1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

Windows 7 Pro XP Mode & 32 or 64 bit?

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by SarahB, 2010/01/30.

Page 1 of 2
  1. 2010/01/30
    SarahB

    SarahB Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/08/10
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    1
    I'm contemplating an upgrade to Windows 7 Pro.

    Question is, do I use the 32 or 64 bit version and why? (Simple language for a simple girl please!)

    Also does anyone use the XP mode and how does it work in practise? I have a film scanner and possibly a printer that does not have manufacturer updated drivers for W7. I also have some software I may need to run in XP mode (Rawshooter). How would this work?
     
    SarahB,
    #1
  2. 2010/01/30
    Bobk

    Bobk Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    2010/01/26
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    0
    I got Window 7 with 64bits. It's turned into an expensive mistake.

    My perfectly good 5 year old EPSON scanner has NO drivers (EPSON considers it too old!)

    Hundreds of excellent older utility programs - no longer will run.

    Several of my costly application programs, will not install or will not run.

    I don't know if 32 bit avoids this all, but if my old computer was still working - I'd stay with XP. If I KNEW I'd have all those problems, I'd have gone with 32bit.. But have no idea if Windows 7 has just gone crazy with 'security' protection, or the 64 bit change caused that problem..

    Bob K
     
    Bobk,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2010/01/31
    SarahB

    SarahB Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/08/10
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    1
    Thanks for this Bob. Have you tried using the XP mode for all the things that won't run?

    What's the advantage for having 64 bit over 32? This might be a stupid question for all the experts out there - but to a simple girl like me it's a mystery!
     
    SarahB,
    #3
  5. 2010/01/31
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Sarah

    I have no problems running Windows 7 Pro x64 witrh old software - I was amazed that 15 year old software instals and runs happily in that environment, e.g. Word Perfect 8 (used for print labels), Lotus Organiser. The only 2 programs which would not install were Quicken 2000 and my CD label printing software and they run fine in Windows XP Mode.

    XP mode in which a free copy of XP Pro runs in a virtual machine is available only in Pro and Ultimate/Enterprise and is a free download from MS and a doddle to install - even for a 'simple girl' :)

    Windows 7: Which Edition Should You Choose?

    Hardware - if there are Vista drivers available they should work, but even very old hardware may work - I had a 15year+ Deskjet 520, parallel port for which MS came up with drivers - through Add Hardware. My Canoscan Lide 35 would not load, but after searching the Internet I found a workaround and it is installed as a Lide 600 :) - and works fine.

    I have not used my Nikon Coolscan 1V on Windows 7 AFAIK, but it does not recognise NikonScan anyway and I use VueScan which is compatible with Windows 7.

    I've no idea why you are using Rawshooter - this was bought by Adobe some years ago and incorporated into Camera Raw which could be said to be Rawshooter on steroids :)

    The bottom line is check for drivers for Win 7 before committing and if none are available look for Vista drivers or workarounds on the net.

    The big question is 32 bit or 64 bit .....

    There is very little 64 bit software available at present, not even from MS. AFAIK Office 10 will be the first Office to be released in 32 & 64 bits. IE8 64 bit is installed by default along with the 32 bit version, but the former is currently somewhat crippled by the lack of 64 bit ActiveX. Java is available in both flavours and PS CS4 and Lightroom 2.5 and above are available as 64 bit - PS installs both versions, but the speed gain is only 8 - 10 % over the 32 bit version.

    In Windows 7 x64 you have 2 Program File folders, one for 32 bit apps and the other for 64 bit apps.

    The main advantage of x64 is the ability to break the 4 GB RAM limit (effective ~3.5 Gb) and use more RAM. ~3.5 Gb is OK for most applications, so unless you are desperate to use more than 4 Gb RAM I would stick with x32.

    Don't wait too long to make up your mind - Windows 8 is reportedly being coded now :eek:
     
    PeteC,
    #4
  6. 2010/01/31
    SarahB

    SarahB Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/08/10
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    1
    Thanks for this Peter. When I upgrade, I was going to add another 2GB RAM to the PC so it looks as though 32 bit will be OK. Presumably my version of CS3 (upgrade) will run OK on this? But if it is possible to install both 64 and 32 bit apps on the 64 bit version, then that's reassuring.

    I still use Rawshooter because (like Outlook Express), it's simple and I like it!:D
    The interface of a film strip and large preview I can zoom in and out of easily and at high res suits me well. I've not yet managed to get similar in Camera Raw!

    I'm concerned about the Nikon Coolscan V ED I have as there are no W7 drivers for that yet?

    Will the 1290 still run too? The 3800 should be OK.

    I use Firefox instead of IE. Again because I like it ....................:D

    As for Windows 8, why oh why do we have to keep upgrading............. it's so expensive:mad:
     
    SarahB,
    #5
  7. 2010/01/31
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    According to Windows 7 Compatibility Center the 1290 is compatible with 32 bit Windows 7 .....

    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/co...Search.aspx?type=Hardware&s=epson stylus 1290

    The Nikon Coolscan V ED is questionable, but there is always Viewscan - I may give that a whirl to check it out on 7 with my Coolscan IV ......

    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/co.../Search.aspx?type=Hardware&s=nikon coolscan V

    There are one or two possible workarounds on the net and Nikon are supposedly checking compatability.

    Yes - I have CS2, CS3 & CS4 installed.
    No 'have to' about it - plenty of folk still using older OS's and XP will be supported until 2014 I believe - Vista may die sooner ??
     
    PeteC,
    #6
  8. 2010/01/31
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Update ....

    Vuescan works perfectly in Windows 7 :)
     
    PeteC,
    #7
  9. 2010/01/31
    SarahB

    SarahB Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/08/10
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    1
    That's all very useful and interesting, Peter, thank you.

    What is the link for Vuescan? Is it hamrick.com?

    Will Nikon Scan work in XP mode?

    Interesting you think XP will be supported until 2014! I thought it was this year for some reason. That's good news:)
     
    SarahB,
    #8
  10. 2010/01/31
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Mainstream support for XP which offered some no-charge support and free updates that don't deal with security issues ended last year - April.

    Extended support is maintained until 2014 - extended support is the period when all support is fee-based and non-security hotfixes are produced only for corporate customers. Critical holes will continue to be patched.
    Yes
    Hmm - not sure - the virtual machine uses some virtual hardware, but I would think so, but without trying I don't know for sure. Can't test that out as for reaons best known to Nikon Scan it no longer recognises my Nikon scanner :eek:
     
    PeteC,
    #9
  11. 2010/01/31
    Bobk

    Bobk Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    2010/01/26
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    0
    I got Windows 7 64bit Home .. it DOES NOT run Virtual XP
    That adds nearly another $100 to upgrade. I may do that
    in order to get my scanner to run again,
    Photoshop CS & Elements, Office 2003, and numerous other utility programs.

    All in all, Windows 7 remains an overly Expensive upgrade from XP..

    Bob
     
    Bobk,
    #10
  12. 2010/02/01
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

    Joined:
    2001/12/27
    Messages:
    15,174
    Likes Received:
    412
    Also note that if your system isn't capable of running XP mode (or you don't have Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate), you can still run Windows XP in a virtual machine.

    You'll need to download & install Virtual PC 2007 and you will need a licensed copy of Windows XP to install on VPC.

    Office 2003 works fine on Windows 7, as do most programs.
     
    Arie,
    #11
  13. 2010/02/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    And if your scanner has no Windows 7 drivers try Vuescan which is compatible with 7 - I run a Nikon Coolscan IV is 7 Pro x64 with no issues.
     
    PeteC,
    #12
  14. 2010/02/01
    Bobk

    Bobk Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    2010/01/26
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks, I'll give it a try (Free trial, doesn't say how long ).

    It looks good, supports many scanners. But costs $40. For that or a few dollars more I could buy a new scanner AND software, or super good used.

    Bob
     
    Bobk,
    #13
  15. 2010/02/01
    Bobk

    Bobk Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    2010/01/26
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit & according to MS, their VM will NOT work without an upgrade to one of those others.

    I'll try it but I still have a catch22 ..
    I own Windows XP, on my old HD. My XP MBR needs to be repaired, and Window7 doesn't allow any of the older programs to run, so I can't repair it without XP running!! ..
    Will Windows 7 allow my XP SYSTEM without it's MBR, to run? (the partition table could also be bad, so files wouldn't be found).

    I truly need an XP CD/DVD Image to boot in order to run the older programs that CAN fix that old XP MBR..

    I'll try Office 2003 again, but it was one after another of several Apps that wouldn't install to Windows 7.

    Will let you all know what happens when I install the VM on my Home edition..

    Thanks
    Bob
     
    Bobk,
    #14
  16. 2010/02/01
    r.leale Lifetime Subscription

    r.leale Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    2002/01/17
    Messages:
    647
    Likes Received:
    4
    What do you mean by 'programs' in the quote? In the recovery console for Windows 7 all the old dos commands are available - eg fixmbr.

    Roger
     
    r.leale,
    #15
  17. 2010/02/02
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

    Joined:
    2001/12/27
    Messages:
    15,174
    Likes Received:
    412
    Please read what I wrote. Virtual PC 2007 works fine with any Windows 7 (and Vista & XP).


    You may want to explain what you did, and what your hard disk setup is.
     
    Arie,
    #16
  18. 2010/02/02
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    PeteC,
    #17
  19. 2010/02/02
    Bobk

    Bobk Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    2010/01/26
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    0
    None of my old DOS commands, utilities, programs work. Windows 7 recovery will wipe out my XP MBR by replacing it with it's own, and remove the XP partition tables. That's not quite a "recovery" - more like a 'clean off & start all over again'.

    The programs that won't work, would (if using DOS or XP) allow me to read, view, modify, and rewrite damaged sectors so I can KEEP my XP drive.

    Bob
     
    Bobk,
    #18
  20. 2010/02/04
    SarahB

    SarahB Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/08/10
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    1
    SarahB,
    #19
  21. 2010/02/04
    SarahB

    SarahB Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/08/10
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    1
    SarahB,
    #20
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...