T60p Windows upgrade questions

[sbjoe]

I guess it's time to do something now that end of support for xp is nigh. I've a couple of what I hope are fairly specific questions and wouldn't mind at all hearing opinions as to the relative merits of 7 & 8 as relates to this old machine.

First of all, a quick search didn't reveal anything about 64-bit versions of windows. So the first question is whether the published 4 GB limitation on installed memory is fixed in stone or is that just a limitation imposed by 32-bit windows? So has anyone actually installed more than 4 GB in a 64-bit environment to any effect?

And of course the corollary to that question is whether there are any real disadvantages to running 64-bit windows, particularly with hardware virtualization enabled and in xp compatibility mode. My idea of gaming is on the order of FreeCell so I certainly don't need a pocket rocket; as long as it isn't slowed to an absolute crawl I'm good.

[Cigarguy]

Win 7 or 8 will work just fine on a higher spec T60. Being that yours is a T60p, it's definitely juiced up. All my T60 have 3 GB RAM, at least a T7200 and a SSD. It runs Win 7 32 bit very nicely for my needs (Internet and Office). Of all the Thinkpads that I have, the T60 generation is my all time favourite. Love the Flexview screen, 4:3 screen ration, size and construction quality.

3 GB is a chipset limitation and is a hard ceiling. You can install 2x2GB modules but the machine can only see and use 3 GB. So in that sense, there really is no benefit to using a 64 bit OS. IMO, a 64 bit OS is a detriment on these machine.

As with any machine, the biggest and best upgrade is a SSD.

[sbjoe]

Win 7 or 8 will work just fine on a higher spec T60. Being that yours is a T60p, it's definitely juiced up. All my T60 have 3 GB RAM, at least a T7200 and a SSD. It runs Win 7 32 bit very nicely for my needs (Internet and Office). Of all the Thinkpads that I have, the T60 generation is my all time favourite. Love the Flexview screen, 4:3 screen ration, size and construction quality.

3 GB is a chipset limitation and is a hard ceiling. You can install 2x2GB modules but the machine can only see and use 3 GB. So in that sense, there really is no benefit to using a 64 bit OS. IMO, a 64 bit OS is a detriment on these machine.

As with any machine, the biggest and best upgrade is a SSD.

Many thanks. I was afraid that would turn out to be the case, but I was just hoping that one of my machines would be suitable for running xp compatibility mode. Guess I'll just have to suck it up and adapt.

[Cigarguy]

I loved and still love XP but switched over completely when Win 7 came out. Did not care for Vista and never have, never will. As with any new MS OS, I'll give it all a good try about 6 months after initial release. Don't care for Win 8 myself and probably never will care for Win 8. Chances are I'll end up loving Win 9.

When it comes to MS, I find every second release of Windows is usually best. IMO, Vista was not good until SP 2 after which MS repackaged it and released it as Win 7. I believe they'll do the same with Win 8. Win 95 and Win 98 was the same for me as is ME and XP. From MS perspective, being that they own a monopoly, it's a good way to generate and maintain revenue while saving $$ of product testing. Let the consumer do it.

[Saucey]

I just like to chime in and say there isn't much of a benefit of installing a 64-bit Windows on a T60.

Unless you have a program that is strictly 64-bit OS only.
Plus there would be two program files folder because MicroSoft decided to separate 32 and 64 bit programs (or should I say apps).
But if you sell the unit, installing Win7 in 64-bit can be a gimmick to say it isn't outdated.

[sbjoe]

My only reason for wanting to install 64-bit was the vain hope that it might be a way around the 3GB limit on memory, but as that hope has been dashed it's really no longer an issue with me.

IIRC, though, Win7Pro does allow for running Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode. I've gone into the bios and enabled hardware-assisted virtualization. I guess what I'm wondering is whether the machine is robust enough to be able to effectively run XP Mode or whether I'm just flirting with turning it into a complete slug or worse. Anybody btdt?

[Penultimate]

I have a T60 widescreen that is set up to dual boot Win7 32 bit as well as Win8 64 bit, and I recall seeing claims that the 64 bit dual core processor COULD make use of all 4 gig worth of memory in a 64 bit environment.

I am not personally asserting this, and have not tried it (only because I dont have 2x2gb ram sticks) but on Lenovo forums I recall reading explanations of how all 4gb could be utilized ONLY in a 64 gb OS environment + dual core processor. Supposedly each core could use 2 gb under those circumstances.

If I am wrong, I apologize, but I am not certain the answer being given on this topic is accurate, and have seen exactly the opposite advice.

[ajkula66]

If I am wrong, I apologize, but I am not certain the answer being given on this topic is accurate, and have seen exactly the opposite advice.

You ARE wrong.

This particular subject has been discussed a zillion times.

The CPU doesn't make a difference here, and neither does the OS.

Chipset limitation is 3GB and that's the end of that story.

[sbjoe]

...IIRC, though, Win7Pro does allow for running Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode. I've gone into the bios and enabled hardware-assisted virtualization. I guess what I'm wondering is whether the machine is robust enough to be able to effectively run XP Mode or whether I'm just flirting with turning it into a complete slug or worse. Anybody btdt?

It's beginning to look like I'm going to have to play the guinea pig here. Has no one here really ever run Win7Pro with Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode enabled on a T60 or T60p?

[ajkula66]

I'm curious: why do you feel the need for XP mode?

A T60 will run W7 - preferably 32-bit in my opinion - like a deer. Are your using some proprietary software that doesn't play nice with W7?

[sbjoe]

Bingo!

[ajkula66]

Well, if that's the case, guinea pig I pronounce thee...

Good luck.