upgrade from 32 to 64bit?

Hi everyone,
As will probably be evident by the content of this message, I know very little about computers. I was wondering -- I bought a Toshiba Satellite L500, and in setting it up, see that there is an option to load 32bit or 64bit. I know that 64bit will become the new norm in about a year or so, but don't know what is meant when it is said that different drivers (?) are required for the 64bit usage. What are other pros/cons to each? And if I decide to install 32bit, will I later be able to change to 64bit, and how?
Haha, lots of questions -- any help is appreciated. =)
Thanks!

Hi orbiter - Welcome to w7forums

Drivers are normally 32-Bit drivers but now that 64-Bit operating sytems are out, the drivers must be capable of 64-Bit comunication with the operating system. I just had a look at the specs for the L500 and there are 64-Bit drivers available at the Toshiba website.

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/t...t/jsp/home.jsp

I am not sure how much trouble you will have switching in the future.

Welcome Orbiter! How are your perigee's and apogee's doing?

32 bit or as it is known officially - x86 is limited by it's bandwidth and is limited on how much RAM it can use.

64 bit or x64 has increased bandwidth and can access a lot more RAM

The following should answer most, if not all of your questions. This is talking about Vista, but everything it say applies to Windows 7 also.

Differences and Advantages Between 32-bit (x86) VS 64-bit (x64) Windows Vista

Each editions of Windows Vista operating system is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions (x86 anx x64 are terms used by Microsoft), making 64-bit OS option now a widely available choice. And with almost all CPU processor and motherboard nowadays is x64 based which capable of running 64-bit OS, it presents hard decision to consumers to decide and pick whether 32-bit or 64-bit versions of Windows Vista is suitable choice.

Microsoft publishes KB946765 which details the main differences between 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Vista, which mainly relate to memory accessibility, memory management, and enhanced security features, as listed in table below.

Architecture Windows Vista, 32-bit versions Windows Vista, 64-bit versions

System requirements 1-gigahertz (GHz) 32-bit (x86) processor or 64-bit (x64) processor, 512 MB of RAM 1-GHz 64-bit (x64) processor, 1 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended)

Memory access A 32-bit version of Windows Vista can access up to 4 GB of RAM. A 64-bit version of Windows Vista can access from 1 GB of RAM to more than 128 GB of RAM.

Memory access per edition All 32-bit versions of Windows Vista can access up to 4 GB of RAM.
Windows Vista Home Basic – 8 GB of RAM
Windows Vista Home Premium – 16 GB of RAM
Windows Vista Business – 128 GB of RAM or more
Windows Vista Enterprise – 128 GB of RAM or more
Windows Vista Ultimate – 128 GB of RAM or more

DEP 32-bit versions of Windows Vista use a software-based version of DEP. 64-bit versions of Windows Vista support hardware-backed DEP.

Kernel Patch Protection (PatchGuard) This feature is not available in 32-bit versions of Windows Vista. This feature is available in 64-bit versions of Windows Vista. Kernel Patch Protection helps prevent a malicious program from updating the Windows Vista kernel. This feature works by helping to prevent a kernel-mode driver from extending or replacing other kernel services. Also, this feature helps prevent third-party programs from updating (patching) any part of the kernel.

Driver signing Unsigned drivers may be used with 32-bit versions of Windows Vista. 64-bit versions of Windows Vista require that all device drivers be digitally signed by the developer.

32-bit driver support 32-bit versions of Windows Vista support 32-bit drivers that are designed for Windows Vista. 64-bit versions of Windows Vista do not support 32-bit device drivers.

16-bit program support 32-bit versions of Windows Vista support 16-bit programs, in part. 64-bit versions of Windows Vista do not support 16-bit programs. If you value the benefits and advantages of switching and embracing 64-bit Windows Vista, here’s a few considerations to ponder before making the move to install x64 Windows Vista:

• 64-bit device drivers may not be available for one or more devices in the computer.
• Device drivers must be digitally signed.
• 32-bit device drivers are not supported.
• 32-bit programs may not be fully compatible with a 64-bit operating system.
• It may be difficult to locate programs that are written specifically for a 64-bit operating system.
• Not all hardware devices may be compatible with a 64-bit version of Windows Vista.

I personally have not had any problems running 32 bit programs running on Windows 7 x64. Less than 5% to be honest.

X64 operating systems are the future and here now. Some people say that 128 bit may be just around the corner. Who knows?

Nearly everybody is getting the x64 Windows 7 installed or installing it because the vast majority of hardware out there will support it.

Is there some type of "litmus" test that I can do, to determine how well 64 bit will work on my Toshiba Sattelite, with my existing software, before I install it? I am upgrading from vista on a AMD Turion X2 64 based system. I'll be using Windows 7 Home premium, and would like to avoid a disaster.

thanks

J.

Hi jbylake and welcome

You could try the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor > http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

Thanks, Veedaz. It says I can do a custom install, and then re-install all of my software. However, I guess there is no way of knowing if your 32 bit software will run under 64 bit Win7. One other quick question, the Upgrade Advisor also said that Mail, will not be supported by Win7. I know that I can download all sorts of mail programs off the 'net, but I would like to keep WinMail, due to the fact that I have a lot of emails that I need to save. Second, the main reason I wanted to upgrade to 64 bit was to break the 4 gig memory barrier. But I don't want to do it at the expense of losing functionability of my software. To sum up, is that the only way to find out? Install 64 bit, then take a deep breath and hope your software works?

Thanks again for the friendly help.

J.

Virtually all of your 32 bit software will work. Very few are not compatible. Windows 7 x64 installs a folder called: Programs Folder (x86)

For email, just download MS new program: Windows Live Mail

From MS: