Howdy all, I have a question. I bought a spare 64-bit laptop not long ago not realizing how much crap does not work with Vista 64-bit; e.g the ADSL CD required to install my ADSL modem...grrrrr!

My question is this - Are computers built a certain way to only work as a 64-bit or 32-bit machine? I know you can only use so much RAM with 32-bit and that you can use more with 64-bit (over the 32-bit limit), but I honestly do not know any other differences between the two...besides the fact that a lot of stuff doesn't seem to run on a 64-bit machine. (Again I say grrrrr!!!) Can I buy a copy of Windows 7 32-bit and install it, or is there going to be some issue with my motherboard (or other hardware) since it is currently a 64-bit machine?

Thanks...and sorry for coming off as a complete newb.

been wondering the close to the same thing, I have more ram in my machicne than 32 bit vista will use, planned on getting windows 7 since my machine qualifies for upgrade, but wanted to know if I could get windows 7 64 bit to utilize all my ram.

As far as I know, the upgrades are only from like to like. So 32-bit Vista upgrade is to 32-bit Windows 7. You could call and complain to them that you got the wrong one and see if they bite.

The answer to the first question is yes 64-bit capable processors are backwards capable, i.e. can run 32-bit OS. It won't take advantage of higher RAM addresses though. The processor may be capable, but the OS won't be using the space.

If you have 4gb or more of ram and a 64 bit capable processor, spend the extra cheese to get a full version of Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.

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World of Warcraft: Kallaystra, Gweila, Steakumn, Tarathia [ Feathermoon/Horde ]

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @2.40Ghz 2.39 Ghz

not sure if that would run 64 bit or not , I R even more newbish

so clue me in

yes, it will.

All core2duos and up are 64 bit capable.

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World of Warcraft: Kallaystra, Gweila, Steakumn, Tarathia [ Feathermoon/Horde ]

Windows 7 is now packaged with both the 32 bit and 64bit versions this time around.

64bit will only work on a 64bit proc. 32bit will only allow 3gig of ram.

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"I'm the best there is at what i do, bub, and what i do isn't very pretty"

Yeah sola, but I don't think you can "upgrade" a 32bit vista install to a 64bit win7 install.

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World of Warcraft: Kallaystra, Gweila, Steakumn, Tarathia [ Feathermoon/Horde ]

No, you can't. Need the 64bit chipset

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"I'm the best there is at what i do, bub, and what i do isn't very pretty"

Well, that's not what I was going for but sure =p

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World of Warcraft: Kallaystra, Gweila, Steakumn, Tarathia [ Feathermoon/Horde ]

Just do a clean install of 7, it takes about 1/4 the time XP did and 1/2 the time Vista does.

Make sure you get the Premium or Professional version.

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"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -Henry Louis Mencken
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VEGETARIAN -Noun (vej-i-tair-ee-uhn): Ancient tribal slang for the village idiot who can't hunt, fish or ride.

I'd say home premium or ultimate, but that's just me

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World of Warcraft: Kallaystra, Gweila, Steakumn, Tarathia [ Feathermoon/Horde ]

Noob question: In order to do a clean install, do you have to wipe your HD(s) or are there ways around that?

clean install == wipe.

back your shit up and do it. upgrades are for suckers who want problems.

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World of Warcraft: Kallaystra, Gweila, Steakumn, Tarathia [ Feathermoon/Horde ]

Yea, I suppose if I get a 64-bit version, I can bite the bullet and do a clean install. I just hate losing my pirated software. Some of that Adobe stuff took an act of God to work right. p

Thanks for the input folks. I guess I'll try the 64-bit version and see how that goes. I just want my programs to work...that is my main concern. Hopefully it all works as it should.

I've used the 64bit version of vista and now 7 for a combined 3 years Heath, and I have yet to run across a program that does not work, and i have some really old programs.

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"I'm the best there is at what i do, bub, and what i do isn't very pretty"

I have 7 Pro, 32 bit running on a laptop right now. I have the 64 bit version for my desktop, but I'm hesitant to load it right now because of the problems I've had with this laptop. I keep getting video driver errors on the laptop where the whole thing will freeze. It only seems to happen if I am not using the laptop for an extended period of time and leave it on though. I don't want to run into this issue on the desktop and that's the only thing that is keeping me from installing it.

Other than that, it is sooooo much better than Vista.