Upgrade to Windows XP x64 For Free

bizzle · Post by **bizzle** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 5:49 am

Saw this on another forum and figured maybe someone here might be interested. Last I heard Windows XP x64 was still crap, but I don't know becuase I don't use it (or have a 64-bit processor).

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bi ... fault.mspx

BlackAura · Post by **BlackAura** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:26 am

I have a 64-bit CPU, but I see no reason whatsoever to run 64-bit Windows on it at this time. Lousy driver support, and absolutely zero 64-bit software is available.

64-bit Linux is another story - 99% of Linux drivers work on all supported architectures, and the vast majority of software works in native 64-bit too. Although there's no real reason to bother with it as yet, there's also no reason not to bother with it.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:34 am

The main thing holding me back is lazyness and driver support. I tmight be worth trying out 64bit Linux as i'd like to have dual boot Linux and Windows

Raijin Z · Post by **Raijin Z** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:10 am

BlackAura wrote:...I see no reason whatsoever to run 64-bit Windows on it at this time. Lousy driver support, and absolutely zero 64-bit software is available..

Amen. Never mind the fact that early adopters of 'new' technology always get screwed in a hurry. Would you have liked to have had one of the first LCD monitors released to the consumer market, or a new one with most of the kinks worked out?

Wagh · Post by **Wagh** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 11:44 am

I'll be installing the final in a few weeks. Don't see any reason not to.

Raijin Z · Post by **Raijin Z** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 11:52 am

...mayhap because by the time Longhorn is on the shelves, there will be enough 64 bit applications and drivers to necessitate moving up from XP32?

bizzle · Post by **bizzle** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 1:39 pm

Yeah, all I've heard is Windows XP x64 is crap, but I figured, what the hell, maybe someone likes it.

NiGHTSFTP2 · Post by **NiGHTSFTP2** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 12:27 am

I've used various betas and public releases of X64 and have been more happy with it in each release. RC1 was great, RC2 was amazing.

The final shipping version I havent bothered installing yet, maybe sometime next week.

The only problem I see it not enough native 64-bit software yet... but all the 32 bit stuff runs speedy enough, and Windows x64 seems a little faster to me.

Skater_dusto · Post by **Skater_dusto** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 12:02 pm

I've used it at work lots and to be honest people on the internet bash everything like there's no tomorrow. It's fine, although I don't have any 64-bit apps to test it out with.

If I owned a computer with a 64-bit processor I'd probably have all the drivers that I need. But as far as a public release is concerned there's so many odd drivers out there that will probably never be translated to 64-bit, or maybe I'm going about this wrong.

Georgie · Post by **Georgie** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 12:17 pm

Tried it not that diffent then reg 32bit xp

impetus · Post by **impetus** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 5:40 pm

I have a 64b processor... will this still be free when it's actually worth getting?

Skater_dusto · Post by **Skater_dusto** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 6:42 pm

That's a good question impetus... my understanding is that, and don't quote me on this, AMD's? 64-bit processor machines will come equiped with windows xp 64-bit edition sooo.... I'd think so? But who knows, it's m$.

sixteen-bit · Post by **sixteen-bit** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 6:46 am

BlackAura wrote:I have a 64-bit CPU, but I see no reason whatsoever to run 64-bit Windows on it at this time. Lousy driver support, and absolutely zero 64-bit software is available.

I have a 64 bit CPU but the Alpha lost support from MS sometime around NT 4.0 . ;)

BlackAura · Post by **BlackAura** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 8:19 am

I have a 64 bit CPU but the Alpha lost support from MS sometime around NT 4.0 .

You actually have an Alpha? Neat. Where'd you manage to get that from?

sixteen-bit · Post by **sixteen-bit** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 11:03 am

BlackAura wrote:Where'd you manage to get that from?

Our university seems to dispose of hardware on a regular basis - with increasing regularity towards the end of each academic year. Since Friday marks the end of this year, the past few weeks have seen a lot of rich pickings.
19" Ilyama monitors? Shame I don't own a car, really..

Edit: By rich pickings, I mean stuff other than the usual pentiums, 486s, Mac 68ks and torrents of 14" monitors.