Vista 64 bit vs. 7 32 bit

[CrossLOPER]

It's going to be sometime before I can justify purchasing a new laptop. I am experimenting with operating systems and I have two choices for the moment. The laptop in question currently has an HP version of Vista 32 bit, which is inefficient. So of the two choices that I have, which do I choose. I don't really care which one I choose, I just want this laptop to run just slightly better for a while longer.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

How much RAM you got in there, and can it be upgraded, and if so, by how much?

If you've got less than ~3.2 GB of RAM and it can't go higher, 32 bit 7 is a no-brainer. If you've got more RAM (or can upgrade to more) then you'd need a 64-bit OS to take advantage of it. However 7 is better anyway so if you've only got a little more RAM it might still be the way to go.

[CrossLOPER]

I have hardware that does not have drivers for 7, so that makes the problem a little more difficult to deal with. I've had people tell me that 64 bit Vista is simply more efficient, so I was hoping that I could squeeze a little bit more from it. I don't really plan on spending more money on it since I am may very well replace it in about 2 years.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

What hardware? If it's got drivers for vista you can usually use them with 7 as well.

The "more efficient" thing is probably in regards to memory usage, which as I said doesn't matter if you have less than ~3.2 gigs.

[LeftEyeNine]

Comparing Vista and 7 is a no-brainer.

It's like "should I ask a zombie politely with the appropriate gestures to leave my skull alone or bash the out of him ?".

[Lemur]

What hardware? If it's got drivers for vista you can usually use them with 7 as well.

Quoted for truth. I have run Vista drivers under 7 and they generally work like a charm. There is no real reason to go with Vista. If you have 2 gigs of RAM or less, go with Windows 7 32-bit. If you have 3 gigs of RAM or more, go with Windows 7 64-bit.

[Xiahou]

Or just go with Win7 64-bit, period. It's not like 32bit Win7 is cheaper or anything.

[Papewaio]

Only problem with Windows 7 is that it can be difficult to play Fallout 3 on... or in my case impossible.

Otherwise much like Star Trek, Microsoft has a tendancy to make every 2nd release really terrible... Windows Vista is in the same catergory as Windows ME.

[LeftEyeNine]

Why play F3, Pape-san ? I liked you.

[Tellos Athenaios]

If this is a choice between two OS'es you happen to have lying around, I'd go with 32bit 7 not because it's so much better than 64bit Vista but because I expect it will receive support (i.e. security fixes and so on) for a lot longer than Vista will.

If however, you just want to get more life out of your hardware, I'd go for a 64bit Linux based OS. Or if you insist on Window, I'd agree with Xiahou for a change and go with a 64bit version of Windows 7 instead.

[Papewaio]

Why play F3, Pape-san ? I liked you.

Because I played F2 and it was heavily discounted so why not?

[Lemur]

Why play F3

Load it up with mods and it ain't all bad.

[LeftEyeNine]

Because I played F2 and it was heavily discounted so why not?

We all played Fallout 1 & 2 and could die should Ron Perlman slip into our dreams and say "War...War never changes...I want you dead as soon as you wake up" but F3 is just a different story to Fallout gamers.

Fallout New Vegas is as close as new-gen games could get. You should try that out and beg Enclave to forgive you for your sins.

[a completely inoffensive name]

Fallout New Vegas is as close as new-gen games could get.

Tbh, F3 and F:NV with the right enhanced texture mods look more aesthetically pleasing than most brand new games.

[Drunk Clown]

Fallout 3 is great, period. Combat is a bit boring.

[LeftEyeNine]

Let's discuss about FNV and F3 in The Arena.

[Papewaio]

Problem is I can't with my own machine play F3 to make a judgement call. :(

[Lemur]

Pape, I suspect you're having some other issue, since I've been able to play F3 on a Win7 64-bit machine without problem. Potential vectors of trouble: video card and/or video driver; sound card and/or sound driver. You aren't trying to game on a Quadro, are you?

[Papewaio]

Worse a six core.

[Lemur]

Worse a six core.

No, no, that's your CPU; I was referring to your GPU. The Nvidia Quadro is a CAD-certified card that isn't really meant for gaming. I was wondering if you were running something like that and wondering why you are having trouble running some titles. Just, you know, musing out loud.

[Drunk Clown]

Quadro not Quatro.

[CrossLOPER]

Just a follow-up:

I Installed Win7 32-bit. Works great. Much better than Vista. GPU temps went down by 10C. Boot and application startup is more consistent. Identifying drivers was a bit of a pain, but the laptop now works better than ever before.

[a completely inoffensive name]

I am trying to upgrade my desktop's 32 bit Vista to 64 bit Windows 7. I have no idea what I am doing here.

[CrossLOPER]

I have no idea what I am doing here.

Quick version:
1.Put disc in drive.
2.Follow instructions on screen.

Long version:
1. Mark select data for backup. Scan with MSE and Malwarebytes.
2. Save to external drive.
3. Place windows disk into drive.
4. Restart. Boot from drive when prompted to do so.
5. Select partition of Vista 32 and reformat.
6. Select formatted partition for installation for 7 64.
7. Follow the instructions on your screen.

You. Must. Reformat.

YOU MUST REFORMAT.

[a completely inoffensive name]

Quick version:
1.Put disc in drive.
2.Follow instructions on screen.

Long version:
1. Mark select data for backup. Scan with MSE and Malwarebytes.
2. Save to external drive.
3. Place windows disk into drive.
4. Restart. Boot from drive when prompted to do so.
5. Select partition of Vista 32 and reformat.
6. Select formatted partition for installation for 7 64.
7. Follow the instructions on your screen.

You. Must. Reformat.

YOU MUST REFORMAT.

I did the quick version. It asked me what I wanted to partition so I clicked on the C: drive and hit next. Did I do it right?

[CrossLOPER]

I did the quick version. It asked me what I wanted to partition so I clicked on the C: drive and hit next. Did I do it right?

If it windows works and does not BSOD every five minutes, then yes.

EDIT: Actually, it depends if you reformatted.

I put the short version up as a joke. The long version covers the fact that while migration is possible from one Windows OS to another, the fact that you are going from 32 bit to 64 bit means that you must reformat since you can't just add another 32 bits. I never upgrade, only fresh install, so I can only assume that the installer rebooted and gave you the option of reformatting. You should probably reformat anyway since this purges anything that could possibly be on the hard drive, or at least the partition that you chose, which in your case, sounds like the entire drive.

I'm really sorry for the confusion.

[a completely inoffensive name]

If it windows works and does not BSOD every five minutes, then yes.

Oh yeah, no BSOD or anything like that so far.

[CrossLOPER]

Oh yeah, no BSOD or anything like that so far.

Alright, well I guess the autoinstaller is actually good. Glad to hear using it worked out.

[a completely inoffensive name]

Alright, well I guess the autoinstaller is actually good. Glad to hear using it worked out.

Yes, thank you very much.

Now onto the problem I have just run into, my LCD tv monitor for some reason has the outer edges of the display beyond the scope of the tv itself. I can't see where the start button is I just have to move my mouse all the way down to the left and click. Everytime I change the resolution I will see a brief flash where I can see the buttons but then the tv monitor changes its resolution as well and everything becomes unviewable except the big windows background logo.

[a completely inoffensive name]

OH ****! I restarted my computer and now I am getting BSOD....