Is 32-bit to 64-bit No Problem?

Was reading online, that not only can my 32-bit Vista OS be "changed" to a 64-bit (and I had no clue that-that was possible), but that Microsoft, for the mere price of shipping/handling, will send me a disk to accomplish the task!! !

Does anyone know this to be True, please??

And why would I (or why "might" I) not be interested in doing this, please??

Isn't 64-bit a good bit (pardon the pun) more secure, please?

Thanks in advance,
g...

 

I wonder where you read this; I didn't think that was possible without a complete reinstall. (But I do not know for sure.)

Do you have a processor that is x64 capable? Also, do you have enough memory to warrant a 64-bit OS (e.g. 4GB)?

If not, then there is no point installing a 64-bit OS. Also, it is not more secure; it can just access more memory than a 32-bit OS. (It may therefore be faster, as less paging is required.)

 

Hi, thanks for the reply...

As to the "complete reinstall" question, well, that wouldn't surprise me, but seems (from what I've read) that it would be well-worth the trouble, performance-wise, and yes, security-wise...again, based-on reading that I've done over the years.

This 1st one is from MS, but I could cite numerous other places where it is referenced (and also yes, one must have a 64-bit capable processor):

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

I currently have 3GB of RAM, but would be happy to get another gig to make this happen (even though, again, from what I've read, about half of that would be "wasted" [for lack of a better word]). In other words, I've read numbers of times that the system can only access 3 to 3 & 1/2 Gigs of RAM.

Other relevant links:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/products/64-bit

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/...and-64-bit-Windows-frequently-asked-questions

The last one here is a forum, and, like a couple of others that I came-across, it's mentioned: "free but shipping is I think about $10."

http://www.notebookforums.com/thread219776.html

 

have to do a complete install with 64bit os.youmay want to note that x86 uses arround 600mb ram and 64bit uses 1.1gig

 

You don't HAVE to have 4GB to run 64-bit, you could run it on 2GB, it's just that with less than 4GB there is no benefit, not in speed nor in security.

The reference to 3 to 3½ GB is true, but only where you have exactly 4GB installed. Install more than 4GB and you can then access more. Devices such as the video card use the 'missing' memory.

But the key point here is that the only benefit you will obtain from 64-bit is by being able to access more than 4GB when available. 32-bit can only access 4GB for mathematical reasons - each bit can hold one of two values, 0 or 1, so the highest number 32 bits can hold is 2 to the power of 32 - 4,294,967,296 which is the true meaning of 4GB.

 

Hi David, and thanks for the reply...you always have to pee on my parade, don't you (haha-lol-just kidding!).

The advisor you sent is for XP to Vista...I was referring to my Vista machine (I already have Vista on one of the machines here). And I had already either run another advisor of this sort (at the MS site, if I recall correctly), and/or checked specs, and with my AMD dual core and the Vista (Home) that I have on this machine, it would work here for me.

Yes, I realize there are other issues...compatible software (and hardware as well, as I think I also read somewhere?), but heck, I think for the mere price of shipping it would be GREAT for me to have the DVD available for future usage - just in case, before the offer might be void (?).

I do thank you though for all the GREAT info you have provided (as per usual/always) - so thanks again !

 

Thanks Dave - good to know this...very good to know indeed!

 

Excellent info - Thank you!

Now, I am not 100% sure, but I think all my machine can handle (hold) is 4 GB of RAM (?) That's one reason I quit at 3 GB when I was upgrading.

So, if I am understanding you, I think you're saying that there is really no good reason for me to add any more at all - "if" my machine Maxes-out with 4 GB, and I already have 3GB - correct?

 

No, I'm certainly not saying don't go up from 3GB to 4GB. The 'losses' to video etc are the same regardless of the total amount of RAM installed, so if you see say 3½ GB with 4GB installed you will only be seeing 2½ GB with your current 3GB. So if your system feels a bit sluggish then it could be due to the amount of paging required, and this would be significantly reduced, if not entirely eliminated by going up to 4 GB. However what I am saying is that if your system can only accommodate 4 GB then there is absolutely no point in going up to 64-bit.

 

So are you backing-off of this comment, or are you saying that having 4GB is considered having "less than" 4? (or am I splitting hairs?).

Occurs to me, that though 4GB may be at the very bottom-end (the absolute minimum) of what is required to receive performance and/or security benefits from a 64-Bit system, it is still what it is ... that being within the scope or range of an acceptable number for this application (according to yourself, in addition to others).

I understand that six, eight, or ten gigs of RAM would all be better (increasingly), but I'm thinking that, geeks aside, most folks ("average" users) tend to be in the "2 GB, if not less" category, when it comes to RAM installed in their machines ...?

 

I think you are teasing me, just a little Let's put it this way -

YOU NEED MORE THAN 4GB TO GET ANY BENEFIT FROM 64-BIT

:-D :-D

 

Hah! - THAT would be wishful thinkin' on my part (Let's put it this way; grc123 is in no position to be teasing ANYONE around here!) :confused :-o :cry

And I think you just may be a computer sales-person, who just "happens" to have computers with "more than 4GB of RAM" to unload, er, um, "for sale" at DEEP discounts...hahahaha:-D

 

Heh heh - btw has anyone figured out 2 to the power of 64 yet? :-D

 

2 to the power of 64 = 1.84467441 × 1019

(BTW - Yes, I DID cheat!)

 

or in decimal 18,446,744,073,709,551,616

 

This may be on your system, but is not the case, various systems in my house are using different amounts of ram for different versions. Basiculy that depends on the amount of background programs running on both.