Vista 64 bit upgrade? Replacing the hidden recovery partition

Does anyone know if there is any sort of way to replace the hidden partition image with a new one. Say I am angry that Lenovo doesn't offer the x64 version of vista (or even tell you what version you're being stuck with) with their systems and I want to get a copy of the retail version do a clean install, and then somehow replace the factory operating system on the hidden partition, so if things went sour I could use the ThinkVantage button and set the settings back to the new image with x64 bit Vista ( the retail version I would buy)??? Or is there some way that Lenovo could send me a disk similar to a recovery disk that would have x64 bit version and would create its own partition hidden partition? Or am I crazy for buying a the core2duo t7300 64 bit processor and wanting to actually use the 64 bit processing??

-Thanks alot!

 

There really is little point to using a 64 bit OS, as the driver support will be worse, and the software that can actually use 64 bit technology is few and far between.

 

well.. not yet, but say in 6 months? or a year...

 

I understand. I've been reading about 64-bit computing for about 5 years and I am anxious to jump in as well. I say go for it. Provided you do a little research first and make sure that if you absolutely must use a certain program or use a certain piece of hardware that it will operate with the 64-bit OS.

I called Microsoft and inquire about getting a 64-bit disk if I purchased a computer with Vista Ultimate pre-installed. They said they don't offer it for OEM/pre-installed Vista they only offer for retail purchases (They ship the 64-bit OS for $10 if you purchased it retail). They further suggested that it was up discretion to the manufacturer (Lenovo) to provide the 64-bit disk. So I called Lenovo.

The CSR told me that after I ordered online that I could call up and request the 64-bit OS to be pre-installed. He kinda sounded like he was just telling me what I wanted to hear. My call was for pre-sales questions so I didn't press it. I'm still waiting for the T61p to arrive. After I order I will call and push the issue further to see if I really have any options.

 

Bah. First off everything Charr says is correct on directly on point. You do NOT want to go 64-bit. You should only do so if you HAVE to. That means:

1. There is a piece of windows software that you need to run that is exclusively 64-bit (I don't think there are any)

2. You have more than 3GB of RAM

My friend foolishly thought getting 4GB of RAM and running Vista x64 was a cool idea. He came to regret it for the reasons Charr mentioned. Don't buy the hype. Good 64-bit support will come, but there's no reason to rush into it and it wont happen for at least another year. It offers little other than larger addressing space and registers neither of which are interesting or useful if you don't need them (and don't have 64-bit programs anyway).

 

My ole 64bit test for people that insist they need it:

"Name me one piece of software you are planing to use that will take advantage of 64bit computing."

Word you say? Sorry no advantage. Gaming? Nope not really yet in fact it can be worse as some games will just not work.

Also I can say the same for more than 3gb of RAM:

"When was the last time you actually used more than 2 or 3gb of RAM?"

Sounds cool but in reality it is very hard to use more than 3gb of RAM and in most places I have seen people doing it you would not want to be doing it on a laptop or mainstream PC anyways as other parts start being issues (Processor, Video Card, etc.) (editing huge PS files, doing adv. mechanical design work, video rendering, etc.)

I can play games, multitask like crazy, edit normal size PS files (and even some oversized ones), and more all without getting to close to worry about using all 2gb of my memory.


Now all that being said, if you are just trying to extend your PCenis then by all means try contacting lenovo or try getting a friends x64 disc. Vista keys work for both the 32bit and 64bit versions so you should be good if you can find a x64 disc.

 

There are some security and stability advantages to 64-bit Windows, in addition to the ability to use more than about 3gb of RAM. Unfortunately, the downsides outweigh these advantages for most people right now. Device compatibility is a problem, and there isn't very much software that can take advantage of 64-bit yet.

 

Look 64 bit os's are new and I know they are scary. So I understand why you are afraid.

Two points. One they are the future. When I say that I mean that microsoft is prepared to stop making 32 bit systems. But the second point is the killer. When was the last time you ever bought a piece of hardware that was relevant two years later? How many times were you as the expert asked "What should I buy?" How many times did you answer the most memory you can afford. Or the fastest processor you can get - it will be cheaper and faster tomorrow.

There are facts we live with. The most immutable one is that its always faster - cheaper -BROADER - tomorrow. 64 bit today says one thing. I know what tomorrow looks like.

The coup de grace in my case is this - run a 64 bit host with a 32 guest on your shiny new 64 processor. Make me happy. Have your cake and eat it too. While you are at it use that 4+ gig's of memory.

 

To swarmer:

There are no such stability advantages. If I'm wrong provide a link. Vista x64 is exactly like x32 only with 64 bit addressing and 32 bit legacy support. If I'm wrong provide a link.

To stankso

LOL. "Look 64 bit os's are new and I know they are scary". Just, LOL. I'm a little teddy bear stankso, hug me and make x64 meanie go away!

Anyway on a serious point, to quote myself:

"Good 64-bit support will come, but there's no reason to rush into it and it wont happen for at least another year."

64 bit operating systems ARE the future. Eventually. But like Vista IS the future support isn't there yet. Many system programs including alcohol120 require 64 bit versions to run on 64 bit Vista. If you don't have to switch why would you? This is an obvious rhetorical question because the answer is you don't and that's precisely why all major vendors come standard with 32 bit Vista on 64 bit processors.

By the way I'm either drunk or half of what you said makes no sense. Hint: I'm not drunk. For instance:

"64 bit today says one thing. I know what tomorrow looks like."

What are you on? The more I read your post, the more amusing it becomes. This is another good one:

"Make me happy. Have your cake and eat it too. While you are at it use that 4+ gig's of memory."

No ones going to deny that you can run 32 bit programs on a 64 bit OS. That's really not the point at all.

 

64 bit on a Core 2 Duo isn't a very good idea, at least until theres native 64 bit applications. When you use the 64 bit extensions in the cpu, it turns off some of the performance enhancing parts of the cpu. So any non 64 bit apps might even run slower because of the handicap.

Sorry I can't provide any links, Anandtech's abysmal search engine doesn't really help. I'm just saying what I remember from the Conroe launch so I don't remember the specifics.

 

I run Vista 64-Bit on my desktop (Where I do serious gaming), and on my T61(programming with 64-bit matlab). Drivers have really come along since the release of vista and I have no problems at all running any program that I want to.

If you want to run 64-bit, run it. Don't spread FUD just because you don't want to run it.

 

There is nothing like a sense of humor on an internet forum. I am glad you have one. We both agree that 64 bit is coming the only question remaining is when the switch will occur. For me its whenever I can get lenovo to ship my computer .

 

i only run linux, and have been very unimpressed with vista.
how can a company spend billions of dollars and that be the end result?

however, since i still need certain apps for my job, i have to dual boot.
i'll be doing so with Vista Enterprise 64bit
from the stuff I've read, lots of the cool things in vista are only on the 64bit

 

I heard about people having lot's of issues with XP 64-bit, but jstigall's experience is usually what I hear about Vista 64-bit. I can provide links to information about much improved stability and driver support for Vista 64-bit vs XP 64-bit. Too lazy to search for them at the moment. Anyway, I've already read the articles. You can do the google search if you want to learn more.

Like what?

Personally I don't understand the problem running 64-bit Vista if you have done your homework and you know your hardware has driver support and your software is compatible. The reduction in performance that comes with running 32-bit apps on a 64-bit system is not something that would be noticed by the user; it's just something a benchmark will demonstrate.

This to me seems similar to people jumping on the turbo memory bandwagon. There doesn't seem to be a point in having turbo memory right now. Performance might even be slightly reduced. However, there are those who still buy into it because they believe that proper BIOS and/or drivers will prove it's worth and justify the cost. So I'll buy turbo memory today and hope that it'll be worth it tomorrow. Sure "tomorrow" might not ever come, but no real harm done. Again, the reduction in performance using turbo memory is not something that would be noticed by the user; it's just something a benchmark will demonstrate. However, the benefits of turbo memory (and Vista 64-bit) in theory are worth giving it a try.

 

I've only been running 64 bit Vista for a couple of years. I need it for my software development. I think the reports of the driver problems are great over exaggerated. I haven't had any problems other than the Lenovo BIOS upgrade ISO doesn't work under 64 bit.