Is XP 64 safe? Will it make me happy

I want to use more ram (8 gig) so I plan to switch to XP 64 bit, if I
do, what will I break? I know I can't "upgrade" and that I have to re-
install the OS.

Can I use the same applications, the same anti-virus?

Am I going to have device driver issues like with Vista? I noticed a
couple of posts about RAID issues; I *will* need RAID on this box. Is
XP64 still supported by most Mobo mfrs?

Will Visual Studio work the same?

What will I give up? I loved Windows 2000 server but I couldn't find
anti-virus and other server level software at a reasonable cost. So I
switched to XP, but XP can't handle the big ram mobo's.

Windows 2008 sounds great for Virtual PC's but I think the server
utility app pricing (firewalls and anti-virus etc) will still be out
of my price range.

I need to learn VSTO programming so Linux is not an option (is it?).


Borg Vomit

Borg Vomit <not_phrynicous@hotmail.com> wrote:

>I want to use more ram (8 gig) so I plan to switch to XP 64 bit, if I
>do, what will I break? I know I can't "upgrade" and that I have to re-
>install the OS.

8 gig? WHY? What do you have running that will need that much?

I'd guess that you wouldn't see any improvement.

But I'd also guess that you're obsessed with the idea and that there's
no talking you out of it.

Go for it.

Have you checked the websites for the products you are using to see if they
are supported on XP Pro x64? You certainly do need to check for device
drivers. However, in general you will find wider driver support for Vista
x64 than for XP Pro x64. As for the mobo mfgs you need to check those
websites also. There are a number of anti-virus programs that run fine on
x64. Do your homework before you jump into XP Pro x64.

"Borg Vomit" <not_phrynicous@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:559d7676-1111-49c5-b596-3e76a27fb8a5@q1g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>I want to use more ram (8 gig) so I plan to switch to XP 64 bit, if I
> do, what will I break? I know I can't "upgrade" and that I have to re-
> install the OS.
>
> Can I use the same applications, the same anti-virus?
>
> Am I going to have device driver issues like with Vista? I noticed a
> couple of posts about RAID issues; I *will* need RAID on this box. Is
> XP64 still supported by most Mobo mfrs?
>
> Will Visual Studio work the same?
>
> What will I give up? I loved Windows 2000 server but I couldn't find
> anti-virus and other server level software at a reasonable cost. So I
> switched to XP, but XP can't handle the big ram mobo's.
>
> Windows 2008 sounds great for Virtual PC's but I think the server
> utility app pricing (firewalls and anti-virus etc) will still be out
> of my price range.
>
> I need to learn VSTO programming so Linux is not an option (is it?).
>
>
> Borg Vomit
>
>

You already posted this in the 64bit.general ng. Stick to one ng. You need
to do your homework before deciding. It is a bit much to ask volunteers in
the newsgroups to do it for you.

"Borg Vomit" <not_phrynicous@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:559d7676-1111-49c5-b596-3e76a27fb8a5@q1g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>I want to use more ram (8 gig) so I plan to switch to XP 64 bit, if I
> do, what will I break? I know I can't "upgrade" and that I have to re-
> install the OS.
>
> Can I use the same applications, the same anti-virus?
>
> Am I going to have device driver issues like with Vista? I noticed a
> couple of posts about RAID issues; I *will* need RAID on this box. Is
> XP64 still supported by most Mobo mfrs?
>
> Will Visual Studio work the same?
>
> What will I give up? I loved Windows 2000 server but I couldn't find
> anti-virus and other server level software at a reasonable cost. So I
> switched to XP, but XP can't handle the big ram mobo's.
>
> Windows 2008 sounds great for Virtual PC's but I think the server
> utility app pricing (firewalls and anti-virus etc) will still be out
> of my price range.
>
> I need to learn VSTO programming so Linux is not an option (is it?).
>
>
> Borg Vomit
>
>

On Apr 7, 2:01 pm, Borg Vomit <not_phrynic...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Can I use the same applications, the same anti-virus?

"the same applications" - I do not know every single application you
run. XP64 is highly compatible with 32-bit Windows apps, and does so
with no speed penalty. The only problem apps will be things that
directly access the OS itself (ie. your anti-virus software) and
things that install drivers. Also, shell extensions would need to be
64-bit. Ask your anti-virus software maker about a 64-bit version.

XP64, like Vista64, cannot run 16-bit apps. No DOS or crazy Win3.1
apps allowed!

> Am I going to have device driver issues like with Vista? I noticed a
> couple of posts about RAID issues; I *will* need RAID on this box. Is
> XP64 still supported by most Mobo mfrs?

XP64 is based on the Server 2003 codebase. As such, "servery" stuff,
like RAID, has a high chance of support, and quality support. Check
with your manufacturer! Note that XP64 is a little older than AHCI,
and will require drivers to boot to AHCI SATA drives, which need to
either be slipstreamed or installed from floppy. Hey it's still XP.
Driver support otherwise is fairly strong, though may require some
hunting. I have run XP64 on laptops, and haven't had too much trouble
getting drivers for most devices. The only one I am missing now is a
webcam driver on my Sager, tho it's not a big loss.

> Will Visual Studio work the same?

I'm not aware of any problems with this.

> What will I give up? I loved Windows 2000 server but I couldn't find
> anti-virus and other server level software at a reasonable cost. So I
> switched to XP, but XP can't handle the big ram mobo's.

Server 2000 would need to use PAE to access 4GB+ RAM, and PAE is kinda
ewww.. So 64-bit is a better choice, and a more modern one. Give
up? I have all the functionality I had with XP32 (and Vista64) but I
also have access to 64-bit apps and more RAM. I play games, browse
the web, download stuff, watch movies, etc., without any "giving up"
involved. I don't know what YOU do, so I can't say for sure if you
need to adapt in some special way.

> Windows 2008 sounds great for Virtual PC's but I think the server
> utility app pricing (firewalls and anti-virus etc) will still be out
> of my price range.

If you *need* a server, buy a server OS. XP64 is still a workstation
OS. It's based on server code, but is a workstation. It has
connection limitations and tweaking consistent with a workstation.

I run XP64 on a few machines and it runs smooth and fast.

based on your questions
maybe you should see if
you can master checkers
first.


--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

"Borg Vomit" <not_phrynicous@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:559d7676-1111-49c5-b596-3e76a27fb8a5@q1g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>I want to use more ram (8 gig) so I plan to switch to XP 64 bit, if I
> do, what will I break? I know I can't "upgrade" and that I have to re-
> install the OS.
>
> Can I use the same applications, the same anti-virus?
>
> Am I going to have device driver issues like with Vista? I noticed a
> couple of posts about RAID issues; I *will* need RAID on this box. Is
> XP64 still supported by most Mobo mfrs?
>
> Will Visual Studio work the same?
>
> What will I give up? I loved Windows 2000 server but I couldn't find
> anti-virus and other server level software at a reasonable cost. So I
> switched to XP, but XP can't handle the big ram mobo's.
>
> Windows 2008 sounds great for Virtual PC's but I think the server
> utility app pricing (firewalls and anti-virus etc) will still be out
> of my price range.
>
> I need to learn VSTO programming so Linux is not an option (is it?).
>
>
> Borg Vomit
>
>

On Mon, 7 Apr 2008 14:01:51 -0700 (PDT), Borg Vomit
<not_phrynicous@hotmail.com> wrote:

> I want to use more ram (8 gig)


First, be sure there's a benefit for you to do so. Although you often
hear the mantra repeated that more RAM is always better. It's only
true up to a point, and for the great majority of people, 8GB is well
past that point. More RAM is better only if keeps you from using the
page file.


> so I plan to switch to XP 64 bit, if I
> do, what will I break? I know I can't "upgrade" and that I have to re-
> install the OS.


Right.


> Can I use the same applications,


In the great majority of cases yes, but you should check each one with
its vendor to be sure. Be aware that unless the applications is a
64-bit application (and the ones you already have obviously are not),
or it can make effective use of so much memory (very few can), there
will be *no* performance difference


> the same anti-virus?


There it is more likely *not* to be usable. Check with the vendor.


> Am I going to have device driver issues like with Vista?


It has nothing to do with Vista. You need device drivers for your
hardware, and those drivers may or may not be available. Again, check
with the vendor to be sure. Especially if you have a laptop or an
older printer or scanner, there is a potential for issues.


> I noticed a
> couple of posts about RAID issues; I *will* need RAID on this box.



Need? Why? Which version of RAID? Except for large companies, very few
individuals need any form of RAID, and in fact it isn't even a good
idea for the great majority of them.



> Is
> XP64 still supported by most Mobo mfrs?


As far as I know, if it takes a 64-bit CPU, yes, but again, the place
to check is with the vendor.



> Will Visual Studio work the same?


Sorry, I can't help there. I have no idea.


> What will I give up? I loved Windows 2000 server but I couldn't find
> anti-virus and other server level software at a reasonable cost. So I
> switched to XP, but XP can't handle the big ram mobo's.
>
> Windows 2008 sounds great for Virtual PC's but I think the server
> utility app pricing (firewalls and anti-virus etc) will still be out
> of my price range.
>
> I need to learn VSTO programming so Linux is not an option (is it?).
>
>
> Borg Vomit
>

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

> 8 gig? *WHY? *What do you have running that will need that much?

I want to run 2 or 3 Virtual PC's--maybe create a ram disk if it'll
help.

> I'd guess that you wouldn't see any improvement.
> But I'd also guess that you're obsessed with the idea and that there's
> no talking you out of it.

I just need to multitask (a lot) without having 4 or 5 boxes heating
up the office. I used to have a system that ran Windows 3.11 and it
had PC Tools desktops that seemed to work very well. Now, no matter
what I do, I see that damn hourglass and it's just a matter of time
before I have to shut everything down and restart a couple dozen apps
and browser sessions.

I'm hoping VPC's will make things a little better.

> Go for it.

I like people who understand obsession. I had high hopes for Vista.
We tried 3 different boxes running Vista Ultimate and all of them had
not 1, but 3 show stoppers. Some Vista issues will most likely be
fixed with a service pack, most will not. So we're stuck with XP, or
maybe XP64.

Borg Vomit

I would take a chance and guess that you will 'very much' like it. I am not
aware of any issues about the software you name - drivers will have to be
investigated. BIOS RAID is well supported - but then, you are bound to find
something that isn't. For anti-virus, I use Avast. The Home version is free
and very, very good - the Pro version has extended capabilities and did cost
40 bucks (not ducks) the last time I checked.

You know what you have - go visit the sites that will be involved and check
them out. I am still running Win2K on one machine out of sentimentality, XP
x64 is easily the nicest and the best running OS I have ever come across -
and I very much like Linux's too!


Tony. . .



"Borg Vomit" <not_phrynicous@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:559d7676-1111-49c5-b596-3e76a27fb8a5@q1g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> I want to use more ram (8 gig) so I plan to switch to XP 64 bit, if I
> do, what will I break? I know I can't "upgrade" and that I have to re-
> install the OS.
>
> Can I use the same applications, the same anti-virus?
>
> Am I going to have device driver issues like with Vista? I noticed a
> couple of posts about RAID issues; I *will* need RAID on this box. Is
> XP64 still supported by most Mobo mfrs?
>
> Will Visual Studio work the same?
>
> What will I give up? I loved Windows 2000 server but I couldn't find
> anti-virus and other server level software at a reasonable cost. So I
> switched to XP, but XP can't handle the big ram mobo's.
>
> Windows 2008 sounds great for Virtual PC's but I think the server
> utility app pricing (firewalls and anti-virus etc) will still be out
> of my price range.
>
> I need to learn VSTO programming so Linux is not an option (is it?).
>
>
> Borg Vomit
>
>

I haven't paid much attention to paging in XP64, so this may be slightly
off-topic, but... I've noticed in Vista HP that the page file gets used no
matter how much ram is free. You can have 2gb of free main and still see
relatively high usage of the page file. Clearly Window 6.x's memory
management practices are not quite as--shall we say "intuitive"?--as, say,
the Linuces.

\s

"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message
news:bn5lv3dhq846k5t1kcgqm54dsdbcgetspi@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 7 Apr 2008 14:01:51 -0700 (PDT), Borg Vomit
> <not_phrynicous@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I want to use more ram (8 gig)
>
>
> First, be sure there's a benefit for you to do so. Although you often
> hear the mantra repeated that more RAM is always better. It's only
> true up to a point, and for the great majority of people, 8GB is well
> past that point. More RAM is better only if keeps you from using the
> page file.
>
>
>> so I plan to switch to XP 64 bit, if I
>> do, what will I break? I know I can't "upgrade" and that I have to re-
>> install the OS.
>
>
> Right.
>
>
>> Can I use the same applications,
>
>
> In the great majority of cases yes, but you should check each one with
> its vendor to be sure. Be aware that unless the applications is a
> 64-bit application (and the ones you already have obviously are not),
> or it can make effective use of so much memory (very few can), there
> will be *no* performance difference
>
>
>> the same anti-virus?
>
>
> There it is more likely *not* to be usable. Check with the vendor.
>
>
>> Am I going to have device driver issues like with Vista?
>
>
> It has nothing to do with Vista. You need device drivers for your
> hardware, and those drivers may or may not be available. Again, check
> with the vendor to be sure. Especially if you have a laptop or an
> older printer or scanner, there is a potential for issues.
>
>
>> I noticed a
>> couple of posts about RAID issues; I *will* need RAID on this box.
>
>
>
> Need? Why? Which version of RAID? Except for large companies, very few
> individuals need any form of RAID, and in fact it isn't even a good
> idea for the great majority of them.
>
>
>
>> Is
>> XP64 still supported by most Mobo mfrs?
>
>
> As far as I know, if it takes a 64-bit CPU, yes, but again, the place
> to check is with the vendor.
>
>
>
>> Will Visual Studio work the same?
>
>
> Sorry, I can't help there. I have no idea.
>
>
>> What will I give up? I loved Windows 2000 server but I couldn't find
>> anti-virus and other server level software at a reasonable cost. So I
>> switched to XP, but XP can't handle the big ram mobo's.
>>
>> Windows 2008 sounds great for Virtual PC's but I think the server
>> utility app pricing (firewalls and anti-virus etc) will still be out
>> of my price range.
>>
>> I need to learn VSTO programming so Linux is not an option (is it?).
>>
>>
>> Borg Vomit
>>
>
> --
> Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
> Please Reply to the Newsgroup