Vista Ultimate 32 - 64 Transition

Necrosis · Jul 10, 2007, 06:13 AM

I'm just curious if anyone has done this yet? If so how much was it, and did you run into any problems?

EcPercy · Jul 10, 2007, 03:42 PM

I was running 32 bit vista on another computer (it was not 64 bit capable). When I built my new computer I went for it and loaded Vista Ultimate 64. I have no complaints so far. Every device I have has drivers for the 64 bit OS.

The only 2 programs I have had any issues with:

Vmware Server (GSX) - The issue I have had here is that their drivers are not signed and Vista 64 will not install any unsigned drivers.

Cisco VPN Client - Cisco does not currently have a VPN client that works in a 64 bit environment. They had to write a brand new client just to work properly in Vista 32. I have Vmware Workstation running with an XP virtual machine that I use to connect to the VPN at work.

Arklon · Jul 10, 2007, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EcPercy

Vmware Server (GSX) - The issue I have had here is that their drivers are not signed and Vista 64 will not install any unsigned drivers.

There is a way you can get it to install unsigned drivers. Go into command prompt and type this in:
bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
Enter it in several times, the change didn't seem to like to stick the first time when I tried it.

Judas · Jul 10, 2007, 06:38 PM

I was using 32bit for about 3 months, then made the switch, everything went as smooth as it did with with 64 as it did with 32....

Zelig · Jul 10, 2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EcPercy

Cisco VPN Client - Cisco does not currently have a VPN client that works in a 64 bit environment. They had to write a brand new client just to work properly in Vista 32. I have Vmware Workstation running with an XP virtual machine that I use to connect to the VPN at work.

Same problem I have.

That and HP decided they don't need to provide drivers for my printer, I went straight to Vista 64-bit though, so I'm not sure if it's 64-bit specific.

dipstick · Jul 10, 2007, 10:12 PM

I recently made the switch to make better use of my ram and I honestly can say I can't even notice the difference. Only one app gave me trouble and that was spyware sweeper. I have since moved on to SAS and all is well.

EcPercy · Jul 11, 2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arklon

There is a way you can get it to install unsigned drivers. Go into command prompt and type this in:
bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
Enter it in several times, the change didn't seem to like to stick the first time when I tried it.

I got VMWare Workstation and it works fine with Vista 64.

I saw a thread on the VMWare forum about disabling the requirement to have signed drivers, but I don't think it's smart to disable security features of the OS. Everything else has signed drivers (even OpenVPN).

Thanks for the suggestion.

Necrosis · Jul 12, 2007, 06:36 AM

I think the biggest thing keeping me from going 64 is I'm too lazy to reinstall!

Judas · Jul 12, 2007, 05:19 PM

Yeah doing the reinstall requires me to receive a fairly large push to do it.

WardenWolf · Jul 19, 2007, 06:40 AM

Went straight to 64 from XP. My XP install died, and I figured it was better to install Vista than do a clean install of XP. No problems whatsoever with the OS itself or programs. Only thing I've had issues with is driver support, and it's acceptable. That is, all hardware I have works for the most part, even with beta drivers. The only program issues I've seen are that some programs do not correctly install their shortcuts in Vista. That's no problem, of course, since most people know how to make them. Other than that, I just update any current software, and run the old stuff as it is. No problems either way.

Games that are known working:

Neverwinter Nights 1
Neverwinter Nights 2
Command & Conquer 3
Eve Online

Most games should work just fine, although I have some minor doubts about older EA titles. EA games have the worst track record when it comes to compatibility. If C&C Generals works, pretty much anything that worked on XP/ 2000 will work.

Jul 10, 2007, 06:13 AM	#1
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Vista Ultimate 32 - 64 Transition I'm just curious if anyone has done this yet? If so how much was it, and did you run into any problems?

Jul 10, 2007, 03:42 PM	#2
EcPercy HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Iraq Posts: 1,535 Rep Power: 0	I was running 32 bit vista on another computer (it was not 64 bit capable). When I built my new computer I went for it and loaded Vista Ultimate 64. I have no complaints so far. Every device I have has drivers for the 64 bit OS. The only 2 programs I have had any issues with: Vmware Server (GSX) - The issue I have had here is that their drivers are not signed and Vista 64 will not install any unsigned drivers. Cisco VPN Client - Cisco does not currently have a VPN client that works in a 64 bit environment. They had to write a brand new client just to work properly in Vista 32. I have Vmware Workstation running with an XP virtual machine that I use to connect to the VPN at work.

Jul 10, 2007, 10:12 PM	#6
dipstick HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3,609 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	I recently made the switch to make better use of my ram and I honestly can say I can't even notice the difference. Only one app gave me trouble and that was spyware sweeper. I have since moved on to SAS and all is well.

Jul 12, 2007, 06:36 AM	Thread Starter #8
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	I think the biggest thing keeping me from going 64 is I'm too lazy to reinstall!

Jul 19, 2007, 06:40 AM	#10
WardenWolf DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 43 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Went straight to 64 from XP. My XP install died, and I figured it was better to install Vista than do a clean install of XP. No problems whatsoever with the OS itself or programs. Only thing I've had issues with is driver support, and it's acceptable. That is, all hardware I have works for the most part, even with beta drivers. The only program issues I've seen are that some programs do not correctly install their shortcuts in Vista. That's no problem, of course, since most people know how to make them. Other than that, I just update any current software, and run the old stuff as it is. No problems either way. Games that are known working: Neverwinter Nights 1 Neverwinter Nights 2 Command & Conquer 3 Eve Online Most games should work just fine, although I have some minor doubts about older EA titles. EA games have the worst track record when it comes to compatibility. If C&C Generals works, pretty much anything that worked on XP/ 2000 will work.