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    A question about upgrading to 64bit vista

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by deaffob, Jan 22, 2008.

  1. deaffob

    deaffob Notebook Guru

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    I'm currently using 32bit Vista Business. I was wondering if I want to upgrade to 64bit(I heard upgrading to 64bit doesn't cost me anything), do I have to format the harddisk and install everything again or can I just upgrade the OS to 64 and the process doesn't affect any of my files?
     
    deaffob, Jan 22, 2008
    #1
  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    You'd have to format and reinstall everything. Also, I do not believe that OEM licenses can have their 'bitness' changed so you'd have to buy a new retail copy. Unless you already have a retail copy.

    In my experience, Vista64 has a lot of driver issues and some program incompatibilities. Stick with 32bit unless you have a specific need for 64bit, as the two versions operate almost identically.
     
    Greg, Jan 22, 2008
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  3. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    You have to back up. It will give you a clean install.

    The incompatibilities are really starting to fall for most mainstream programs. Obviously you should first check for compatibilities if you have programs that you need to use.
     
    Lithus, Jan 22, 2008
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  4. orev

    orev Notebook Virtuoso

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    If you have a new laptop you shouldn't have any problems with compatibility. It's really just the people who have upgraded older system that did not originally have Vista on them who have run into problems.
     
    orev, Jan 22, 2008
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  5. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Some older programs (and even current ones) may have 64bit issues. For instances, my copy of Foxit PDF Creator does not work with 64bit Vista...nor does my scanner. And both products are available on store shelves today.
     
    Greg, Jan 22, 2008
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  6. orev

    orev Notebook Virtuoso

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    I suspect the FoxIT problems are related to other security features, not 64bit itself. If you get the open source PDF creator, it allows you to print to PDFs and works on 64bit just fine. Of course, foxit may have decided to implement their PDF driver in a completely different way than all the other PDF creators, so maybe.

    As for the scanner, that's external hardware and is subject to all the usual 64bit driver issues. If you had just the 64bit driver, the host software would work just fine. So yes, you do need to check compatibility for your external hardware.
     
    orev, Jan 22, 2008
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  7. Knightendo

    Knightendo Notebook Consultant

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    Clean install :)
    My Vista64 has been pretty good so far i havent had any major problem or driver relater issues.
     
    Knightendo, Jan 22, 2008
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