Another 64 question

[peanut]

I know, i know so many questions from one person about the same topic. Anyway, I know the 64 bit windows is pretty new, so I have plenty of questions for anyone with the knowledge to answer them. My next question is, Will my current programs like Nero, Limewire, Adaware, Dvd Shrink, and so on work on a 64 bit windows system? I dont know if these programs care what operating system you have.

[bobjim1705]

Most programs (such as the one's you've listed) aren't particularly picky about what operating sytem they work on. There's no real fundamental difference between Windows XP and Windows XP 64 bit, since they're both built on the same underlying technology.

[OBonio]

The fundamental difference between XP 64 and normal XP is that XP 64 takes advantage of an extra 32 bits of data per register.... twice the amount normal XP handles.

This has huge implications in how the system runs. This may help you :

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/64bit/russel_x6 4faq.mspx

[fo3nix]

bobjim: maybe the programs will work fine, but wont the drivers for all your devices need to be re-written for the 64-bit architecture?

peanut: why do you want to change over anyway? it wont be that much faster than 32-bit windows anyway (not as fast as many people think, anyway).

[vehelpfulguy]

I would NOT go to Windows 64 bit yet. Even if you have a 64 bit processor (AMD for example) you will not gain much and may have all sorts of problems.

With any new technology there is a chicken and egg situation. Companies will not write software, or drivers, for 64 bit windows because not many people are on it.

And not many people are on it becase there is no software or drivers for it.

There is no doubt that in a year or so people will start moving to 64 bit, but as yet I would not bother, you are just giving yourself lots of potential problems.

[bobjim1705]

fo3nix: Yeah, getting the new drivers is a pain, but I mentioned that in peanut's previous thread here:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Internet-and-Technology/Q uestion191868.html

[fo3nix]

yup bob, found it just after i'd posted here ;) hehe.

though to be honest, i didn't think programs that rely on lower-level processes like nero would work either.

[peanut]

Again, thank you for your responses. I did order the windows 64 but i don't nessesarily have to install it right now, especially since i cant even find a security program for it yet. What i really want to do for the time being is reinstall windows xp home ed. on a new hard drive. The only problem i see with that is that its a dell disc and even if it will install on a non-dell computer, i dont think i want all of the extras dell put on thier disc. Also, i have seen 64 bit in operation and it is considerably faster from what ive seen.