Vostro 3700 and Win7 32 vs 64 bit

[hamilton]

Looking at the Dell web site for the Vostro 3700,
I see that Win7 32 or 64 bit can be selected.

Will all my 32-bit software run better/easier on the 32-bit system ?
( CAD, compilers, IDEs for embedded systems)

Will my old drivers run better on the 32-bit system ?

Thanks

hamilton

 

[Tim Slattery]

Looking at the Dell web site for the Vostro 3700,
I see that Win7 32 or 64 bit can be selected.

Will all my 32-bit software run better/easier on the 32-bit system ?
( CAD, compilers, IDEs for embedded systems)

A 64-bit system will be able to use more than 4GB of RAM, therefore it
will be able to keep more programs (64- or 32- bit) in memory
simultaneously. If you run many memory-intensive programs
concurrently, that could be a large help to you.

Will my old drivers run better on the 32-bit system ?

You'll need 64-bit drivers for a 64-bit OS. 32-bit drivers won't work.

 

[Dave]

A 64-bit system will be able to use more than 4GB of RAM, therefore it
will be able to keep more programs (64- or 32- bit) in memory
simultaneously. If you run many memory-intensive programs
concurrently, that could be a large help to you.


You'll need 64-bit drivers for a 64-bit OS. 32-bit drivers won't work.

I think I remember a couple discussions on this issue, not positive if this
is correct or not, but there is a work-a-round for the 32 bit driver on a
64 bit OS issue. If you search the group you should be able to find those
posts.
HTH,
Dave

 

[DL]

Since your old hardware may well need win7 drivers, 32 or 64bit 'old
drivers' may not come into it

 

[hamilton]

Since your old hardware may well need win7 drivers, 32 or 64bit 'old
drivers' may not come into it

Hmm, this is what I was worried about. (sort of).

I take it that M$ needs signed drivers to be able to install them.
I also take it, M$ is not in a hurry to help those with these kind of
driver problems.

Upgrading $10K for a new software package for W7 that works fine on XP,
kind of fails the useful test.

thanks

hamilton

 

[MJMIII]

Hmm, this is what I was worried about. (sort of).

I take it that M$ needs signed drivers to be able to install them.

No, but if you bypass the warning you'll be installing them at your own
risk.

I also take it, M$ is not in a hurry to help those with these kind of
driver problems.

Why does everyone assume Microsoft is responsible for every piece of
hardware made on the planet? Microsoft did leave an out of sorts. You
can right click the driver package and select XP mode to install. Doesn't
always work, though. Now I think I'll head over to GM to pick up parts for
my Chrysler. What???? They're both cars...

Upgrading $10K for a new software package for W7 that works fine on XP,
kind of fails the useful test.

Time to move into the 21st Century.

thanks

All sarcasm aside, the hardware manufacturer is responsible for creating
drivers for new operating systems. If they don't it means they want you to
purchase new hardware from them.

 

[bb]

hardware made on the planet? Microsoft did leave an out of sorts. You
can right click the driver package and select XP mode to install.

"XP Mode" is only free on W7 Pro, Enterprise and Ultimate. And to be
precise, XP Mode is a free version of XP SP3 that runs under MS virtual PC.

(On home premium, one can install the free MS Virtual PC and then install a
random copy of XP that you have the rights to install. The XP mode
download just makes it easier.)

XP Mode is basically a kludge, but one that works pretty good. With it I
was able to get a very old 16-bit 'mission critical' application to run that
would not under any combination of compatibility flags on this W7 64-bit
Enterprise version. XP Mode was also able to get my 32-bit scanner driver
to work on my no-longer-supported Epson scanner.

That said, I don't think that one feature is worth W7 Pro for the home
user - nor any of the other features of Pro.

-bb

 

[hamilton]

"XP Mode" is only free on W7 Pro, Enterprise and Ultimate. And to be
precise, XP Mode is a free version of XP SP3 that runs under MS virtual PC.

Does this work better under W7-32bit or W7-64-bit ?

My CAD software works very well under XP, I am concerned about W7.

The Dell Vostro 3700 has W7-32 and W7-63 as options.

Which will be better for me ?

Thanks

hamilton

 

[Dominique]

Does this work better under W7-32bit or W7-64-bit ?

My CAD software works very well under XP, I am concerned about W7.

The Dell Vostro 3700 has W7-32 and W7-63 as options.

Which will be better for me ?

Thanks

hamilton

What is your CAD software?

My experience with softwares (music production) is : a "dot" update is
free (8.0 to 8.5), I pay much less for an upgrade (8.0 to 9.0) than a new
user and when 64 bits version are released I can get them for free if
it's at the same version level that I currently have (8.0-32 bits to 8.5-
64bits). FWIW when 64 bits version are released, I can get both 32 and 64
bits withaout paying more.

Of course that policy might vary from one company to another but so far,
for me, it's been consistent with 3 music software companies and a few
other utilities software companies.

My point is that it shouldn't cost you $10k to get your $10k worth of
software to run under Win7-64bits, you should contact the companies that
makes your softwares to know their policy, and as mention by others, you
can run XP mode with Win7 Pro or higher.

HTH

 

[hamilton]

What is your CAD software?

My experience with softwares (music production) is : a "dot" update is
free (8.0 to 8.5), I pay much less for an upgrade (8.0 to 9.0) than a new
user and when 64 bits version are released I can get them for free if
it's at the same version level that I currently have (8.0-32 bits to 8.5-
64bits). FWIW when 64 bits version are released, I can get both 32 and 64
bits withaout paying more.

Of course that policy might vary from one company to another but so far,
for me, it's been consistent with 3 music software companies and a few
other utilities software companies.

My point is that it shouldn't cost you $10k to get your $10k worth of
software to run under Win7-64bits, you should contact the companies that
makes your softwares to know their policy, and as mention by others, you
can run XP mode with Win7 Pro or higher.

HTH

I have not kept up to date on Altium.

The only way to get their 64-bit version is to pay full price.

They had changed their pricing from Ale-cart to full package only.

This is why I have a problem with an OS subverting my software.

hamilton

 

[undisclosed]

I thought that perhaps some information on Windows XP Mode might help i
your conversation. For programs that will not run in Windows 7 ther
is the Windows XP Mode feature. It opens apps in a window that look
like Windows XP, with the performance speed of Windows 7 Pro. There's
video demo at 'bit.ly/Win7ProXPMode' (http://bit.ly/Win7ProXPMode) an
more detailed info at 'bit.ly/WinXPMode' (http://bit.ly/WinXPMode)

 

[hamilton]

I thought that perhaps some information on Windows XP Mode might help in
your conversation. For programs that will not run in Windows 7 there
is the Windows XP Mode feature. It opens apps in a window that looks
like Windows XP, with the performance speed of Windows 7 Pro. There's a
video demo at 'bit.ly/Win7ProXPMode' (http://bit.ly/Win7ProXPMode) and
more detailed info at 'bit.ly/WinXPMode' (http://bit.ly/WinXPMode).

My concern is the USB drivers that my emulators/programmers use.

I have invested lots of money in development tools for embedded use.

This is not just software, its hardware dongles that have drivers.

thanks

hamilton

 

[Peter Foldes]

It looks like XP because it is XP.

You just showed how little or nothing you know about it. Emulating XP is not XP as
you seem to be misunderstanding

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[Peter]

You just showed that you have no idea what you're talking about.

Emulating XP is

Read'em and weep...FOOL!!!

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

XP mode in W 7 requires you dl an activated copy of XP, so you are
actually running XP.
Got it!
Now shove you head back up your ignorant ass where it belongs.

You're wrong:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/support/faq.aspx

XP MODE is not the same as regular XP.

From the FAQs:

"It utilizes virtualization technology, such as Windows Virtual PC, to
provide a virtual Windows XP environment for Windows 7."

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

You're wrong:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/support/faq.aspx

XP MODE is not the same as regular XP.

From the FAQs:

"It utilizes virtualization technology, such as Windows Virtual PC, to
provide a virtual Windows XP environment for Windows 7."

Translation: It is precisely Windows XP, which happens to be running in a
virtual *machine*. That's how I did it on my Mac when I had one, and I do
it that way now under Windows 7. What is virtual is the machine, not the
OS.

In both cases I did it because I had/have software or drivers that weren't
available or didn't work under the parent OS but work fine under XP.

 

[hamilton]

My concern is the USB drivers that my emulators/programmers use.

I have invested lots of money in development tools for embedded use.

This is not just software, its hardware dongles that have drivers.

thanks

hamilton

OK, so XP does run under W7.

Back to my concern, please.

Will the drivers for my USB devices run properly under emulation under W7 ?

Thanks

hamilton

 

[Peter]

You are then running an actual copy of XP Pro in Windows 7.
Got it, fool!!!

Virtual copy. For all practical purposes, however, they are the same as
you state.

 

[Guest]

NO FRANK, IT IS A VIRTUAL MACHINE COPY OF WINDOWS XP SERVICE PACK 3, AND NOT
AN ACTUAL COPY OF XP, JUST FYI!

 

[CrackerJack]

Re: peter folds insists on making a fool out of himself...! <-- if you ask me he's in good company. The percentage of fools here is pretty high.