Windows Vista

[Skyler]

DOS program support would make a great selling point for Vista. :rotfl:

[wallace]

Yeah, I doubt it, Vista doesn't even have backwards compatability with numerous XP programs, DOS is dead.

[GordonSweet]

Thanks guys. Because I doubt Vista can be trusted, if I lash out on a new PC next month I will keep this one running XP still going, even if I have to replace the hard drive which is getting a bit tempremental. But I will clear out all the Norton crap that is slowing up everything, but making sure no one connects a router to it.

What about the purpose of these fancy dual 32/64 bit CPUs if you cannot change from 64 to 32 bit easily?

Gordon

[wallace]

If I had to guess I'd say that they built it for servers with Linux or Unix cores that can easily switch from 32 to 64 bit modes.

I'm not sure if the 32/64 bit versions are cheaper or not, but I would get one or the other. 64 is the way to go, in a year or so everything will be 64 bit. That's about how long it took for Apple and Sun to switch over. It might take a little longer for PC's because there are so many manufacturers, but it's going to happen.

Don't point out that Solaris 10 still has a 32 bit version, I meant OSes AND machines made by Sun.

[DrV]

The reason recent processors can run in both 32 and 64 bit modes: compatibility. You can still run your current 32-bit software in 32-bit mode, but if someday you realize you want to run a 64-bit OS, you can use the same hardware. If the CPUs only supported 32-bit mode, you could still run your current software, but not 64-bit software in the future. If the CPUs only supported 64-bit mode, you wouldn't be able to run your current 32-bit OS, so not many people would buy the 64-bit CPUs and keep buying 32-bit CPUs. It's a chicken-and-egg problem: if nobody writes 64-bit software, then nobody will buy a 64-bit CPU, but if nobody has a 64-bit CPU, then nobody will write software for them. If you make a CPU that can run in both 32-bit and 64-bit modes, you get 64-bit processors to become mainstream hardware while allowing people to run their current software, somewhat alleviating the chicken-and-egg effect...

[GordonSweet]

Thanks DRV

But how do you change say from 64 bit back to 32 bit. presumably you need to reboot and alter the CMOS. Also if you buy the 64 bit ONLY version of Vista to take advantage of the faster speed of 64 bit online how would you ever manage to run existing 32 bit software on it such ad MS Ofice 2003 ?

Gordon

[DrV]

You can only either run a 64-bit OS or a 32-bit OS at one time, but the processors can run 32-bit software in 64-bit mode, similarly to how you can run 16-bit software (like QB) in 32-bit mode now. You don't need to modify the CMOS or anything like that to run a 64-bit OS; you could even dual boot between 32-bit and 64-bit OSes if you feel the need.

[GordonSweet]

Thanks DRV

I am sure others will appreciate it before any rush out to buy new PCs etc

Gordon