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    ugrade 32 bit vista to 64.

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by wulfie, Aug 7, 2007.

  1. wulfie

    wulfie Notebook Enthusiast

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    hey guys whats the easiest way to get a 64 bit vista rather than 32 bit, can i get it off microsoft or do i need to phone dell again?
    wulfie
     
  2. Datamonkey

    Datamonkey Notebook Consultant

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    you could try requesting the media from ms dude.
    They shipped me a 64bit dvd when i requested it, but my copy of vista hp was retail. This came with a request alternate media insert.

    Dont know the site of the top of my head though sorry
     
  3. PhoenixFx

    PhoenixFx Notebook Virtuoso

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    For the moment you are better off with Vista 32bit. 64 bit lacks driver support (most of your notebook components will work, but you’ll have a hard time getting some of the external devices to work properly) then there are compatibility issues with some older programs. Since most applications are still 32bit, there is no real advantage in performance either. Considering all that, I cant think of any good reason for upgrading to 64bit.
     
  4. wulfie

    wulfie Notebook Enthusiast

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    i do a lot of 3d modelling and graphisc, i could use the ability to address the extra ram so i can upgrade it to 4gig
     
  5. FredTT

    FredTT Notebook Guru

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    Just go to 3.5 Gigs of Ram. The 32-bit can handle it and you won't loose the compatibility of everything. It is a pain to get things to work on 64-bit (i've tried).
     
  6. wulfie

    wulfie Notebook Enthusiast

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    i thought 32 bit topped out at 2 gigs?
     
  7. FredTT

    FredTT Notebook Guru

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    No, about 3.5 gigs
     
  8. System64

    System64 Windows 7 x64

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    Theortically 4GB, but usually around 3+GB.
     
  9. Kaosfury

    Kaosfury Notebook Consultant

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    Tops out at 4 - memory addresses needed for hardware components. There are only 4 billion addresses available to a 32-bit system.
     
  10. wulfie

    wulfie Notebook Enthusiast

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    ok so its nearer 4, but is the maximum memory addressable to a single program 2 gig?
     
  11. Datamonkey

    Datamonkey Notebook Consultant

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    when dell get their arse in gear you wont have a problem.

    All drivers that are released for Vista have to be released in both 32 and 64 bit flavours. Its part of the WHQL program. any driver which is only in either/or version wont be certified.

    Saying that, i would go 64bit. I havent found any programs that are vista compatible that wont work on 64bit. I have been using xp 64bit for the last 2 years now that was a pain at first, as drivers were really hard to find.

    Im going 64bit as soon as i get my 1700.