4 gb on 32-bit OS

Is there a substantial difference if I upgrade my OS to a 64-bit one with only 4gb ram? Thanks.

 

Yes, there is. Read these topics.

 

Is it possible to clone my hard drive and then clean install on the one in my laptop but later copy the clone on to my laptop in order to avoid reinstalling everything?

 

No, that would only save your data. Programs will still have to be reinstalled.

 

what about users and settings?

 

You can probably back up users and settings using the Windows Easy Transfer wizard (comes with Vista) and an external hard disk or a DVD. (I haven't done it, but I think you can.)

For data, there are plenty of backup utilities around, or just copy the folders using Explorer.

For programs, you just have to reinstall them.

 

You can transfer profiles if you remove the passwords on all user accounts, recreate the users on the new install, then copy the "Users" folder from the clone to the new installation.

 

difference? yes

substantial difference? no you will probably never even notice any difference unless your managing to use all ~3.2gb of ram you have now with some very ram intensive programs.

 

Depending on which 32bit OS, you can use more than 16GB of ram.

 

PAE sucks.

 

Never said it was good. Although you can use more than 4GB of ram, but having that ability takes a little performance hit. It's better to run a 64bit OS instead.

 

Yes.

You should definitely do it.

 

For less than 800mb of ram I would probably stick with x86 personally because there are a handfull of very handy tools/programs I like to use that do not run in x64.

However above 4gb of ram for sure x64 is the way to go, but still almost nobody is ever going to use 4 gb of ram in a laptop unless they are doing some tasks more suited for a desktop in the first place.

 

What are these handy tools/programs that won't run in Vista 64bit? Are they from 10 years ago or something? Vista 64bit OS will run majority of the 32bit programs perfectly. However, it won't run 16bit programs.

 

Correct, and so happens a lot of good tools/programs are 16 bit, esp if your into emulation.

The main program that comes to mind is PPJoy it wont work in 64bit and its the only program of its kind and the tool I need to use analog axis with my wiimote on my computer.

You have not played a game until you played it with one of my custom wiimote scripts! It makes it more realistic and more fun.

If you played metroid prime 3 on the wii, you know the control scheme, now imaging playing like that for FEAR, or Oblivion, it can be done and works flawlessly.

Imagin playing need for speed with the wiimote & wheel like mario kart wii where you tilt the wheel to turn, it can be done and works flawlessly, however most of the advanced scripts require analog axis and ppjoy is required to map the wiimote signals to a windows joystick based analog axis.

I also have a hand full of old games that wont run on x64.

I have x64 on my desktop & laptop both, but for only 4gb of ram I wouldnt do it, I have 8gb on my desktop and 6gb on my laptop.