64 bit question

[jediryan123]

Hi everybody I have a question about 64 bit computing I was thinking about putting 64 bit windows 7 RC on my new computer with a core i7 920. But I found out that a wireless dongle I have can't be used on a 64 bit system. so my question is... If I install the 32bit RC on the 64bit processor will the 32 bit drivers work or is there some sort of compatability mode for 32 bit drivers?? Thanks

 

[badge]

64 bit capable processors have worked on 32 bit OS's since AMD 64 days. Example: Windows XP/Q6600, etc.

Here's a Windows 7 64 RC capable wireless dongle.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127075

 

[gagaga]

Hi everybody I have a question about 64 bit computing I was thinking about putting 64 bit windows 7 RC on my new computer with a core i7 920. But I found out that a wireless dongle I have can't be used on a 64 bit system. so my question is... If I install the 32bit RC on the 64bit processor will the 32 bit drivers work or is there some sort of compatability mode for 32 bit drivers?? Thanks

Where did you check? Even if the brand you bought isn't listed, it may be that Microsoft support it in Win 7 x64 because it uses the same chipset as something else from another brand.

To answer your other question - it's probably easier to think of the current Intel / AMD chips as 32bit chips with 64bit extensions rather than the other way around ... this will of course change over time (and for the Core i7 may already be true).

Either way, i'd still take the hit for a new dongle if your current one doesn't work - 4GB is pretty much baseline now (6gb for i7) and my guess is after the first few ranges of i5 appear later in the year, there will be shift towards 8gb/12gb early next ... then goodbye 32bit Windows.

 

[505090]

no 32bit drivers will not work in a 64bit OS, the hardware has been 64 bit for years now. You can however use vista drivers in win7.
Odds are pretty good that there will be a driver for your wireless built in to win7

 

[geofelt]

Download and run the windows-7 update advisor program to check for compatibility issues:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1B544E90-7659-4BD9-9E51-2497C146AF15&displaylang=en


If you are looking at an i7 system, you will want a 64 bit OS to use the typical 6gb of ram.

 

[badge]

no 32bit drivers will not work in a 64bit OS, the hardware has been 64 bit for years now. You can however use vista drivers in win7.
Odds are pretty good that there will be a driver for your wireless built in to win7

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WOW64

WoW64 (Windows-on-Windows 64-bit) is a subsystem of the Windows operating system that is capable of running 32-bit applications and is included on all 64-bit versions of Windows — including Windows 2000 Limited Edition, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, IA-64 and x64 versions of Windows Server 2003, 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, as well as 64 bit editions of Windows 7. WoW64 is designed to take care of all the differences between 32-bit Windows and 64-bit Windows, particularly involving structural changes to Windows itself.

 

[will_chellam]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WOW64

WoW64 (Windows-on-Windows 64-bit) is a subsystem of the Windows operating system that is capable of running 32-bit applications and is included on all 64-bit versions of Windows — including Windows 2000 Limited Edition, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, IA-64 and x64 versions of Windows Server 2003, 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, as well as 64 bit editions of Windows 7. WoW64 is designed to take care of all the differences between 32-bit Windows and 64-bit Windows, particularly involving structural changes to Windows itself.

There is a difference however between running 32 bit *applications* AND 32 bit *drivers* on a 64 bit operating system, yes 32 bit apps will run, there arent that many dedicated 64bit mainstream apps out there, but I wouldnt rely on 32 bit drivers to work - try 64bit vista ones or like someone said a generic chipset driver

 

[Scotteq]

Be advised - 32 bit drivers will not work.

 

[505090]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WOW64

WoW64 (Windows-on-Windows 64-bit) is a subsystem of the Windows operating system that is capable of running 32-bit applications and is included on all 64-bit versions of Windows — including Windows 2000 Limited Edition, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, IA-64 and x64 versions of Windows Server 2003, 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, as well as 64 bit editions of Windows 7. WoW64 is designed to take care of all the differences between 32-bit Windows and 64-bit Windows, particularly involving structural changes to Windows itself.

yes but I believe that only applies to programs, not drivers

 

[badge]

This is not the thread where the OP is asking if his 64 bit processor will run on a 32 bit OS? It's only the dongle thread. Should have known.

 

[badge]

yes but I believe that only applies to programs, not drivers

Right. I was thinking this was the thread where OP asked if a 32 bit OS would work with a 64 bit capable processor. Hard to remember wheich thread is which sometimes.