Vista64 or Vista32?????? HPdv9000t

I guess my main concern is whether or not the core 2 duo T7200 set in the dv9000 actually supports 64 bits.

architecture is listed as x86 in windows

has anybody had any experience with this yet???

 

Core 2 duo's are 64bit.

 

yes i understand... but why would the architecture be listed as x86.

do i need to update the bios??

i also wouldn't put it past HP to cram it in a board that doesn't support 64.

thanks

 

Your system supports x64. In fact, though they are way behind in getting Vista drivers out, HP is releasing all their drivers for both 32-bit and x64 Vista -- something most other companies aren't doing.

32-bit Windows always reports the architecture as x86. x64 Windows will report the same processor as x64, so that really isn't any indication of what your processor can do. A program like CPU-Z will give you much more detailed information on your processors capabilities, but since you know you have a C2D T7200 you can rest assured that you can use x64 Vista if you prefer.

There are some things to consider, though: there are some additional program incompatibilities in Vista x64 that aren't present in Vista x86, and you cannot run unsigned drivers on x64 Vista. On the plus side, though, x64 Vista is rock solid stable, has additional kernel-level protections against rootkits and some forms of malware, and, on applications that are x64 enhanced, runs faster. Personally, I am running Vista x64 on my three main machines, and love it. But others find that there are one-or-more "dealbreaker" issues with hardware or software that prevent them from being able to use x64 Vista.

It's also worth mentioning that if you buy a retail copy of Windows (except Ultimate), you only get the 32-bit version of Vista in the box. If you want the x64 version, you then have to go online and pay for a disc to be sent to you -- which kinda sucks. If you buy an OEM copy, you can get either 32-bit or x64 versions of all the versions. If you buy a retail copy of Ultimate edition (full or upgrade), then you get both DVDs in the box. Hope that helps.

 

Thanks man.....

on a side note, do you recommend using the HP Upgrade utility for a trouble free install?

 

The HP Upgrade utility is pretty unnecessary, and I don't know if it will let you install the x64 version of Vista anyway. You will need to perform a new installation to upgrade to Vista x64. You can only do an "in-place upgrade" to a 32-bit version of Vista -- and that's what the HP utility wants you to do form my understanding. There are a couple of things that the Utility does that are useful, such as updating your firmware and removing the Quickplay and Restore partitions (both of which you can easily do without the utility). Otherwise, the utility is not really needed.

I much prefer backing up anything that needs to be backed up, and then doing a clean install of whichever version you want. You'll find the end result much better that way. HP has many of the drivers you'll need after you get Vista up and running on their website. I also have a stickied thread in this forum with links to some drivers they haven't officially posted yet.

Let us know how it goes.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=99937

 

Thanks alot guys!!!!

 

I just received my Vista Ultimate dv9000 today, and it has Vista Ultimate x64! I know it really does becaues some software will not load (OneCare) because it does not yet support x64. I also had to install the Logitech x64 driver for my Bluetooth mouse. I first tried the 32 bit driver and it said I did not have Vista installed!!!!