PC related question

[nomemory]

I will soon get to borrow a better computer. But to utilise it's full potential I'll have to use a x64 system, not sure what that means since I'm a bit of a noob. Now I use Windows XP and it's a x32. We will move my hard drive to the new PC and my mum says I will have to reinstall everything to make it work, she also says I will have to use Windows Vista, since only that and Windows 7 has x64 and at the moment I can't afford to buy 7. But isn't there anyway to use XP in x64? And do I really have to clean the whole hard drive and reinstall it? Sorry for disturbing you and thanks in advance.

[baka1412]

You're talking about 32bit and 64bit processors..

And if I'm not wrong, Microsoft also released Windows XP for 64bit

[Akonyl]

First off, x64 means that the system is 64-bit, as opposed to 32-bit (x32). Without going into the details, 64-bit operating systems are able to use 64-bit hardware effectively, and 64-bit hardware runs better than 32-bit. Most notably (and what most people care about) is that if you have a large amount of RAM (above 4GB), a 64-bit system will handle it much better.

Also, what do you mean by you "borrowing a better computer"? And if the computer needs an x64 system to be at its full potential, why doesn't it have one?

As for your mom saying you need to use Vista or 7 because they're the only ones with 64-bit support, that's not entirely right:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_editions#64-bit_editions
(looks like because I went afk, baka already covered this :V)
Either way though, if your version of XP right now is 32-bit (which I'm guessing it is), you'd have to buy a new OS anyway, and 64-bit Vista is probably better than 64-bit XP I would guess (because Vista was originally made 64bit iirc, whereas XP's 64-bit was an afterthought)

As for the hard drive, to be honest I dunno if the 32-bit -> 64 bit change would require a hard drive reformatting, but generally when you're getting a new OS, you have to format the primary drive. So, if the computer already has a hard drive, you could (hopefully) install the new OS on it, and then add in the harddrive as a secondary so you could just access your files on it. Of course, you'd still have to reinstall your programs, but you wouldn't lose your pictures/music/data/etc

[nomemory]

First off, x64 means that the system is 64-bit, as opposed to 32-bit (x32). Without going into the details, 64-bit operating systems are able to use 64-bit hardware effectively, and 64-bit hardware runs better than 32-bit. Most notably (and what most people care about) is that if you have a large amount of RAM (above 4GB), a 64-bit system will handle it much better.

Also, what do you mean by you "borrowing a better computer"? And if the computer needs an x64 system to be at its full potential, why doesn't it have one?

As for your mom saying you need to use Vista or 7 because they're the only ones with 64-bit support, that's not entirely right:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_editions#64-bit_editions
(looks like because I went afk, baka already covered this :V)
Either way though, if your version of XP right now is 32-bit (which I'm guessing it is), you'd have to buy a new OS anyway, and 64-bit Vista is probably better than 64-bit XP I would guess (because Vista was originally made 64bit iirc, whereas XP's 64-bit was an afterthought)

As for the hard drive, to be honest I dunno if the 32-bit -> 64 bit change would require a hard drive reformatting, but generally when you're getting a new OS, you have to format the primary drive. So, if the computer already has a hard drive, you could (hopefully) install the new OS on it, and then add in the harddrive as a secondary so you could just access your files on it. Of course, you'd still have to reinstall your programs, but you wouldn't lose your pictures/music/data/etc

It is my mums computer, as things are now she doesn't use it and I thought it is a waste to just let it stand there and collect dust. It does already have Vista but we will switch hardrives so that she can keep her pc as it is when I will stop borrowing it. Yeah it does have more RAM or some other kind of memory, don't really remember =/. It does have Vista but the thing is everyone I know keeps on saying that Vista is crap and that it always crashes. Therefore I was thinking if it would be easier to keep XP. But if I have to reinstall everything however I do I might as well switch to Vista. If it crashes a lot I'll buy Windows 7 later.


Thank you.

[Akonyl]

First off, x64 means that the system is 64-bit, as opposed to 32-bit (x32). Without going into the details, 64-bit operating systems are able to use 64-bit hardware effectively, and 64-bit hardware runs better than 32-bit. Most notably (and what most people care about) is that if you have a large amount of RAM (above 4GB), a 64-bit system will handle it much better.

Also, what do you mean by you "borrowing a better computer"? And if the computer needs an x64 system to be at its full potential, why doesn't it have one?

As for your mom saying you need to use Vista or 7 because they're the only ones with 64-bit support, that's not entirely right:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_editions#64-bit_editions
(looks like because I went afk, baka already covered this :V)
Either way though, if your version of XP right now is 32-bit (which I'm guessing it is), you'd have to buy a new OS anyway, and 64-bit Vista is probably better than 64-bit XP I would guess (because Vista was originally made 64bit iirc, whereas XP's 64-bit was an afterthought)

As for the hard drive, to be honest I dunno if the 32-bit -> 64 bit change would require a hard drive reformatting, but generally when you're getting a new OS, you have to format the primary drive. So, if the computer already has a hard drive, you could (hopefully) install the new OS on it, and then add in the harddrive as a secondary so you could just access your files on it. Of course, you'd still have to reinstall your programs, but you wouldn't lose your pictures/music/data/etc

It is my mums computer, as things are now she doesn't use it and I thought it is a waste to just let it stand there and collect dust. It does already have Vista but we will switch hardrives so that she can keep her pc as it is when I will stop borrowing it. Yeah it does have more RAM or some other kind of memory, don't really remember =/. It does have Vista but the thing is everyone I know keeps on saying that Vista is crap and that it always crashes. Therefore I was thinking if it would be easier to keep XP. But if I have to reinstall everything however I do I might as well switch to Vista. If it crashes a lot I'll buy Windows 7 later.


Thank you.

RAM is just what people tend to refer to as memory, as opposed to ROM (the hard drive), which is still technically memory.

As for Vista crashing a lot, my computer runs with Vista and I've honestly had no problems with it that are related to it being Vista. The last time my computer's crashed is when I was busy fighting off a virus, but that was because of stuff the virus did, not Vista. So really, you should be fine with Vista, I would imagine, and it definitely doesn't crash enough to warrant buying a new OS.

[nomemory]

First off, x64 means that the system is 64-bit, as opposed to 32-bit (x32). Without going into the details, 64-bit operating systems are able to use 64-bit hardware effectively, and 64-bit hardware runs better than 32-bit. Most notably (and what most people care about) is that if you have a large amount of RAM (above 4GB), a 64-bit system will handle it much better.

Also, what do you mean by you "borrowing a better computer"? And if the computer needs an x64 system to be at its full potential, why doesn't it have one?

As for your mom saying you need to use Vista or 7 because they're the only ones with 64-bit support, that's not entirely right:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_editions#64-bit_editions
(looks like because I went afk, baka already covered this :V)
Either way though, if your version of XP right now is 32-bit (which I'm guessing it is), you'd have to buy a new OS anyway, and 64-bit Vista is probably better than 64-bit XP I would guess (because Vista was originally made 64bit iirc, whereas XP's 64-bit was an afterthought)

As for the hard drive, to be honest I dunno if the 32-bit -> 64 bit change would require a hard drive reformatting, but generally when you're getting a new OS, you have to format the primary drive. So, if the computer already has a hard drive, you could (hopefully) install the new OS on it, and then add in the harddrive as a secondary so you could just access your files on it. Of course, you'd still have to reinstall your programs, but you wouldn't lose your pictures/music/data/etc

It is my mums computer, as things are now she doesn't use it and I thought it is a waste to just let it stand there and collect dust. It does already have Vista but we will switch hardrives so that she can keep her pc as it is when I will stop borrowing it. Yeah it does have more RAM or some other kind of memory, don't really remember =/. It does have Vista but the thing is everyone I know keeps on saying that Vista is crap and that it always crashes. Therefore I was thinking if it would be easier to keep XP. But if I have to reinstall everything however I do I might as well switch to Vista. If it crashes a lot I'll buy Windows 7 later.


Thank you.

RAM is just what people tend to refer to as memory, as opposed to ROM (the hard drive), which is still technically memory.

As for Vista crashing a lot, my computer runs with Vista and I've honestly had no problems with it that are related to it being Vista. The last time my computer's crashed is when I was busy fighting off a virus, but that was because of stuff the virus did, not Vista. So really, you should be fine with Vista, I would imagine, and it definitely doesn't crash enough to warrant buying a new OS.

Great =). Then I will start organizing my computer for the transfer. Do you play a lot of games btw? I do that so I was wondering if Vista performs well then. Also how is it compatible with programs for older versions of Windows.

[Akonyl]

First off, x64 means that the system is 64-bit, as opposed to 32-bit (x32). Without going into the details, 64-bit operating systems are able to use 64-bit hardware effectively, and 64-bit hardware runs better than 32-bit. Most notably (and what most people care about) is that if you have a large amount of RAM (above 4GB), a 64-bit system will handle it much better.

Also, what do you mean by you "borrowing a better computer"? And if the computer needs an x64 system to be at its full potential, why doesn't it have one?

As for your mom saying you need to use Vista or 7 because they're the only ones with 64-bit support, that's not entirely right:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_editions#64-bit_editions
(looks like because I went afk, baka already covered this :V)
Either way though, if your version of XP right now is 32-bit (which I'm guessing it is), you'd have to buy a new OS anyway, and 64-bit Vista is probably better than 64-bit XP I would guess (because Vista was originally made 64bit iirc, whereas XP's 64-bit was an afterthought)

As for the hard drive, to be honest I dunno if the 32-bit -> 64 bit change would require a hard drive reformatting, but generally when you're getting a new OS, you have to format the primary drive. So, if the computer already has a hard drive, you could (hopefully) install the new OS on it, and then add in the harddrive as a secondary so you could just access your files on it. Of course, you'd still have to reinstall your programs, but you wouldn't lose your pictures/music/data/etc

It is my mums computer, as things are now she doesn't use it and I thought it is a waste to just let it stand there and collect dust. It does already have Vista but we will switch hardrives so that she can keep her pc as it is when I will stop borrowing it. Yeah it does have more RAM or some other kind of memory, don't really remember =/. It does have Vista but the thing is everyone I know keeps on saying that Vista is crap and that it always crashes. Therefore I was thinking if it would be easier to keep XP. But if I have to reinstall everything however I do I might as well switch to Vista. If it crashes a lot I'll buy Windows 7 later.


Thank you.

RAM is just what people tend to refer to as memory, as opposed to ROM (the hard drive), which is still technically memory.

As for Vista crashing a lot, my computer runs with Vista and I've honestly had no problems with it that are related to it being Vista. The last time my computer's crashed is when I was busy fighting off a virus, but that was because of stuff the virus did, not Vista. So really, you should be fine with Vista, I would imagine, and it definitely doesn't crash enough to warrant buying a new OS.

Great =). Then I will start organizing my computer for the transfer. Do you play a lot of games btw? I do that so I was wondering if Vista performs well then. Also how is it compatible with programs for older versions of Windows.

I wouldn't say "a lot", but I've played mirrors edge, prototype, mass effect 1/2 on the comptuer (WoW also, but that doesn't matter because it requires 0 power), but they run fine. My computer's bottleneck was originally the video card, but once I got that upgraded I could run all teh games basically on max, so the games not working well wasn't Vista's fault. The only real problem with Vista in regards to games is Vista can hog a lot of memory for itself, leaving less for the games to run on, but if you're gettin a 64bit system I'd guess you have more than enough memory.

[nomemory]

First off, x64 means that the system is 64-bit, as opposed to 32-bit (x32). Without going into the details, 64-bit operating systems are able to use 64-bit hardware effectively, and 64-bit hardware runs better than 32-bit. Most notably (and what most people care about) is that if you have a large amount of RAM (above 4GB), a 64-bit system will handle it much better.

Also, what do you mean by you "borrowing a better computer"? And if the computer needs an x64 system to be at its full potential, why doesn't it have one?

As for your mom saying you need to use Vista or 7 because they're the only ones with 64-bit support, that's not entirely right:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_editions#64-bit_editions
(looks like because I went afk, baka already covered this :V)
Either way though, if your version of XP right now is 32-bit (which I'm guessing it is), you'd have to buy a new OS anyway, and 64-bit Vista is probably better than 64-bit XP I would guess (because Vista was originally made 64bit iirc, whereas XP's 64-bit was an afterthought)

As for the hard drive, to be honest I dunno if the 32-bit -> 64 bit change would require a hard drive reformatting, but generally when you're getting a new OS, you have to format the primary drive. So, if the computer already has a hard drive, you could (hopefully) install the new OS on it, and then add in the harddrive as a secondary so you could just access your files on it. Of course, you'd still have to reinstall your programs, but you wouldn't lose your pictures/music/data/etc

It is my mums computer, as things are now she doesn't use it and I thought it is a waste to just let it stand there and collect dust. It does already have Vista but we will switch hardrives so that she can keep her pc as it is when I will stop borrowing it. Yeah it does have more RAM or some other kind of memory, don't really remember =/. It does have Vista but the thing is everyone I know keeps on saying that Vista is crap and that it always crashes. Therefore I was thinking if it would be easier to keep XP. But if I have to reinstall everything however I do I might as well switch to Vista. If it crashes a lot I'll buy Windows 7 later.


Thank you.

RAM is just what people tend to refer to as memory, as opposed to ROM (the hard drive), which is still technically memory.

As for Vista crashing a lot, my computer runs with Vista and I've honestly had no problems with it that are related to it being Vista. The last time my computer's crashed is when I was busy fighting off a virus, but that was because of stuff the virus did, not Vista. So really, you should be fine with Vista, I would imagine, and it definitely doesn't crash enough to warrant buying a new OS.

Great =). Then I will start organizing my computer for the transfer. Do you play a lot of games btw? I do that so I was wondering if Vista performs well then. Also how is it compatible with programs for older versions of Windows.

I wouldn't say "a lot", but I've played mirrors edge, prototype, mass effect 1/2 on the comptuer (WoW also, but that doesn't matter because it requires 0 power), but they run fine. My computer's bottleneck was originally the video card, but once I got that upgraded I could run all teh games basically on max, so the games not working well wasn't Vista's fault. The only real problem with Vista in regards to games is Vista can hog a lot of memory for itself, leaving less for the games to run on, but if you're gettin a 64bit system I'd guess you have more than enough memory.

I think it was 6 mb but my memory is foggy on that.

[Akonyl]

I think it was 6 mb but my memory is foggy on that.

6 GB, I would hope.

[nomemory]

I think it was 6 mb but my memory is foggy on that.

6 GB, I would hope.

I guess MB is really slow then. Yeah if  that is the case it should be 6 GB, I always forget which one it is. I think it was 6 anyhow. I think I have two now or was it four.. Don't remember were to check what it is.

[Akonyl]

I think it was 6 mb but my memory is foggy on that.

6 GB, I would hope.

I guess MB is really slow then. Yeah if  that is the case it should be 6 GB, I always forget which one it is. I think it was 6 anyhow. I think I have two now or was it four.. Don't remember were to check what it is.

it is, for comparison a top-of-the-line computer in the mid-90s might have 64 MB, so if you had 6 MB I would pity you.

[nomemory]

I think it was 6 mb but my memory is foggy on that.

6 GB, I would hope.

I guess MB is really slow then. Yeah if  that is the case it should be 6 GB, I always forget which one it is. I think it was 6 anyhow. I think I have two now or was it four.. Don't remember were to check what it is.

it is, for comparison a top-of-the-line computer in the mid-90s might have 64 MB, so if you had 6 MB I would pity you.

Oops, then it is definitely GB. I don't think XP would run on a 6 MB pc even.

[Akonyl]

I think it was 6 mb but my memory is foggy on that.

6 GB, I would hope.

I guess MB is really slow then. Yeah if  that is the case it should be 6 GB, I always forget which one it is. I think it was 6 anyhow. I think I have two now or was it four.. Don't remember were to check what it is.

it is, for comparison a top-of-the-line computer in the mid-90s might have 64 MB, so if you had 6 MB I would pity you.

Oops, then it is definitely GB. I don't think XP would run on a 6 MB pc even.

if you could get it to, I'd think you would win some sort of award.

[nomemory]

I think it was 6 mb but my memory is foggy on that.

6 GB, I would hope.

I guess MB is really slow then. Yeah if  that is the case it should be 6 GB, I always forget which one it is. I think it was 6 anyhow. I think I have two now or was it four.. Don't remember were to check what it is.

it is, for comparison a top-of-the-line computer in the mid-90s might have 64 MB, so if you had 6 MB I would pity you.

Oops, then it is definitely GB. I don't think XP would run on a 6 MB pc even.

if you could get it to, I'd think you would win some sort of award.

=) I doubt I could ever make such I thing happen, after all I'm not that good with computers, although I know a lot of people that are worse than I am.

[Conia]

6 GB!?
*Dies of jealousy like always*