Software for Vista Business/Business 64 all the same?

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Performa636CD · #1 Post by **Performa636CD** » Mon May 18, 2009 8:54 am

So I just ordered a T400 and I purchased it with Windows Vista Business 64. I was told that as long as the software is designed for Vista, whether I had Business 64 or Business [32], the software would run just fine. Is that correct?

#2 Post by **jdhurst** » Mon May 18, 2009 9:32 am

Strictly speaking NO. I have a number of applications (VPN, Fax Software, xPlorer2, digestit, Foxit filter to name some) that come in both 64-bit and 32-bit renditions and the 32-bit software will not run in 64-bit. Sometimes the upgrades are free and sometimes not. Further, I had to change some tools (Fax, VPN) where the product that ran in XP was not being developed for Vista 64-bit and a new product had to be licensed.

Now 64-bit is the future, and I believe it would be a strategic blunder at this late date to use a 32-bit platform just to avoid software upgrades. If the application won't work in 64-bit Vista, it won't work in 64-bit Windows 7 (just around the corner). So I would recommend moving on, getting your 64-bit OS, and then upgrade the software that won't install. ... JDH

Performa636CD · #3 Post by **Performa636CD** » Mon May 18, 2009 11:15 am

But if the software was designed for Vista Business or Vista Ultimate (32 bit), then wouldn't it most likely work on the 64 bit versions of those operating systems? I'm referring to software that is not released in both 32 and 64 bit editions.

#4 Post by **jdhurst** » Mon May 18, 2009 11:54 am

If it was designed for Vista 32-bit, there is no guarantee at all that it will work in 64-bit. So the answer that I gave you remains: Try it. If it works, great. If it doesn't, upgrade to the 64-bit version or to different software. The reason vendors have both versions is that their 32-bit version doesn't work in 64-bit. They don't spend money developing software they don't need. ... JDH

Performa636CD · #5 Post by **Performa636CD** » Mon May 18, 2009 12:10 pm

jdhurst wrote:If it was designed for Vista 32-bit, there is no guarantee at all that it will work in 64-bit. So the answer that I gave you remains: Try it. If it works, great. If it doesn't, upgrade to the 64-bit version or to different software. The reason vendors have both versions is that their 32-bit version doesn't work in 64-bit. They don't spend money developing software they don't need. ... JDH

Ok, thanks for the heads up.

Out of curiosity, is there a particular way a 32 bit application will refuse to work in a 64 bit OS? Will the OS freeze? Blue Screen of Death? The application crashes? Or "it depends?"

#6 Post by **jdhurst** » Mon May 18, 2009 12:35 pm

Most of the software I have tried simply won't install. Some software installs and breaks. But none (of what I have used) has caused Vista to crash. I learned very early on to check for 64-bit availability when installing new software. ... JDH

Performa636CD · #7 Post by **Performa636CD** » Mon May 18, 2009 1:15 pm

Ok, thanks

I have an Apple I can use to run necessary school software if for some reason it won't work in Vista Business 64.

#8 Post by **jdhurst** » Mon May 18, 2009 1:30 pm

Sounds fine. So far the only piece of software left that I want that has no 64-bit availabilty won't run in Apple either. So I keep a Windows XP Virtual Machine on my Vista 64-bit box to do that. ... JDH

#9 Post by **jdhurst** » Tue May 19, 2009 2:38 pm

Just a follow-up. When you get your machine, dial it into the Lenovo support site for your model and see how often Lenovo provides 2 drivers - one for 64-bit and the other for 32-bit machines. ... JDH

Performa636CD · #10 Post by **Performa636CD** » Tue May 19, 2009 3:26 pm

jdhurst wrote:Just a follow-up. When you get your machine, dial it into the Lenovo support site for your model and see how often Lenovo provides 2 drivers - one for 64-bit and the other for 32-bit machines. ... JDH

What would this tell me about 64 bit compatibility?

#11 Post by **bill bolton** » Tue May 19, 2009 5:37 pm

Performa636CD wrote:Is that correct?

It is correct for most common applications. In some cases you may need a specific x64 version as JDH has noted.

Cheers,

Bill B.

#12 Post by **jdhurst** » Tue May 19, 2009 7:14 pm

Performa636CD wrote:<snip>
What would this tell me about 64 bit compatibility?

What it tells you is that by and large 32-bit machines and 64-bit machines are incompatable. Yes - some bland 32-bit software will work in a 64-bit environment under compatability mode. But heavy duty software (Audio, Video, Wired ethernet, Wireless ethernet, VPN software, modem/fax software) - things that touch the structure of the OS - must be programmed separately for 64-bit. ... JDH

Software for Vista Business/Business 64 all the same?

Software for Vista Business/Business 64 all the same?

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Re: Software for Vista Business/Business 64 all the same?

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