Windows Vista

Hi Guys! Maybe it's not about PC games, but it does about PC, and I couldn't find any better forum. Recently I installed Windows Vista on my computer, and because it's a new thing, I have questions:

A) I have 64 Bit Windows, and I noticed that except the regular Program Files folder I have a new folder, Program Files (x86). My question is if I will install a software (or a game) in the (x86) folder, my windows will run it like it was a 32 bit OS. Or in other words, if a 32 bit-based program will operate if it placed in the (x86) folder. And if I am right, does windows knows where to place the program and to extinguish between 32 bit programs and 64 bit. If it's a poor idea of mine, what is it does?

B) My previous OS was XP. When I had Windows XP, I could see my computers in my home network. However, now I cant. Here is what I do see:

My computer has 64 Bit Windows Vista and the others computers on my network have 32 Bit Windows XP. Why Cant I see them?

Thanks.

Windows knows which programs are 32-bit and which are 64-bit, however unless you plan on having more than 4gb of memory in your system, using the 64-bit version of Windows Vista is pointless, its performance will actually be *slower* than the 32-bit version, and you will face far more driver compatibility issues.

The existance of 64-bit versions of XP and Vista is because at the high-end in workstations and business computers, limitations were being reached on 32-bit systems, limitations we won't see for years on home PCs. Your processors support 64-bit code now simply because the 64-bit processor (or 32-bit processor with 64-bit extensions, which is what all home 64-bit processors really are) needed to be there before software could be created.




As far as not seeing the Vista computer on your network... it looks like it might be hiding them... in fact it has a thing that says "click here to change", though to be honest I'm not sure if the Windows network on Vista machines sees XP computers or not.
subrosian

Thanks for saying that 64 Bit Windows Vista will be pointless for me... And what tou are saying about the network does not sounds for me... If you had windows XP you could create a network with previous versions...

I have Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit on a machine in my network, a Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit machine, and 3 Windows XP 32-bit machines.

They can all see one another on the network and I have a "share" folder created on each machine. Absolutely you should be able to configure so that you can see your other machines! Should not be a problem.

I don't remember exactly the steps I went through in setting everything up, but file sharing probably needs to be turned on (it definitely does if you plan on sharing files & folders), click on the yellow pop-up that you see where it says "Click to change..." and turn file sharing on.

How do you figure 64-bit vista is slower?  Please enlighten the rest of us.  Most games that are optimized for 64-bit claimed performance increases of around 20%. 

Also the driver issue is almost a no story now.  You know eventually they will get the drivers worked out right?  I have working drivers for all of my current hardware.

 Original Poster:

Having the extra memory is very helpful to me, allows me to run applications in the background while gaming.  I can alt-tab answer and email, alt-tab back in.  I was mad my motherboard maxed out at 4gig (it's older).

In regards to your network issue make sure all of your machines are on the same subnet.  I had this problem when my ISP handed out different subnets to each machine in my network, they couldnt see each other.  The way I fixed it was by purchasing a router instead of just a hub, it handed out internal IP's and basically performed proxy for me.  That way I only got one IP Address from my ISP and everything was on the same subnet.

I run Vista Ultimate 64-bit, have a 32-bit Ultimate and an XP on my home network and they can all see each other just fine.

I bought the D-Link router and it required very little setup on my part, basically just plugged it in.

Hi Guys! Maybe it's not about PC games, but it does about PC, and I couldn't find any better forum. Recently I installed Windows Vista on my computer, and because it's a new thing, I have questions:

 

A) I have 64 Bit Windows, and I noticed that except the regular Program Files folder I have a new folder, Program Files (x86). My question is if I will install a software (or a game) in the (x86) folder, my windows will run it like it was a 32 bit OS. Or in other words, if a 32 bit-based program will operate if it placed in the (x86) folder. And if I am right, does windows knows where to place the program and to extinguish between 32 bit programs and 64 bit. If it's a poor idea of mine, what is it does?

B) My previous OS was XP. When I had Windows XP, I could see my computers in my home network. However, now I cant. Here is what I do see:

My computer has 64 Bit Windows Vista and the others computers on my network have 32 Bit Windows XP. Why Cant I see them?

Thanks.

--SharkTooth--

You should install the 32 bit version. The 64bit isn't really necessary for home especially if you are not using 4 gigs of memory. No one really needs 4 gig of memory unless you are doing something out of the norm. Most applications are 32bit so it's better to run them native than emulated. The key works for both versions so if ever 64 bit applications become popular you can always upgrade.

Windows will know where to place the program but it really makes no difference where you install them. Go to network settings to change the network options. Help basically has all the information you will ever need. Try it...

Check what workgroup your computers are in.

XP puts them in MSHome by default. Vista puts them in WORKGROUP.

Make them the same and you should be sorted.

How do you figure 64-bit vista is slower?  Please enlighten the rest of us.  Most games that are optimized for 64-bit claimed performance increases of around 20%.tkemory

Well, that's kind of the problem, there aren't enough games optimized for 64-bit (S.T.A.L.K.E.R. for example)....yet.

Interesting how so many threads get turned into "versus" matches, just a good thing this one isn't Vista versus XP :P sheeesh

Even so, I'd never recommend someone get the 32-bit version over 64-bit when there is a choice (OS isn't preloaded, etc). Why anyone would spend so much money on a new OS and simply move from one flavor of 32-bit to another flavor of 32-bit today is beyond me (especially with newer hardware). The machine I have running Vista Ultimate x64 has been performing great, no compatibility issues, no driver issues, etc.

Anyway, good tips guys, I forgot to mention checking the workgroup

Here is my computer specifications:

Should I use the 64 bits version?

You have 1 gig of ram and running 64 bit? That's not a good move so install the 32 bit version instead. it's better to have 2 gigs though.Deihmos

You mean two giga for the 64 bit version or for the Windows Vista Ultimate 32 bit version? And what the recommended giga amount for the 64 bit OS? And what will it do if I will keep the 64 bit version with my current settings (I espcially interested in games).