Vista 32? 64? Upgrade?

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   I was about ready to order a PC from another company until I read reviews on them and Digital Storm.  DS seems to stand out above the rest.  However, I do have a few questions in regard to what I should order.  I'm planning on getting a Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 based PC.

Even though XP is stable, I want to avoid the upgrade from XP to Vista (wiping everything out, re-installing all applications, and paying MS twice) and just get Vista installed on my new box.  I know that I can run XP in virtual mode but it looks like that I would need another XP Product DVD to install it that way and I don't want to buy 2 OSes (and paying MS twice).  See the pattern?

I thought that my question was going to be:  Should I get Vista Ulimate 32 bit or 64 bit?  

But, then I did some research.

For example, Zone Alarm has always worked great for me.  They have a version for Vista, but not for Vista 64.  This is what their support page says:

ZA does not currently support Windows XP 64 or Vista 64. However, at times we may have a Vista64 beta available for users to test. Users who are interested in joining the ZoneAlarm private beta tester group may email us at [email protected].

So, perhaps it won't be long but the point is that some things that run fine in Vista 32 won't run in Vista 64.  

The main thing that I want to use the new PC for is to do video editing and rendering using Sony Vegas, including editing photos with Corel Paint Shop Pro, editing audio with several applications, and burning it all on DVDs.  For example, I have a Primera Bravo II disc duplicator and printer for making many discs at once.  Their knowledge base says that they have 32 bit drivers but not 64 bit drivers.  It says: 

Windows was unable to install the driver - Error appears when attempting to install driver on Windows Vista.
This error will appear if you are attempting to install a Primera 32-bit driver on Windows Vista 64-bit edition.  Primera does not currently offer 64-bit drivers.  You will need to install the driver on a 32-bit edition of Windows Vista.
Oh wow.  I thought that a 64 bit OS could run 32 bit applications, but it looks a lot more complicated than that.  It looks like Vista 64 would not work well for me.  Therefore, my question is now:  Should I get Vista Ultimate 32 and later upgrade to 64?  

This is supposed to be available from MS for a "nominal" cost.  Will this be a smooth upgrade or a big problem (re-installing applications and drivers)?

I read this post on a forum:

You cannot upgrade a 32bit operating system to a 64bit one without wiping the 32bit first (and vice versa).
Oh man, this seems painful no matter which way I go.  Given the preferences I stated above and my current situation, any advice?

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Frank Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Quote Reply Topic: Vista 32? 64? Upgrade? Posted: 04 Sep 2007 at 5:57pm
	I was about ready to order a PC from another company until I read reviews on them and Digital Storm. DS seems to stand out above the rest. However, I do have a few questions in regard to what I should order. I'm planning on getting a Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 based PC. Even though XP is stable, I want to avoid the upgrade from XP to Vista (wiping everything out, re-installing all applications, and paying MS twice) and just get Vista installed on my new box. I know that I can run XP in virtual mode but it looks like that I would need another XP Product DVD to install it that way and I don't want to buy 2 OSes (and paying MS twice). See the pattern? I thought that my question was going to be: Should I get Vista Ulimate 32 bit or 64 bit? But, then I did some research. For example, Zone Alarm has always worked great for me. They have a version for Vista, but not for Vista 64. This is what their support page says: ZA does not currently support Windows XP 64 or Vista 64. However, at times we may have a Vista64 beta available for users to test. Users who are interested in joining the ZoneAlarm private beta tester group may email us at [email protected]. So, perhaps it won't be long but the point is that some things that run fine in Vista 32 won't run in Vista 64. The main thing that I want to use the new PC for is to do video editing and rendering using Sony Vegas, including editing photos with Corel Paint Shop Pro, editing audio with several applications, and burning it all on DVDs. For example, I have a Primera Bravo II disc duplicator and printer for making many discs at once. Their knowledge base says that they have 32 bit drivers but not 64 bit drivers. It says: *Windows was unable to install the driver - Error appears when attempting to install driver on Windows Vista.* This error will appear if you are attempting to install a Primera 32-bit driver on Windows Vista 64-bit edition. Primera does not currently offer 64-bit drivers. You will need to install the driver on a 32-bit edition of Windows Vista. Oh wow. I thought that a 64 bit OS could run 32 bit applications, but it looks a lot more complicated than that. It looks like Vista 64 would not work well for me. Therefore, my question is now: Should I get Vista Ultimate 32 and later upgrade to 64? This is supposed to be available from MS for a "nominal" cost. Will this be a smooth upgrade or a big problem (re-installing applications and drivers)? I read this post on a forum: You cannot upgrade a 32bit operating system to a 64bit one without wiping the 32bit first (and vice versa). Oh man, this seems painful no matter which way I go. Given the preferences I stated above and my current situation, any advice?

skyR Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Digital Storm Apprentice Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2220	Quote Reply Posted: 04 Sep 2007 at 6:31pm
	You can back up your data with Windows Easy Transfer that comes on the Windows Vista DVD before installing Windows Vista x64 for a smooth transition. There is a way to force 32 bit drivers to work on 64 bit but I do not recommend it. Go with the 32 bit for now unless you don't mind on using a different printer or buying a new one.
	The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star.

Frank Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Quote Reply Posted: 04 Sep 2007 at 7:14pm
	Thanks Sky. I should have mentioned that the main reasons for wanting Vista 64 is (1) to avoid the upgrade and (2) to go above the 3 GB limit of a 32-bit OS. (I've heard it's supposed to be 4 GB but I've also heard that Windows only uses 3 GB even if you have 4 gigs). For now, I probably don't need more than that anyway. I can wait and get more RAM later. As you say, I can backup and transfer my data, but still must re-install all of my applications. I was trying to avoid that but it looks like there is no way around it. Considering the options, that looks like the best way to go. I'll go with Windows Vista Ultimate 32.

Alex Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Digital Storm Supervisor Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 16314	Quote Reply Posted: 05 Sep 2007 at 12:35am
	Stick with a 32-bit OS, unless you are doing some serious rendering / computing tasks. For a gaming system, 64-bit support isn't matured.

Kaosreyns Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 30 Nov 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Quote Reply Posted: 30 Nov 2007 at 2:04am
	I have a question, is vista worth making the jump to? I've heard it has alot of problems, but DX10 sounds o so nice! Ive been using XP Pro for several years now, and Vista seems.... alot different. Maybe I could cough up a lil extra cash and get a dual boot system.

Alex Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Digital Storm Supervisor Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 16314	Quote Reply Posted: 30 Nov 2007 at 2:19am
	A lot of Vista bugs have been ironed out with updates, etc. If you don't really have anything against Vista, you might as well go with it. Or dual boot.

thecomplex Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 18 Sep 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 230	Quote Reply Posted: 30 Nov 2007 at 9:00am
	Vista is worth it, and I don't even use DX10 that much. Don't even dual boot. It's not that different, just much more streamlined and intuitive. I have 64-bit and haven't had any compatibility issues yet. And it's FAST! Chris
	Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 @ 3.52GHz 4GB DDR2 Corsair 1066MHz Dominator (2) 150GB WD Raptor (10K RPM) (1) 120GB Maxtor (7200RPM) nVidia GeForce 8800GTX 768MB Vista Home Premium 64

Vista 32? 64? Upgrade?

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