How do I go about getting Vista 64-bit? And is it unstable still?

Hello? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

There is, or never was any instability issues with Vista, 32 or 64 bit as long as all your hardware is Vista compatible. Any rumors you may have heard is mostly baloney.

To get a 64 bit DVD for your version of Windows for about $10, go here.
I did this when I bought Home Premium, took about a week to get it.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvi [...] fault.mspx

have your product key ready.

You'll also need to supply the following information:
Your name
Your shipping address
Credit card information
Card type
Card number
Expiration date
Billing address
Media choice
Your e-mail address**

you pay for the cost of media and shipping and handling.

Windows Vista Alternate Media

Congratulations on upgrading to Windows Vista. The retail package product ships on DVD with 32-bit edition software, but two forms of alternate media are available to help meet your specific requirements:

32-bit CD
If your system features a CD drive but no DVD drive, you can order Windows Vista on CD-ROM. The installation files span multiple discs, so unattended installations are not possible.

64-bit DVD
If your system features a 64-bit processor, you can take advantage of its advanced design by ordering 64-bit software media. You'll get the same interface, features, and functions, but you'll get them in an operating system that takes advantage of access to vastly more memory. All installation files are on a single disc. Please note that 64-bit media is included in the box with the purchase of Windows Vista Ultimate.

The 64-bit version of Windows Vista is not for everyone. Please confirm that your system, applications, and devices are compatible with a 64-bit edition of Windows Vista before installing. Learn more about the 64-bit editions of Windows Vista.

You can order either of these alternate media for a minimal fee, including shipping and handling. To order, you'll need to supply the 25-character product key that came with your purchase.* You'll find the product key on a yellow sticker on the back of your DVD media holder.

The only stability issues i have ever heard of are mrsbytch's constant unstable online persona.

in all seriousness, vista x64 is very stable, and compatible with a lot of hardware, and software.

I have a Conroe e6600. I built my PC specifically to take Vista. Is there anything else I need to worry about? This was my first ever computer I built and I really might have messed up somewhere.

The only "old" things I run are games from the early 2000s and Age of Empires.

oh, and could I get that upgrade link again? It doesnt work.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvi [...] fault.mspx
Sorry, try this one.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvi [...] fault.mspx


EDIT: dang, I'm slow.

I'm actually having less trouble under Vista 64 than I was under 32 -- The Witcher no longer crashes every hour or so for example. Go figure.

I just wanna add that Vista 64-bit is stable as a rock. I've used it since february 2007, and never had a crash. All of my games (except DOS ones LOL) works fines until now, so all is good... to me at least

The website offers Windows Vista SP1 64-bit. But, I bought Vista months ago, pre SP1. Will it work anyway?

Exactly, im so over the BS with the bugs and whatever.

Personally, i cant wait for the manufacturers to stop making drivers and software for xp, and force everyone to buy new, when there old POS dies they get forced to vista, come on XP is over 6 years old now people! Thats OBSOLETE!!!!! Would you use a 6 year old PC? (Pentium 4/Athlon XP, 512mb memory, GeForce4/ATi 8500) - there so dammed slow!

Just remember 1 thing. The offer isn' good for OEM copies of Vista. Just upgrade copies.

My setup : vista ultimate 64x | E8400@3.6 | 4Gb ocz ram | 9800GTX+

I have been trying to run a couple of my games and they load and everything seems to work fine. ...

....wait did I said fine? Approximately after a 30min - 1hour of gameplay the game freezes following-up with a sound loop and the only way to restore system is with a cold reboot.

I'm pretty sure it's the all famous nvlddmkm has stopped responding because it read in the bsod screen. Also when I start computer again it gives me info that graphic driver was the cause for it.

Anyway this past weekend I have been trying a shitload of nvidia Forceware drivers:
177.66
177.40
177.39
175.19
181.00
181.22
178.24
182.46

Keep in mind I don't update on top of the old one.
Step 1 : remove both nvidia driver and physx, if there is one
Step 2 : boot up in safe-mode
Step 3 : use driversweeper and clean everything, physx,nvidia display drivers
Step 4 : reboot
Step 5 : disable any antivirus and install the new drivers.

To name a few games that lock-up:
Call of duty: world at war
Flatout:ultimate challenge
Call of duty 4 : modern warfare
GTA IV
Burnout paradise
Fallout 3
...the list goes on.

Never seem to lock-up:
Dead Space
Tomb Raider : underworld
Silent hill : homecoming

users with vista ultimate 64 + nVIDIA graphic card; Are you familiar with this issue ?

Beside this issue with nvidia drivers the system has been pretty flawless.

( no allowed to edit previous post )

i'm using abit p5k pro with P35 chipset

also,

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938194

This update resolves the following issues:
# The computer stops responding, and you receive a "Display driver stopped responding and has recovered" error message. You can restart the computer only by pressing the computer's power button.
# The computer stops responding or restarts unexpectedly when you play video games or perform desktop operations.

apache_lives: yea that could be it be some games work 100% also i could play a little with timings and volts for the ram - i will fix this in the end!

Had this OC going for nearly a year - yea it's stable 24/7

Let's go hijack someone else's thread thats a year old and hope for many informed responses.

You need help my friend. One, I am running that exact system, and, properly tweaked, it runs faster then
a lot of these new discount computers with Vista on them. Why? because Vista waists tons and tons of system resources. Windows 7 uses a quarter less resources and has more features. XP uses less then half the resources of Vista, and, for most personal users, very few progerams take advantage of 64 bit and nothing requires 6 GB RAM. XP runs a billion times faster on the newest hardware. I also have a core i7, GTX280, and 6GB DDR3 RAM. Tripple booted with Windows 7 64bit, Windows XP, and Ubuntu Linux 64bit. Thats in order from slowest to fastest in everything I do on the computer. So why use microsoft at all.

Sorry, went off on more of a tangent then meant to. Windows 7 64bit is extreemly stable, even with 32bit XP drivers. Don't waist your time or money on a copy of Vista right now. If you want a 64bit OS. Install windows 7 64bit RC from Microsoft's web site, and then buy the full release when it comes out in October.

I have Nvidia and Vista 64 , I have no lock ups. Whenever you install a new card or anything witht the mobo , always reset your overclock to stock. It prevents allot of problems. the system will have to be rebalacned anyway.