WOW
Thanks for the awesome responses guys. As hornet as pointed out I'm a douche so I have not had time to respond to this until now, so I'll respond to everyone at once =P
After hearing mostly good things here and elsewhere, I got a legal copy of Vista Ultimate 32-bit for free that I traded a bunch of stuff for (so I guess not for free, but I didn't have to spend money, which is just as good), so I have definitely decided to try it out. While I am still curious to try 64-bit, this was a sweet deal, so I'm not complaining. Honestly though, unless I found it for free I was just going to wait it out with XP.
Damaged:
I am running an Intel Core Two Duo e6750 2.4 on a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L rev 1.0 with 4 GB OCZ Platinum Rev. 2 DDR2-6400. I also have a EVGA 8800GT OC 512MB with a 22" wide screen Acer LCD. I am running XP Pro on a 250GB drive as of now, and I have a Corsair 650 watt power supply. I built this in Oct./Nov. 2007.
As far as the memory, will Vista Ultimate 32 bit utilize all my 4GB? I was under the impression XP didn't use all four gigs but Vista would?
UnhappyMeal:
My hard drive itself has plenty of room - the issue is I only made the C: partition 10GB. See, I made four different partitions on my 250GB drive, and the problem is the system partition only has like 30mb left after I noobed it up and accidentally deleted a bunch of stuff I now realize I need. While there are utilities I can use to reallocate, they are never clean and usually cause issues. Most importantly, I just have a lot of cobwebs in this thing after a year and need to clean. You'd be surprised how much you can improve performance by reinstalling every year instead of just letting it go. Normally I would just use my Ghost images, but I want to do a different set-up.
SuperChav:
The district I work in has recently gone over to Vista Business 32 bit so I have a lot of regular use on it and like it a lot actually so far. One of my reasons for switching is because I want to learn a little more of the ins and outs as I serve in some tech roles here. My main issue is that I have never done "real" work on it and gaming, but from what everyone on here is saying (except for a few) SP1 seems to have fixed the issues, and as Damaged said you can disable to "are you sure" crap.
Windows Vista & Gaming
nightmorph,
thanks for the info. As I am getting this bad boy free of charge, I can't really say no as I am in spend no money for non-essentials mode - as are many Americans.
The only question I have now knowing this - is should I RMA the unopened memory once I get it? I ordered another 2GB of memory that will be here tomorrow (currently 2 are installed). After rebate they were only $17 - so is having both sticks there for the day I do get a 64 bit system worth it to have only one of the extra sticks used?
thanks for the info. As I am getting this bad boy free of charge, I can't really say no as I am in spend no money for non-essentials mode - as are many Americans.
The only question I have now knowing this - is should I RMA the unopened memory once I get it? I ordered another 2GB of memory that will be here tomorrow (currently 2 are installed). After rebate they were only $17 - so is having both sticks there for the day I do get a 64 bit system worth it to have only one of the extra sticks used?
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DW_Damaged
- DW Clan Member
- Posts: 799
- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 12:00 am
Damnidge,
If your going to run the 32bit version then I would send the memory back. The way prices change not to mention the deals you can find over the holidays it will be cheaper to buy it later when and if you go to the 64bit version. Make sure you patch Vista to SP1 and install all updates to the OS and your hardware. Try to download all Vista drivers for your hardware prior to installing Vista and put them on a CD, flash drive or another HD. Also MS will be releasing SP2 for Vista in the next few months so keep an eye out for that as well. You system should not have any problems running either version (32bit or 64bit) of Vista but keep in mind the future of computing is 64bit.
If your going to run the 32bit version then I would send the memory back. The way prices change not to mention the deals you can find over the holidays it will be cheaper to buy it later when and if you go to the 64bit version. Make sure you patch Vista to SP1 and install all updates to the OS and your hardware. Try to download all Vista drivers for your hardware prior to installing Vista and put them on a CD, flash drive or another HD. Also MS will be releasing SP2 for Vista in the next few months so keep an eye out for that as well. You system should not have any problems running either version (32bit or 64bit) of Vista but keep in mind the future of computing is 64bit.
So I was talking to this guy tonight in my night class that works at a tech lab in Frisco and says there is a way to manually override the limitations on memory in both XP and Vista. Something about altering boot.ini? Anyone know what he's talking about?
That's what I thought - I told the guy it was explained to me that it was a sort of "physical" limit to the system, but he was old and stubborn so I didn't want to argue - esp. considering I really didn't know the concept.
On another possibly exciting note, I am wondering something else. The copy of Vista Ultimate that I am getting is a free copy from the "Heroes Happen Here" event my brother went to. Basically, those who went to this event got a copy of Vista Ultimate SP1 32-bit CD and a code to go online and redeem a COA. I read on a few forums earlier that people have downloaded images of the 64-bit DVD and used the codes they have received from Microsoft and their install/activation of the 64-bit OS worked just fine.
So, I have a few more questions:
1. Is there any risk ion trying that? If I install the 64-bit version and go to use the code and it doesn't work - I don't risk "invalidating" the COA if I'm not hooked up to the internet, do I? That is, it doesn't take - all I have to do is just re-format the hard drive and install the 32-bit one, correct?
2. If I cannot find a copy of the 64-bit Vista Ultimate around here, does anyone here have the ability to image their disc and host it so I can download and burn? Will a burned DVD work?
Thanks all!
On another possibly exciting note, I am wondering something else. The copy of Vista Ultimate that I am getting is a free copy from the "Heroes Happen Here" event my brother went to. Basically, those who went to this event got a copy of Vista Ultimate SP1 32-bit CD and a code to go online and redeem a COA. I read on a few forums earlier that people have downloaded images of the 64-bit DVD and used the codes they have received from Microsoft and their install/activation of the 64-bit OS worked just fine.
So, I have a few more questions:
1. Is there any risk ion trying that? If I install the 64-bit version and go to use the code and it doesn't work - I don't risk "invalidating" the COA if I'm not hooked up to the internet, do I? That is, it doesn't take - all I have to do is just re-format the hard drive and install the 32-bit one, correct?
2. If I cannot find a copy of the 64-bit Vista Ultimate around here, does anyone here have the ability to image their disc and host it so I can download and burn? Will a burned DVD work?
Thanks all!
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DW_Damaged
- DW Clan Member
- Posts: 799
- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 12:00 am
Your CD Key for the 32bit version should also work for the 64bit edition. At least it did for mine. The easiest way for you to get it is to have them ship it to you for only the cost of shipping which I think is only $10 or you could spend about 6-10 hours depending on your internet speed to download it from MS. If you call MS and have then ship you the 64bit edition explain what your doing and they can tell you right then if it will work or not.
Well since your running XP now I guess you will be able to tell us what the differance is in the end game.
I run Vista but with a 7900 card which was a mistake since it does not do DirectX 10. It plays fine but I think if I had went with an 8 series card I had been better off. I had to do some tweeks to get it working with out any freezes but this was way over a year ago. I think most driver/cards are running well now.
As far as the memory since its bought and paid for at a low price I would just use it or keep it as a spare. I think 50% of the memory I have bought has had errors right out of the box.
wp
I run Vista but with a 7900 card which was a mistake since it does not do DirectX 10. It plays fine but I think if I had went with an 8 series card I had been better off. I had to do some tweeks to get it working with out any freezes but this was way over a year ago. I think most driver/cards are running well now.
As far as the memory since its bought and paid for at a low price I would just use it or keep it as a spare. I think 50% of the memory I have bought has had errors right out of the box.
wp
joblow@bellsouth.net game contact email.
Damaged,
Is your Vista 64-bit DVD an OEM or "System Builders" disc?
I ask because I called Microsoft reps from sales and they informed me they can only sell me a 64-bit disc if what I have is "retail." I gave the guy some numbers from my disc and he told me what I have shows as OEM. I tried an oem replacement page which is not recognizing my product key, so I emailed an address listed on the page asking if they can do it.
If the email route fails I will be out of options. What I was wondering, is if I cannot get a legit disc from Microsoft, would you be willing to make an exact copy of your 64-bit installer disc and mail it to me? I'd paypal money for shipping and your help.
Thanks man for all the help.
Is your Vista 64-bit DVD an OEM or "System Builders" disc?
I ask because I called Microsoft reps from sales and they informed me they can only sell me a 64-bit disc if what I have is "retail." I gave the guy some numbers from my disc and he told me what I have shows as OEM. I tried an oem replacement page which is not recognizing my product key, so I emailed an address listed on the page asking if they can do it.
If the email route fails I will be out of options. What I was wondering, is if I cannot get a legit disc from Microsoft, would you be willing to make an exact copy of your 64-bit installer disc and mail it to me? I'd paypal money for shipping and your help.
Thanks man for all the help.
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DW_Damaged
- DW Clan Member
- Posts: 799
- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 12:00 am
Damnidge,
My employer purchased both my retail versions of Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate. Unfortunatley I am unable to make a copy of either for you since I am affiliated with Microsoft. Do to my affiliation and signed licensing agreements and documentation that specifically prevent me from selling or copying any MS products I am unable to help you out.
I'm sure you can understand the position I am in and I really hope you get a reply from the email you sent out so you can get a copy of the 64bit version.
My employer purchased both my retail versions of Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate. Unfortunatley I am unable to make a copy of either for you since I am affiliated with Microsoft. Do to my affiliation and signed licensing agreements and documentation that specifically prevent me from selling or copying any MS products I am unable to help you out.
I'm sure you can understand the position I am in and I really hope you get a reply from the email you sent out so you can get a copy of the 64bit version.