VISTA - You have a 64bit CPU - But do you get 32bit OS for compability?

Gimpymoo · 8 Jan 2007 at 21:32

Dont know if this is just myself being very silly, but I am very confused as to where to spend my £135 on Vista OEM.

I have a 64bit CPU so logic tells me to get the 64bit VISTA OEM. Logic tells me any compatibility issues with apps will be worked out and the WOW feature should be pretty rock solid by now and as for drivers, manufacturers should be releasing Vista capable 32bit drivers as we speak.

HOWEVER, my brain then kicks in and says, wait.... What if compatibility issues are not resolved and manufacturers do not support fully support 64bit? What about that old but usefull wi-fi card... only £10 for a new one, but is not the point.

I then think, i'll get the 32bit VISTA OEM then think, hang on, isnt that a little silly spending £135 on a 32bit OS when 64bit will standard in a few years.. Or will it????

Also, if I replace my Motherboard in 2 years time, I presume I will need a new copy of Vista?

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

PLEASE HELP.

Muchos Grazias.

Gimpymoo · 8 Jan 2007 at 21:41

Im sure in the past when ive changed a Mobo with an OEM copy of XP, I rang them and they did it manually over the phone and didnt bat an eye lid.

Gimpymoo · 8 Jan 2007 at 21:43

That is good news, but we all know driver signing doesnt mean anything... you just click the "I DONT CARE, CARRY ON" button.

Unless VISTA ONLY installs signed drivers?

NathanE said:
Vista 32-bit already breaks a lot of backward compatibility. So you may as well go that 10% further and get Vista x64.

LOL

Doesn't VISTA have some funky XP driver emulation built in or something allowing you to use XP drivers? If this exists, can you use 32bit XP drivers on 64bit Vista?

Gimpymoo · 9 Jan 2007 at 01:14

Goes off to google the "Market Place" feature.

Gimpymoo · 9 Jan 2007 at 21:22

Thanks all.

To be honest.. im still no close to deciding.. Im loathed to buy the 32bit now only to have to buy the 64bit in 2 years time.

SURVEY TIME ME THINKS.

1. Is there ANY way of getting unsigned drivers to run on Vista x64?
2. Will HAVING to get drivers signed deter some manufacturers from releasing 64bit Vista drivers?
3. How many years before 64bit REALLY takes off?
4. Will 64bit Vista be in ready supply from manufacturers come March or will it be ignored by them and deemed a gimmick?

Gimpymoo · 10 Jan 2007 at 12:43

Thanks for all the posts guys....

I THINK I am going to choose the 64bit version.

Simply because I think that although at first, nothing is going to work due to drivers etc, in a years time, things will be a lot better.

Look here next week for posts along the lines of:

"£$%^%$£ M$, 6 year old webcam not working, help" - LOL

I think there will be problems with 64bit at the start, but in the long run, I would only be delaying the purchase if I got 32bit now.

64bit computing has been a long time coming, we all knew the transition would not be smooth, but it is here.. so lets just hop on and enjoy the party.

Gimpymoo · 10 Jan 2007 at 21:30

I would like the Ultimate edition to play with, so retail is not an option for me.

Im prepared to bite the bullet... if some of the smaller apps dont run, then so be it.. annoying it will be, but time to change some time.

Annoying as I want to get a USB DVB-T TV tuner.. guess that will have to wait and before buying ANYTHING in the next few months, maybe a year.. I'll have be more picky as to seeing if drivers are available before I buy.

Im all set for XP64.. I know this time next week i'll be crying.. nevermind.