Still wondering about 64 Bit Windows? Windows XP Pro 64 Bit comes of age!
Written: Aug 10 '06 (Updated Apr 05 '07)
Product Rating:
Pros: Extremely familiar user interface (XP Professional), requires less updates, 64 Bit speed
Cons: Older hardware might not have 64 Bit drivers
The Bottom Line: Don't hold back from experiencing 64 Bit Windows any longer. Most new hardware has the correct drivers, making your journey with Windows XP 64 Bit a positive one.
alexanderaku's Full Review: Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Full...
Just as Windows XP 32 bit proceeded, Windows XP 64 Bit did so in a like manner. I remember the early days of XP Professional just after it followed Windows ME and 2000. No drivers to amount to much at first, but then they began to trickle in. After a year those drivers were coming out in force, they and software from vendors weren't that reliable all the time, but that slowly progressed to eventually make XP one of the greatest OS to be owned. It still would be if it weren't for hackers and virus builders - a subculture of criminals intent on theft and causing harm. Windows 32 Bit eventually just succumbed to bloat from fighting all those attacks.
Enter, the 64 Bit solution to combat them. A new more powerful system that leaves fewer openings to this subculture of criminal attackers. Now that a new more secure OS had evolved, it was time for software and hardware vendors to react. They started slowly as before with 32 Bit XP, but have now opened the faucets releasing a flood of new drivers and software for this viable OS solution. Hardware vendors have responded as well, offering just about anything the consumer could want. One exception has been wireless cards compatible with 64 Bit, but now I see that obstacle has even been breached. My integrated wireless card in the ASUS M2N32-SLI melds perfectly with Windows XP Professional 64 Bit.
Recently, I've built two computers - well, one was done last year. The two main things they both share are 64 Bit drivers and software with AMD Athlon 64 Bit processors at 2.4 GHz. Last year's computer (Athlon 64 X2 4400+) had a few minor problems with 64 bit Windows XP due to some of its hardware and I still don't have a wireless PCI card installed there, but most of that installed hardware has seen new drivers that cured all of those glitches and the system was never unusable or slow.
One of the key features of Windows XP Pro 64 Bit is the use of two folders for 32 and 64 bit drivers. The reason for this is to allow some compatibility of 32 Bit programs and hardware within the Windows 64 Bit OS. Not all 32 Bit programs are allowed, nor will all run well with the 64 Bit environment choices - but enough of them will now to make your 64 Bit experience an enjoyable one. The compatibility mode settings offer 5 choices with everything
from Windows 95, 98/ME, 2000, NT 4, to XP.
Enter Longhorn, code name VISTA now. Vista makes use of those same two 32 and 64 Bit folders XP 64 Bit has. However, the drivers are different for VISTA and XP 64 Bit. With the number of OS now offered by Microsoft, one might think this will be to the detriment of Windows XP 64 Bit. Not so, look back at Windows 2000 and Windows XP 32 Bit. Did XP spell disaster for Windows 2000? No, in fact XP was built to accept programs designed for both and others. We still find many users with Windows 2000 their preferred OS. Using the Program Compatibility Wizard in Windows, users were offered the choice of what they needed for individual programs to run. XP 64 offers this same function.
VISTA, on the other hand, comes in 32 and 64 Bit versions with multiples of levels. The user interface can be seen to have its roots from XP and 2000, but the Desktop and Start layout has an almost totally different look with new names for some programs. Still, it really isn't so different in function - so don't sit back waiting for the first consumer ready issue.
What makes XP 64 Bit so different from previous issues of XP:
With its roots deep in 2003 Server, XP Pro 64 Bit has a stable platform that is well known for its ability. Unlike Server 2003, XP Pro 64 Bit adds the features of XP Pro 32 Bit that users are so accustomed to. While 2003 Server looked like a stripped down XP clone, it provided increased stability and added the ability to prevent any incompatible software from creating instability within it - all on its own. The controls and stability was such that Server 2003 is still around in a new updated version called Server 2003 R2.
From these roots, Windows XP Pro X64 reflects this same stability. However, the added features of XP return users to the familiar platform everyone enjoyed in XP Pro 32 Bit. While entertainment and enhanced user control has been addressed, the issue of stability has not been compromised in the balance. Due to this, home users and professionals alike can enjoy the 64 Bit platform on Desktops and Workstations just as they did Windows XP Pro 32 Bit.
Since its introduction, I've heard there have only been two viruses found that could affect it - and I believe one was purposely designed in an effort to find weaknesses that would require modification to the the new OS system. The other just works from the 32 Bit folder beside the 64 Bit folder, if it gains a foothold. That just rules by comparison to Windows XP 32 Bit with its inordinate amount of security fixes and core repairs. This also means updating XP 64 Bit is a quick process after the initial install. Much of what this version sees from the Microsoft Updates Site, after the initial small update, is only a few new drivers now and then.
If you have installed and updated Windows XP Pro 32 Bit lately, you will quickly see the difference in updating Windows XP Pro X64 from the Microsoft updates site. At this point, there are only 41 priority updates to XP 64 Bit along with whatever software updates that may also be available for your specific system.
Until you have experienced gaming at 64 Bit, you really don't notice the differences other than faster and more efficient loading of the Windows Taskbar. With XP 64 Bit, the power to run amounts of memory exceeding 4 Gb. is evident when it is added. Your viewing and computing experience is instantly improved over 32 Bit in a number of applications.
Full support is provided for X2 processors and the 64 Bit protection embedded in these processors.
Every new motherboard chipset (North and South bridge) has support provided for 64 Bit XP.
What you need to know before switching to Windows XP Pro 64 Bit:
First you need a system using a 64 Bit processor. You should then check all your hardware for updated 64 Bit drivers from the manufacturers. Download them to a disk if possible as it will save you much time during an install. If you have two optical drives, you can load both the Windows install disk and the drivers disk. The Windows installer will find them.
If all your hardware doesn't have updated drivers, don't fret. The 32 Bit drivers may work just fine or Microsoft may have provided 64 Bit compatible drivers that will run it. That's what the Evaluation Version is for - finding out.
Microsoft still offers a 180 day evaluation version of Windows XP Professional 64 Bit. This will allow you to see how well your existing hardware will run in the OS environment. Once expired, the purchased version is required and has to be installed using the disk provided in the purchase.
The evaluation copy is about a 45 minute download at normal DSL download speeds of 3 Mbps. The install program and information burns easily to a CD. You can also purchase it for basically the amount of delivery from Microsoft. It installs at about the same speed as Windows XP Professional 32 Bit and looks just like it before and after the install.
For Intel X64 or AMD X64 chipsets?
Forget any concerns of this here and now. While it's true the earliest version (beta) was designed in collaboration with AMD and was not for Intel processors, The finished version available here has NO problem with Intel 64 or AMD 64 Bit processors. That early version was known simply as Windows 64 Bit, and you can rest assured you won't be seeing it around for sale.
More of my personal observations:
Having used both 64 and 32 Bit versions, I prefer this 64 Bit version. It won't run with 32 Bit processors, but my new systems are all 64 Bit. While 32 Bit XP will run well on 64 Bit systems, I just don't care for it well enough to use it again on these newer systems. With 64 Bit clearly the better solution, with better virus protection, faster performance, improved memory support, less updating requirements, and now rapidly growing support among manufacturers, it just makes good sense to use it.
I'm still using my older Logitech wireless keyboards and mice with my 64 Bit OS - and while some functions won't work, most do with Microsofts supplied drivers. Enough in fact, it has never presented any problem. Newer offerings from Logitech have 64 bit software and drivers. I've also noted nVidia and ATI based video cards offer not only XP 64 Bit drivers, but new VISTA drivers. So, if you're building a new system, the right hardware is available. Even if you only want to upgrade an older 64 Bit system, the time is right for the move. Last years computer - well, it just plain rocks with 64 Bit XP Professional with zero problems.
Installing XP Pro 64 Bit was about the same on both my computers. Both run at 2.4 GHz., but one is single core and the older one dual core. The dual core has a clear advantage over any single core processor of the same GHz. due to its ability to perform more simultaneous operations. Installing OS can have areas where a Dual Core will speed the operation but, as I recall, the install of XP Pro 64 Bit and 32 Bit took roughly about the same time to complete on both machines - under or about 20 minutes. The 64 Bit just didn't need or later require all the tons of XP updates required for 32 Bit.
New games - I have a Far Cry Edition (supposedly installs either in 32 or 64 Bit XP versions depending on the OS) that plain and simple installed, but refused to run under the 32 Bit OS. With 64 Bit installed, it installed and ran flawlessly. I also noticed other new games (supposedly 32 Bit - I know they are as I checked their files) that would not run on any of the systems with the 32 Bit OS, even though they met all requirements. They ran just fine on my 64 Bit OS computers. Almost seems like the game manufacturers might be exhibiting some snobbery toward older 32 Bit OS.
Virus scanners - there aren't a lot out yet for 64 Bit, but they are available. Then again - does anyone know of a virus infection to a 64 Bit system yet? There is the one that targets the 32 Bit system within 64 Bit. At any rate - Avast offers a free program that works with 64 Bit and there are others for 64 Bit Enterprise. The free Avast has offered no problems, but it does run slow. Still, it doesn't affect my XP 64 Bit OS.
Maybe now is the time for everyone else to jump on Windows XP Professional 64 Bit. I can promise you VISTA isn't ready yet and it will present some new hardware changes as it exists. Microsoft doesn't talk about this. One is the use of a new Internet Protocol that may present some problems for users and ISPs. While it allows more RAM, VISTA Ultimate also requires it - large amounts of it for smooth operation. It does add compatibility for a new OS - the one in the title here.
Some may be wondering why I bought a three pack and not a single copy. With two rather sophisticated computers already making use of the Evaluation version Microsoft provides free, the performance was such my decision was to load it to both permanently. As I have yet a third new computer in mind, I'll still have a copy for it at a much lower price than what I could have purchased three individual licensed copies for. One or multiple copies, it's still the same OS no matter how it comes packaged.
Would I purchase this OS again for another new system? Of Course!
***Update Feb. 15, 2007***
With this OS installed in dual boot with Vista Ultimate x64, a change from a 2.4 GHz. single core 64 bit AM2 processor to the AMD Athlon64 X2 5200 required no re-activation - although Vista immediately gave a three day warning for this. The new processor only made the smooth running Windows XP Pro x64 even faster and stronger. Get your copy with an upgrade while they last - just use XP Pro x64 for best performance on a workstation, or home office computer, until more software and drivers come out for Vista.
***Update March 5, 2007***
Windows XP Professional x64 users will now find added drivers available with additional security in the form of Microsoft's SP2 for XP Professional x64. I installed it, but didn't need it as my drivers and security were already working properly. None-the-less, this SP2 release may be of help to many others. My XP x64 Operating Systems still run flawlessly, without any problems, and very quickly using 2.4 to 2.6 GHz. AMD processors. Softwares continue to run there more easily than on my Vista Ultimate x64 systems - XP x64 doesn't require signed drivers although its server background will prevent most anything that could crash it from running.
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is designed to meet the demands of customers who require large amounts of memory and floating point performance in...More at eBay
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