oem, MSDN etc) to your hard disk, then copy over the dell.xrm-ms and pid.txt files, and the $OEM$ folder from the original x86 DVD that shipped with your M1730. Make the files into a Vista image (with VLite or similar), burn and install. Works exactly like it was an original Dell DVD, and it is perfectly legal.

 

AFAIK, you actually can't order a 64-bit CD from Microsoft with an OEM license key. They only give those to you if you bought a retail copy. You need to get a 64-bit OEM copy from the manufacturer or from torrents =\. This is because the OEM copies, after sent to PC manufacturers, are usually slipstreamed. Microsoft doesn't want to mess around with that by giving you a 100% clean Vista DVD.

 

Wow this is great information, thanks so much. If i just copy them all and use VLite to burn, it will make it bootable automatically? I don't need to actually slipstream like with a service pack, just extract to the directory and burn vista bootable?

Thanks !

 

You're welcome! And you're correct with what you said, its very straight forward

 

Since you all seem very knowledgeable I have 2 questions related to Vista x64 on a Dell M1730:

1) Where can I get SoundBlaster Audigy MB Vista x64 software, I have the x32 bit CD with Key but Dell support says they don't have it.

2) Where can I get a Dell M1730 360 bluetooth 2.1 + EDR driver, I found a 2.0 version that didn't specify the M1730 (I assume it works since I think its a MS stack anyway) but I want a 2.1 version and was hoping someone had used the 360 and it works for their M1730 and knows where to get the driver?

BTW I have ran Vista x64 Ultimate since I got my M1730 and it has never had any issues games included. I also use Raid 0 (I turn off Intel Turbo Cache so that driver is not listed) but I also download and use mainly original manufacturer drivers where I can and try not to use Dell. Here are my links if you want them:

Broadcom Network Adapter Driver
Intel Chipset Software
Intel Matrix Storage Manager
Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
Logitech Gaming LCD Driver
NVidia SLI 8700M GT Video Card Driver, this one worked best for me
AGEIA PhysX Adapter Driver, now NVidia
Synaptics Mouse Pad Driver
I recommend this program for ISO files to load programs if you have MSDN or ISO creator
A free ISO creator
Dell XPS M1730 Service Manual

A few other links I used:
Adobe Reader
CPUZ
GPUZ
ITunes
3DMark06
Very nice product (not free, 30 day trial) to see system info and do burn-ins
Riva Tuner (Video Card overclocking, not for beginners, works on Vista x64 unlike NTune)
Small footprint CPU temp
Broadband SpeedTest

I still use Dell for the following drivers (Haven't had time to look for these):
- Ricoh (Chip Set:Ricoh R5C832, R5C833, R5C843 Driver, MS udpated these through Windows Update for me)
- Sigmatel Audio (SIGMATEL STAC 92XX C-Major HD Audio Driver)
- Dell Web Cam Driver (Creative Labs Laptop Integrated Webcam Driver)
- Dell QuickSet Application

Hope this helps people!

These links are a few weeks old and I know GPUZ and Daemon (ISO) have had updates I downloaded from auto notifys. Also laptopvideo2go has a few 177 drivers available now once again haven't had time to try them yet.

 

whats wierd is my 1730 i have coming has 64 already installed according to the service tag? i didnt think they came from dell available with x64 already installed??

 

What does it say right click Computer>Properties

Look at teh system type line.

 

I was told today when I asked about my 2 questions above by Dell tech support they still don't support Vista x64 and if I upgraded my system (like I have) I won't get any support. Well I wasn't getting any support anyway but I told him nicely ok, dual boot he said they support the 32 bit version. So I am kinda surprised your system lists Vista x64 but maybe manufacturing is a step ahead of support lets hope so!

If you get Vista x64 let us know which NVidia driver they installed please!

 

it was a outlet system so im not sure whats going one..in the system config page it shows this:

KC433 MODULE..., LABEL..., MSLOGO, WINDOWS EXPERIENCE 64 BIT OS..., COMBO..., LARGE

i know that is just a label but why would dell put a 64 bit sticker on a 32 bit system so i am figuring on it having a 64 bit os???

 

What drivers do you use with the 8800M GTX Prasad ?

 

Try 177.79 or .89, they rock