Can 64 bit Vista be used on my 32 bit X60s ?

[rexy]

Hi.
I am thinking about buying oem Vista Ultimate for my 170463U.
Can I buy and use the 64 bit version on my 32 bit x60s?
This way when I upgrade my system to the 64 bit chip, I don't have to buy the OS again.
Even though the version is 64 bit will my system be able to use it
At least as 32 bit?
Or do I have to use only the 32 bit version now?
Thanks Nick.


Can't wait for Santa Rosa!

[dfumento]

See my reply to your same posting in the X60 forum.

[rexy]

Hi thanks for the reply.
Maybe I should try to explain things better.
I am getting a new Hard Drive sent to me Monday by Lenovo to replace my
buggy one.
Since it is going to be clean ( without any OS) I am thinking about either loading it with Full Vista ( ultimate) or loading the xp then adding a vista upgrade.
I understand my TP now can't work in 64 bit, only 32 bit. But...
If I get the 64 bit version of vista can I run it in 32 bit mode now,
and full 64 bit mode in the future if I put the HD in a 64 bit TP?
My thinking is in a few months with the new thinkpads with Santa Rosa ( and as you wrote: with better 64 bit support) coming out I can use the HD in that machine and save $ by not having to buy ( and reinstall ) vista all over again.
I SMALL way to future-proof the O.S. as much as possible.
Hope this helps. Nick.

[clarksonknights]

The retail versions of Vista include both 32 and 64 bit editions on the DVD. However, for typical use, I would highly suggest waiting a while before making the switch. There is just not enough programs written for the 64 bit platform yet.

[brentpresley]

The retail versions of Vista include both 32 and 64 bit editions on the DVD. However, for typical use, I would highly suggest waiting a while before making the switch. There is just not enough programs written for the 64 bit platformyet.

I've been using the 64-bit betas and RCs for 6 months now.

Except for the rare driver for a scanner or all-in-one Vista64 works VERY well with all the 32-bit programs I have tried except Lacerte (professional tax software) and hard disk/AV utilities (which there are GOOD 64-bit versions already out). The reason 32-programs run (at all) it that Vista 64-bit is actually 2 OSes in one. When the OS boots, it loads the 64-bit kernel, and then it loads WOW (Windows on Windows - a 32-bit wrapper for all your 32-bit applications). Since the VAST majority of programs do not need to write directly to the hardware, this will allow MOST 32-bit programs to work just fine.

Anandtech has a nice Vista performance review out. Surprisingly, int their tests the 32-bit programs running on the 64-bit version are only 1-5% slower.


And to answer the OP's question, 64-bit Vista WILL NOT even install on your machine unless you are running a Core 2 Duo processor.

[DAH]

The retail versions of Vista include both 32 and 64 bit editions on the DVD. However, for typical use, I would highly suggest waiting a while before making the switch. There is just not enough programs written for the 64 bit platform yet.

Do you claim to know more than Jim Allchin? If you buy the retail version of Windows Vista, then you are licensed to use either the 32-bit version or the 64-bit version. That said, we only include the 32-bit software in the package--- unless you buy the Windows Vista Ultimate (which includes both versions). If you purchase the retail product and you want the 64-bit versions, then you can contact Microsoft and we will send you a disk.

[rexy]

Thanks for the info.
one more question, please.
With my new Hard Drive, since it is shipping with the XP disks do I actually have to physically install the xp on the hard drive first then install the Vista upgrade version,
or can I just use the XP product key on the cds to install the Vista Upgrade.
In other words, does XP have to be loaded on the TP or just prove that I have it?
Does Vista upgrade need any of XP's ( ata, files, programs) to work?

Nick.

[DAH]

Thanks for the info.
one more question, please.
With my new Hard Drive, since it is shipping with the XP disks do I actually have to physically install the xp on the hard drive first then install the Vista upgrade version,
or can I just use the XP product key on the cds to install the Vista Upgrade.
In other words, does XP have to be loaded on the TP or just prove that I have it?
Does Vista upgrade need any of XP's ( ata, files, programs) to work?

Nick.

In the past Microsoft has only required that you have the CDs the problem as I see it is IBM does not include the XP cd. You don't have the original XP cd, only a RandR cd set. My guess is you'll need to install it, then use the advance install to erase the XP partition, and install Vista.

[rexy]

Is there any downside to installing the upgrade version as oppossed to a clean install?
Other then the intial set-up maybe taking longer?
Would the Vista upgrade be a frankenstein mix of some leftover stuff from XP and most from Vista, or will all of XP's Data be fully erased?
Nick.