Win 7 Sp1 64 Bit Pro (also Works With 32 Bit?)

Hi,

1. I had decided to move to Win 7 Pro sp1

However, I have looked at many places to buy and it is very confusing. Many only say 64 bit, some say 32 bit, but I have been told that Win 7 Pro sp1 will handle either or both?

2. Now, assuming I re-partition my sata 2T xp drive (only 5% used) which has xp sp3 Home by reducing it then put Win 7 Pro sp1 on the new partition? Can I set this up as a dual boot? (the new 4core board says xp is only allowed to use one channel on the CPU and 1 Ram chip instead of both so it doesn't seem to make sense)

If I can't do the dual boot is there a method to be able to still use some older proprietary software which uses/saves in 32 bit when I'm running the Win 7 Pro sp1 system, if it's 64 bit. (related to 1st question)

3. Some have told me the Win 7 system allows the use of both at the same time but I don't want to start setting something up that won't work! It would be best if it will do both and one of the reasons I thought Win 7 was a good answer. (don't like 8.1 or 10 for different reasons)

 

Your Win XP SP3 is 32-bit. 64-bit only went to SP2. When you partition your drive and install Win 7 SP1 it will detect the XP installation and you should end up with a dual-boot computer.

64-bit Win 7 will run both 32-bit AND 64-bit applications but the 32-bit XP will only run 32-bit.

Windows 7 device drivers for your computer may be the issue though. I've found that Win 8.1 and 10 do a much better job with device drivers during setup.

 

Hey mdonah,

I was reading that "XP MODE" is what I was hearing about Win 7 Pro. (64 bit version)

So apparently the thing to do is move files to another device, format the drive, and do a fresh clean install of Win 7 Pro sp1 and I will be able to move all the 32 bit files back, Win 7 will read them, and the 32 bit programs will be usable by Win 7 itself or in the XP Mode.

Does this sound right? Then I don't have to mess with XP at all which would be ideal!

I seem to be starting out with all kinds of complications in my head, is it really this easy?

 

Win 7's XP mode is something I've not worked with myself but, I've heard/read that it doesn't always work. Perhaps it's because Microsoft ended support for XP on 4/8/14.

 

If you want more info on Window 7 Xp mode here is a link to read up on it.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh859554.aspx

 

This is what I have.

 

This is what I get when I click on the link to go to the XP Mode download page:

 

The download is available but, from this page.

 

Microsoft Windows XP Mode is available on MajorGeeks.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/microsoft_windows_xp_mode.html

You also need Windows Virtual PC.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=3702

 

Not really a big fan of VM my self.

 

It would seem that it's the only way to run XP Mode. There are a few here that really like VMWare.

 

I installed XP Mode along with the Microsoft Virtual Machine that Eldon pointed out on my Windows 7 Ultimate partition. The XP Mode is XP Pro SP3 so, it's 32-bit. The resolution inside the VM is set at the lowest possible and at this point, I can't change it so it looks terrible.

Automatic Updates is working though and I have an ethernet Internet connection. There were 111 Updates XP Mode downloaded and is currently installing.

 

@Zingeroid

The updates (including WGA) installed but now I can't get XP Mode back into high contrast and I can't see to continue working in XP Mode so, this is as far as I can go with it. Sorry, but someone with better vision and more familiarity with XP Mode is going to have to assist you further.

 

mdonah,
Here's a cropped snapshot of my Windows XP Mode. You'll notice the Advanced tab is not available. Also, I cannot adjust the Screen resolution or Color quality.

 

@Eldon,

After the Updates finished installing and I restarted the VM, the resolution changed to something more normal — icons and text appeared to be the right size for my display adaptor. But, I couldn't get the VM back to high contrast. I uninstalled XP Mode using Revo but the MSVM is still there. I'll re-install XP Mode and try to figure it out.

 

mdonah,
My screenshot is of Windows XP Mode without any updates.

Also, I have never uninstalled any programs from Microsoft with a third-party program. The uninstallers are some of the best. And I have Revo Uninstaller Pro and Ashampoo UnInstaller.

FYI It's Windows, not Microsoft, Virtual PC. And you'll find it under Updates - KB958559.

 

Darn it, it just won't work. I can't see black text on a white background so, I guess I'm done with this thread.

 

Post #16.

 

@Eldon,

Left Alt + Left Shift + PrtScr is a toggle for switching between Normal and High Contrast views. It works just that way on a regular Windows XP installation and the first time I pressed that key combo in XP Mode, it switched the view to high contrast and I was able see to do things in XP Mode. Once I installed Windows Updates and restarted the VM, I couldn't get back to High Contrast view. It wouldn't work on re-installation of XP Mode either.

I have bilateral cataracts and black text on a white background just washes out and is illegible to me even with a magnifying glass or the screen magnifier.

 

The key combo works for me but I'm no fan of Windows XP Mode. If/when I need/want to use Windows XP, I restart and select the other partition.

 

From what I've seen of XP Mode so far, I'm no fan of it either. But, the OP wanted to run Win 7 with XP Mode inside the VM to run XP programs and get rid of his regular XP installation.

I've still got the Virtual Machine installed. I'm going to try to install retail XP inside the VM and see if I can get things to work that way.

Personally, I think he'd be better off just dual-booting like you and I do.

 

Understood!

When I started the thread, and I learned a lot from some of the answers (Thank You all!) I should have mentioned my reason for wanting to do this because my need is specialized as well. I have some proprietary programs that will only work with 32 bit and 32 bit files, so I need to be careful and stay in the XP arena. Although this is a smaller and smaller portion of what I need it is critical and legally necessary. This is why the "dual-boot" appeals to me (and the flexibility of Win 7 Pro) plus potential use of the XP mode if dual-boot doesn't work right.

I finally couldn't stand all the wait times so I bought an asus AM1M-A with a 5350 AMD Athlon quad core. I have a 2T sata 6.0 Hitachi running only XP Home so there is a lot of room.

I plan to move the data, clean the disc off, split into 2 partitions (small for the 32 bit), reinstall the data and use an SSD for Win 7 Pro sp1 in the pcie 2.0 slot. (blazingly fast!)

Economical And Fun if it works!

 

I was trying to run XP Mode on a Dell Inspiron with AMD quad-core, 16 GB of RAM and a 1 TB Samsung 850 EVO Solid State Drive. Plenty of capabilities, but-.

 

Windows Xp is very picky with newer laptops.I have tried to install it on my current HP laptop and i could not even get it to install be cause my laptop's hardware is to far advance for xp.

 

What programs?

 

Well there are some programs that only run on windows XP or older system operators can use. On older computers.

Programs Refuse to Run: Some programs may refuse to install if they notice they’re being run on a version of Windows they don’t know about.

16-bit Programs: 32-bit versions of Windows contain a 16-bit emulation environment that allows old Windows 3.1 software to run. This was removed from 64-bit versions of Windows, so those old Windows 3.1 programs won’t run at all.

DOS Software: Since Windows XP, consumer versions of Windows are no longer built on top of DOS. Complicated DOS software and games that depended on real mode DOS won’t be able to run natively on modern versions of Windows. The Command Prompt window is an incomplete compatibility feature, not a full DOS system.

Old Library Dependencies: Some programs may have depended on ancient libraries that are no longer included in Windows or may have depended on other old programs that also don’t work properly on new versions of Windows.

Security Issues: Old programs aren’t used to modern Windows security features and may not play nice with limited user accounts and UAC. Windows tries to trick old programs into running under limited user accounts, but this doesn’t always fix every problem.

But some of the newer software in windows 7 or above have a Compatibility option under Properties.Xp all so has it as well but it's limited

http://images.pcworld.com/images/article/2012/05/052420compatibility-11359521.jpg

 

The question was aimed at the OP specifically, thus the quote, try not to make topics more complex than they need to be.

 

Exactly. I believe Zingeroid is under the mistaken impression that 32 bit Windows programs will not run on a 64 bit system and the files saved on a 32 bit system are somehow incompatible with those saved on a 64 bit system. More info would help. There is no need for him to set up a dual boot system and a bunch of extra partitions unless his programs are in fact incompatible with newer OSes.

 

They are proprietary and you won't be able to look them up. One is for Realtors, the other for lending. The Realtor program may work.

The Lender program has it's roots in 16 bit tech and is old. They have a newer program as well which I have but I need access to the old files for 4 more of the 5 years I have to keep the files, just in case of an audit, etc. The old files are not accessible from the newer software thus the effort to keep xp alive for a bit.

The system I have will run both 32 or 64 bit. Thing is, with XP it uses only 1/4th of the CPU and only a portion of one of the Rams...so I expect to have to reboot to access, which is alright because it will be seldom.

For all the other files that were created in 32 bit mode I should still be able to access any of them with Win 7 but I think it will save them again in 32 bit if I need to change something in the file and I don't mean by going into XP Mode.

 

programs are in fact incompatible with newer OSes

Sorry justplayin, I think I hit the wrong button and deleted your reply....What I get for doing too many things at once!

The one program is in fact incompatible with anything newer than XP, groan! However, if I can mix all the other files in with the Win 7 OS and still have the capability to change them like ordinary files I'm indeed going too far. (and THANK YOU for that bit of info!)

Then the XP Mode is only for the old files on the old lending software (16/32 bit) which are essentially archived and may need changes via the old system.

I just need to be able to access them however if anything needed to be changed on one of those files I would need to use the original antiquated software, like an audit. Their newer software, which I have does not recognize those files.

So XP mode or dual boot and if I partitioned for the dual boot that would be a very small partition out of 2T.

Am I making sense or still tryin too hard?

 

I'm clear now. This is exactly what I wanted to know.
As far as files, whether it was saved on a 32 vs 64 bit system doesn't matter, as long as you have a program that will open it and your OS can read the medium it's saved on. For example, there is no 32 bit MP3 or 64 bit PDF file.

 

Cool and thanks for the clarification! Win 7 Pro 64 bit is where I'm going cuz It isn't as bossy as 10 and I like to set things the way I want to. 8 was meant for something else...touch screen and I don't use one for desktop or laptop, only pad.

I have a laptop that has 8.1 on it and it works ok but they changed file names/terminology & everything around for whatever reason. I put the XP/7 start button with the 2 column list on it and can stand it ok now. That corner/side bar/tile thing for all but meant for touch shows the mental weakness in their development/marketing areas.

MS has gotten like used car salespeople that way they try to force you into 10 from 8.1 and a Lot of other things you can't change yourself without a hack of some kind. I don't want to trash them out but I have lost a lot of respect I had when they were more entrepreneurial.

I think 7 is as close as I can get to pure with faster hardware and probably have about 5 years to enjoy before having to migrate to something else. Once they see how some of us love it they will find ways to make it extinct!

Hey what do you think about my thought of putting a SSD in my pcie 2.0 slot for my Win 7 conversion. Then I can use the sata 6.0 2T for all the data, backed up by idrive and not worry about it.

 

One thing I finally realized about all this is that XP Mode is little more than a PE pre-configured by Microsoft and it lacks many of the features in a full XP install.

What I've done is installed Oracle's VirtualBox and once my retail XP Pro SP3 comes in, I'll install it to VirtualBox.

 

My post in 26 Gave Zingeroid the info he needed.I was not trying to complicate things.If any thing i made it easier to understand.I could have made it harder to make people think.

Some of the older programs use Windows Xp or older Os.

I have been around since DOS was first invented.I know how to run commands still in it.But it's still a complicated piece of software.A little off topic.

Yes it does mdonah in fact there are a lot of things missing from Xp mode.Your better off running a full version of XP on a older laptop Or a VM.

 

...and I really appreciate it cuz although I've been around since Dos too, I didn't have any idea what writing code is or any of the gizmo's were as far as setup. I've built all my own computers since buying my first IBM XT (whopping 10 meg hard drive). I think it weighed 80 lbs.

What's changed and makes it easier for hacks like myself is that you can actually get help with some otherwise simple questions, ones that maybe one should know but have just not come across. For example my "dual-boot" question Vs XP Mode.

The technicalities here are as mdonah is saying, XP Mode has limitations. All this stuff does. In my circumstance, since the 32/64 bit thing is not an issue with most software I really would not have to do anything. What they don't mention is that if the software was upgraded from 16 bit to run in a 32 bit environment, the software definitely will not work and the files may be read but maybe not modified, if needed, by the 32/64 environment like Win 7. So I have to keep something capable of not just reading but changing some of those files and I can't be guaranteed that just because Win 7 may help read the files it will not run that proprietary ancient 16 bit originated software to make any file changes. (the new software has no provision for the old files)

In my case I have to keep those files, by law, for up to 5 years. I have never had to access any old records either but the Fed law and possibility that I could be audited on something in those keeps me in the process of continuing to being able to access and/or change something if needed.

Since I've got 2t I'm not worried about space either so I'll probably make a small partition for this old proprietary software and anything I need to do, just in case! I'll also try the XP Mode just for fun.

 

Wise decision.

 

I tell you this i put a SSD Kingston SUV400 in my laptop and it now boots in about 20 seconds is all i can muster.Windows 7 runs pretty efficient.I have not had any type of blue screens or any thing.And i think i debunked the Oh don't defrag your SSD thing.I have defraged it and runs fine no issues.I really don't think Trimming the SSD is efficient enough.

 

Defragging an SSD a few times during its lifespan isn't likely to trigger premature failure. Running it frequently is another matter... please don't suggest that to others here, what you do is your choice.

Better to check that TRIM is enabled and active (HD Sentinel will report on that) and keep plenty of free space if it's the System (Windows) drive.

 

My Trim is active but does not seem to do much of any thing for me.If any thing it slows me down.But still i am not suggesting to any one to do this.I am one of the few that really never seem to have problems.So it's pretty obvious i do some thing right.Even though some people say it's wrong.Where is the evidence that it's wrong to defrag a SSD. A lot of info out there is her say.People ask this type of question all the time.And most of the time it's about the same answer you gave.But my question is where is the evidence that it is bad.I have read so many threads on this subject about SSD's and not one that i can remember says it's really a bad idea to defrag a SSD.I have done it to my flash drives for years and never have had one stop working on me.I want to see some real proof that it's Bad to defrag a SSD.

 

http://www.hanselman.com/blog/TheRealAndCompleteStoryDoesWindowsDefragmentYourSSD.aspx

 

I have read that as well.