OT: Windows XP x64

maxseeley · 04-23-2006, 11:39 PM

I just upgraded my computer and decided to install Windows XP x64. Anybody have any experience with x64? I am having trouble getting Quickbooks to send email with a PDF attachment. According to Adobe, Acrobat 7.0 doesn't support x64 (even though x64 came out almost a year ago!!). Anybody work around this??

Troy · 04-24-2006, 08:14 AM

Max,

64 is not ready for prime time yet. At least not for the home user.

There are TONS of programs with compatibility issues, many of which aren't documented in any way. There are some programs written now that will benefit from 64, but you really need to set up a dual boot situation if you only have one computer. One partition running 64 with 64 compliant software on it and a second with everything else. Bigger Pain in the ***** than I think it's worth. Unless you have some 64 bit applications that you are trying to wring extra speed out of I'd strongly recommend you look at a different OS.

I've got Media Center Edition running on mine right now and LOVE it. Think media distribution device and Tivo all wrapped up into your PC. If you have an Xbox it's a no brainer as you can use that to "extend" it.

ReefinDick · 04-24-2006, 08:41 AM

It's going to be a LONG time before 64 bit is ready for the end user... The problem is that applications and more importantly, hardware drivers need to be written for it. The thing that is holding it up is that the end user isn't holloring for this quite yet. Until there is something that you can do with 64 bit that you can't now, the public doesn't really care.

We are business partners with Microsoft and the people I talk over there don't think it's going to take off with the home computing...

However on the server end, it's a big hit already...

deathmatch782 · 04-24-2006, 10:10 AM

I'm waiting for Windows Vista to come out before i upgrade to a windows version of 64 bit. With Vista, DirectX 10 will be coming out too.

For now i'm runnig Win XP Pro on a dual boot with Linux.

PikachuSalad · 04-24-2006, 10:20 AM

maxseeley:

I agree with the comments above about x64 not being ready yet...so why buy a 64 bit processor, you might ask? Well, for AMD processors at least, the built in 32 bit support is still an improvement over any of AMD's 32 bit processors - especially if you have one with a dual channel memory controller.

I'd say XP Pro is still the way to go for Windows though. Since you spent the money on x64, you might as well set up a dual boot, if for no other reason than to play around with it.

weabby · 04-24-2006, 10:43 AM

Have you looked at VMware? You can run multiple OS's at the same time. No need to always be rebooting.

PikachuSalad · 04-24-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weabby

Have you looked at VMware? You can run multiple OS's at the same time. No need to always be rebooting.

I'm pretty sure it's free now too...at least the version a home user would need.

maxseeley · 04-24-2006, 10:54 PM

I actually found a work around for the PDF issue:

http://www.amyuni.com/en/products/demo.php

I installed it as PDF printer and everything works.

I have not had any issues with software besides this. As far as drivers goes - most hardware that is current has x64 drivers. Plus, when Vista comes out you will need a 64 bit processor to run it. So I figured I might as well get a head start.