32 bit and 64 bit dual boot

[Blade285]

i currently have vista ultimate 32 bit (x86). i am hoping to get a 64 bit (x64) version of vista installed on a different partition. i am about to upgrade my RAM to 4gb and want to actually be able to use it, however, i want to be able to keep the 32 bit version in case it goes wrong, and also so that i can transfer the files from the 32 bit version to a laptop, then from the laptop to the 64 bit OS.
will this work? i have a new partition which is 27gb big (i can easily make it bigger if needed) which i think should be able to have the 64 bit version installed on.
i also need to be able to basically revert back to how my pc is now (which is the idea of dual boot, so it shouldnt effect my other installation)
please ask me if you need any more information...
thanks

[Calum]

You can install the X64 OS on the other partition and it should work with no problems.
I currently triple-boot.
You won't see much more RAM with X64 than 32-bit by the way, as the X64 programming actually uses more RAM.  Plus, Vista X64 requires signed drivers, this now cannot be disabled with SP1 so if you have any hardware using unsigned drivers they will NOT install.
Also, files can be transferred directly from one OS to the other.

[Blade285]

i am just about to install SP1...
i read about only signed drivers, thats why what i want to do is the dual boot and just see if it works, and then possibly use it only for specific applications... or if it works well i'd use it more and possibly remove the 32 bit version...
is there any hack for the signed drivers? i'm guessing theres not but its worth a try...
good to hear i can directly transfer files... does that mean i can access all my other hard drive files but i would have to install all the programs again on the 64 bit version?

Vista X64 requires signed drivers, this now cannot be disabled with SP1 so if you have any hardware using unsigned drivers they will NOT install.

SP1 wouldnt automatically be installed for x64 i'm guessing, or i could possibly uninstall it.. if you mean there that SP1 disables it but it works if you dont have SP1?

[Calum]

There are no hacks, trust me.  I've been trying for a while to get Rivatuner to work, and there's no way round it.
You'll be able to access both partitions with either OS, all you'll need to do to access, say, My Documents on the 32-bit version from the 64-bit version would be to go to the correct folder.
Programs will need installing on the new OS, yes.  And look out for 64-bit versions, they can offer better performance.  7-Zip especially showed a big boost for me.

[patio]

Actually if you have the option to select the boot HDD i'd highly suggest seperate HDD's for this setup...
For some reason 64bit hated the fact it's smaller cousin was around when i did it on seperate partitions but is happy as Larry since i re-did it on seperate drives...
Just an idea.

[Blade285]

thanks, i'll report back possibly later tonight (its almost 4pm english time) after it's installed (i hope)...
got some work to do, i'll install SP1 after that, then vista x64...
should give my PC and hard drive a lovely workout...

and patio, i'm installing it on my faster SATA drive (over my small and puny IDE which currently has 32 bit) would that be ok?

[patio]

Certainly.
I started out with a 160G Seagate IDE that had Vista 32...
Then bought a larger SATA for the Vista Ultimate 64 Bit.
I'm replacing the IDE with the same SATA and cloning the IDE to it.
This build has been a work in progress with a few hiccups along the way but i couldn't be happier at this point.
It drove me batty doing it a little at a time because i found out that Brand New un-assembled components sitting in your room will talk to you and harass your sleep functions in the middle of the night.
The more expensive they are the louder they get...

 

[Blade285]

i had exactly your problem... home built pc...
i was just too budget to buy a new PSU... i tried to use a 200w to power a SLI machine... it blew up and buggered my Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe mobo and my AMD 5000+ CPU... and my GPU at the time (i had 7600GT in SLI) now i only have one 8600GT cause i cant afford to pay for any more stuff yet...
i still only have 1gb RAM though... must upgrade!!! aero is bloody slow with 1gb :|

[Calum]

I had everything but the mobo set up on my desk, waiting for the replacement to arrive.
That 8800GT sure was shouting loud, but the kicker was that it looked all there, monitor and all.  It was only when I caught myself pressing the power button longingly that I got a grip.
Well . . . not quite that far, hehe.  Apart from the sentence about the power button it's true.

[Blade285]

lol
btw, SP1 just installed fine
i think the start up screen has changed...

[mcxeb52!]

do 64 bit editions of windows give any advantage? One problem I see is the lack of 64 bit drivers although I heard there was 32 bit program compatibility somewhere for the porgrams and software.

[Calum]

64 bit programs on a 64 bit OS will run faster than 32-bit programs.  Also, 64-bit operating systems can access far more RAM than 32-bit versions.
Almost all 32-bit programs will work on a 64-bit OS, but drivers must be specifically written for a 64 bit OS so they can be hard to find for some hardware.
Almost all modern hardware will have 64-bit drivers available.

[patio]

To be completely honest i really had no interest in the 64Bit version...however in order to be able to stay on top of things i had to do it ...
I resisted as long as i could but i must say that other than fighting to find proper drivers i am pleasantly suprised...
There were a few drivers that OEM's insisted were written for 64Bit but this simply was not true. They would not run and i'm not about to mention names...

What people need to understand in this process is MS is not the villian when it comes to new OS's...they released the code for Vista 32 and 64 to OEM's back when it was still Longhorn. If the manuf. didn't get busy and write proper drivers then it's ultimately their fault...

As i said i'll not mention names.
I plan on doing a full review once the beast is finished on what is good and not so good about Vista 64.

Stay Tuned.

[mcxeb52!]

so that means that it's not big use using 64 bit windows then. and Magic 64-Bit Vista Wonderland  seems to have been a good program that allows one to use 64 windows without the compatibility/driver issues.

If that is the case, then I'd use 64 bit windows any day. My AMD athlon64 3500+ would be happier

[patio]

If 32Bit Windows won't boot on it i doubt 64Bit would be any better...
What happened that got you to that point ? ?
Start a new thread with the details and someone will be along shortly...