32x vs 64x

Hello Major Geeks,

I have what I think is a simple question. How can you tell if a computer is 32x or 64x. My friend insisted this one computer was 64x, becuase of how much memory it had. However, when I tried to add some 64x software to it, the software it could not be installed, the software said to install the 32x version instead.

So I tried downloading some of those "whats on my computer software" to see if it would tell me, but still could not figure it out.


So what's the secret to this bit of knowledge? I'm sure I am missing something, and I guess the folks I usually ask, don't know this one either.

Pete.

 

Right click My Computer and hit properties. Or double Click-system in Control Panel. It'll tell you if you have a 64bit computer.

If it detects more than 3.5 GB of RAM, it's 64-bit. If not, it's 32-bit.

 

Ok, If it doesn't say x64 it's not. I get it. I expected it to shoiw x32. but it doesn't because it is the default type. ok

thank you.

 

That is a truely superb answer. Thank you! This stuff is info that folks new to geekness should have access to.

So the x86 part is the computer part that runs at the speed of x32? And a x64 machine just has two of these? Is that right?

When I first had this question, I downloaded Everest. However, when it installed; Everest said that it was not configured to run on the current hardware of this computer. It then asked me to let them upload information about the hardware configuration so they could add support for it in the next upgrade. So I did, and then I unistalled it.

Thinking about it now, if Everest could not tell exactly what it was, I should not feel bad about not being able to figure it out. :-D

Cheers,

Pete22

 

Hello Halo,

OK. I am getting closer to understanding. I will study the links you sent me.

My knowledge is skeleton in some spots and nonexistent in others. So instead of trying to explain what kind of computer this is, I downloaded Belarc Advisor and did a scan.

I have attached it.

Is the right version of windows on this machine? If not, what do I do?

The computer is my neighbor's. He told me it was running really slow.

He had never deleted any of his temporary files in the 2 years since he bought it. He had only defragged it once several months ago with windows defrag.

I found many window services were listed as Automatic that should have been manual or off as the default.

The only malware buster he had was one of those rogue malware programs, MyIdentityDefender.

I have also removed Norton antivirus, Comodo firewall/antivirus, and Avg antivirus.

I see that his hard drive is about 75% full. Would it help if he moved a bunch of his stuff to different storage? I know with smaller hard drives, they don't work as well when the hard drive is getting full.

Since you are looking at this list, is there anything glaring that you notice that I should delete, or add to make his computer run better?


Thanks,

Pete22

 

Hello, Halo

That's what I thought, when I saw the info on the processor. My guess is he has x32 bit software that he wants to run.

I do have one more question about the hardware. Is it true that there are
two kinds of notebook computers?
1- regular ones that last about 1 1/2 years
2- commercial grade ones that last 5 to 8 years.
If so, how would you know which ones are which? Or was I just told a story.

I have worked over the startup list. I know that Secunia is there, but it complains when its not. Don't want it to bug neighbor. I attached the CCleaner startup listing. Just check to see if I missed anything that should be taken out.

If all is ok, then I can tell my neighbor to archive his pictures and remove unwanted programs. I will run ccleaner again until registry is clear. then if he likes how it runs, I can remove the ccleaner backups for the registry. Should I archive them?

Then one final defragg until clean. Then I will send it home with the Major Geeks instructions on computer maintenence to help his computer stay in good shape.

Thank you for the good information and the help.

Pete22
:wave