Windows Vista x64 Compatibility Issue

http://winsupersite.com/reviews/winvista_rc1_02.asp

i'm sorry if my post if a bit confusing but please bear with me.

in paul thurrot's latest review it still says that the vista 64-bit edition is "compatibility hell" and he suggest that we were to install the 32-bit version instead.

isn't with core2duo and amd 64 processor would make all (well.. on most cases anyway) new pc 64-bit by next year? so, if we buy a pc next year, the 64-bit vista is already pre-installed, right? so how could we use 32-bit version of windows in 64-bit CPU? is that even possible? in that case will next year be a horrible time to buy a computer?

btw, i wanna buy a computer next year, presumably the next version of qosmio w/ santa rosa platform? when can i expect that to arrived? (i'm guessing h1 2007) will it be a good idea in software-point-of view?

thanks

 

You can still run 32-bit Windows on a 64-bit CPU

 

i know, that is the case now, but next year, ALL windows vista version that we're likely to see gonna get 64-bit capability right out of the box, aren't we're forced to use 64-bit version if we have core2duo CPU?

 

Core 2 Duo is just like the Athlon 64. It's fully capable of running 32- and 64-bit applications natively.

 

No one are going to drop 32-bit compatibility any time soon. At least, no one sane. Applications only recently dropped Win98 compatibility, and that OS is 8 years old now. Especially if there are compatibility issues with the 64-bit version, everyone are going to keep supporting 32-bit.

 

no, i know that they are still supporting 32-bit, but i'm worried that the new pc might comes in with 64-bit version of windows AUTOMATICALLY installed (because all windows vista version comes in 32-bit and 64-bit support built in, depending on ur CPU).

i guess i should rephrase my question... if i buy a pc next year with windows vista 64-bit pre installed, i shouldn't have problem with driver and software issues?

oh, thanks for putting up with me , i wanna know if i buy computer next year like in June; would i experience any software/driver issue (assuming i install all-new software purchased on june also)

 

vista has the ability to allow any app running in compatibility mode, u should have "almost" no issue on this

cheers ...

 

Any *regular app*, yes. Drivers still have to be written for 64 bit. And like with WinXP vs x64, dll's still have to be either 32 or 64 bit, which can cause a problem for plugins. (For example, X64 comes with a 64-bit version of IE, which works fine, except it can't load standard plugins like Flash or Shockwave.)

 

So would new pc next year that have 64-bit CPU has 64-bit version of windows pre installed? is it alright to buy them? is it a good time to buy at june next year?

thanks

 

Who knows what software would come bundled a year from now.
But most of the time, when you buy a PC, you get to choose between a few different versions of Windows (At the moment, you typically get the choice of Home vs Professional)

But *if* they bundle the 64-bit version aggressively, I think it's a safe bet that 64-bit will work without a problem. Do you think anyone would keep their business long if their strategy was "hey, let's preinstall an OS that isn't compatible with what the users want/need"

So *if* there are problems with 64 bit which aren't going to get solved, the standard will stay 32-bit.

 

Actually, according to Paul Thurrott's review, it was not the hardware that was the problem, it was the software. Personally, I don't think that all computers will come with Vista x64 next year. Maybe the year after that. But next year... I think everyone will be getting used to a new OS and computer architecture that they'll still come with Vista x86 installed. AMD has been making their 64-bit computers for a long time, but most of them still don't ship with Windows XP x64.

Also, keep in mind that every Vista version (besides Starter and maybe Home Basic) will ship with both 32-bit and x64 versions included. If you get a new computer, I don't know if you could get the installation DVDs for both versions, but I know that's what Microsoft has planned.

 

yeah i know, i'am not worried about the hardware. i'm worried about the driver and FULL software compatibility.

 

btw, the reason i'm worried is becaused microsoft planned to include the x86 and x64 in one disk, and i'm worried if computer manufacturer just installed the x64 version coz their CPU is 64-bit, eventhough the driver and software is not ready...

 

If you have a license for Vista, you've got a license for Vista, which means (at least assuming the non-crappy versions) *both* x86 and x64.

If it works anything like Windows x64, you do have software compatiblity, but you will never get driver compatibilty. Drivers have to be made for either a 64 bit or 32 bit OS, and there's no way around that. But put it like this:
Either 64 bit takes off, which means everyone are going to make 64-bit versions of their software, drivers and whatever else.
Or 32 bit stays the standard, and vendors will sell computers with that preinstalled, simply because they're not *that* stupid.

Anyway, another, less pessimistic article about Vista 64 bit:
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=34190

 

thanks jalf that made me feel better, though the article don't

 

Vista x64 works without a problem already. There are lost of driver for it too, but not all. So if notebook manufacturer would have all the drivers for x64 - they could install Vista x64 - and you would not see any difference.
There are 2 version of IE on x64 - x32 and x64 - so you can choose to run IE x32 and then you can use all the plugins (like Flash)...
Also x64 is about 10-15% faster in 3DMark06 and about 2x faster in wPrime...
So if you have all the drivers - then x64 is definitely the right choice...

 

And your resurrected this post because?...?