Vista 64-bit : what are the reasons against ...

[Mem]

Monitor drivers, ensure that you can find 64-Bit drivers for your monitor, if you want optimum control over your resolutions and refresh-rates. I'm slowly thinking to go back to Windows XP 32-Bit due to to the lack of CRT support on Windows Vista, mostly on 64-Bit. My CRT monitor, a LG Electronics Flatron F900B is not supported on Windows Vista 64-Bit, and is not correctly recognized on Vista 32-Bit (it has half the resolutions it supports on XP, and less than half the refresh-rates it can reach at the detected resolutions on Vista, compared to XP).

I had no problem with my LCD and Vista x64 native monitor drivers, however I've no experience with CRTs and Vista x64 ,also FYI it let me install my Belinea 10 20 35W inf file for my LCD monitor and its not even a Vista one.

Guess inf file is no biggie.

 

[Ryland]

I just installed Vista64 a few days ago and am trying to weed out what doesn't work for me. So far I have the Sonicwall VPN client, the USB cradle for my wifes Palm Tungsten T3 (can use Bluetooth instead), BeyondTV (Which I can replace with GBPVR).

 

[MarcVenice]

A question, if I don't plan on running more then 2GB of ram, is there ANY reason whatsoever to get vista64 ? The main reason I'm buying it at all is to review dx10 only games, like halo 2 and shadowrun for example, and well, I'm gonna need it in the future anyways for dx10, but I will be dualbooting with XP as well, so if vlc and whatever stuff doesn't work, it's not a problem.

 

[AdamK47]

I've been able to get 95% of my game collection to work. Link to thread. It's mostly the really old stuff that doesn't work.

 

[xine]

Hi Ryland,

I'like to know if you was able to installed your VPN Client software on your Windows Vista 64 computer if it's yes which version did you used exactly ? My collegue as try to installed the lasted one version of Global VPN client and each the the setup process has failed....

thanks a lot !

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: xine
Hi Ryland,

I'like to know if you was able to installed your VPN Client software on your Windows Vista 64 computer if it's yes which version did you used exactly ? My collegue as try to installed the lasted one version of Global VPN client and each the the setup process has failed....

thanks a lot !

This isn't the kind of answer you were looking for but Sonicwall sucks all around. Didn't even bother renewing our service contract this year. I'm thinking about replacing a TZ170 with an ASA5505.

In any case, try checking on the Sonicwall support forums. They were very late to the Vista game and it doesn't surprise me that they are having problems.

 

[Drexl]

The one thing I miss is that it won't support "hobbyist" drivers due to the driver signing requirement. Unless you have to replace something expensive, it's not a huge deal to have to buy a new printer or network card if needed. However, what can't really be replaced are devices that weren't exactly meant to be used on a PC, such as console game controllers (that are much better than their PC counterparts IMHO). Individuals wrote drivers for stuff like the PlayStation 3 controller and the original Xbox controllers (I loved the S Controller). They don't have the money to spend to get the drivers signed, so they won't develop them at all. Thankfully there is a 64-bit driver for the Xbox 360 controller from Microsoft, but it's not configurable like the hobbyist drivers.

 

[Ryland]

Originally posted by: xine
Hi Ryland,

I'like to know if you was able to installed your VPN Client software on your Windows Vista 64 computer if it's yes which version did you used exactly ? My collegue as try to installed the lasted one version of Global VPN client and each the the setup process has failed....

thanks a lot !

I have NOT been able to get the VPN client to install since the current Vista Beta does not support Vista64. I am also having a problem getting the client to install onto my Vista32 laptop.

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: yuppiejr
<blockquote>quote:
Originally posted by: NoobyDoo
What exactly are the reasons against choosing 64-bit Vista right now. Which apps won't work, what exactly will the user not be able to do, etc. Please give some specific examples.

Thanks.</blockquote>

The anti-virus note below is valid, I went with the "avast" freeware scanner and it seems to work fine so far though. Some games will have problems installing since their copy-protection requires installation of an unsigned driver which is a no-no. I haven't gotten my copy of Shivering Isles to install, though the main Oblivion game is fine. Gothic 3 required a patch (linked on the game's website) to update the CD copy protection drivers.

I've got a stack of games left to install and am still on the fence about sticking with Vista 64-bit or going back to XP for a couple of months. The performance hit for gaming on Vista (primarily due to driver immaturity) is not worth the marginal benefit in terms of security since my wife and I are low-risk users.

Shivering Isles works fine in Vista x64 I just finished it,so your problem is something else,latest benchmarks show drivers have come a long way link ,

If you were debating between the 32-bit and 64-bit flavors of Windows Vista, fortunately it looks like performance is similar with either version. Both AMD and NVIDIA?s drivers for both versions of Vista perform practically identical to one another. And if you were concerned about game compatibility with 64-bit Vista, one of the guidelines Microsoft has required for Games For Windows certification is that games must be compatible with Windows Vista x64. This means if the game has a Games For Windows logo on the box, it?s been tested to run with 64-bit Windows Vista. Upcoming games like Alan Wake, Crysis, Fallout 3, Gears of War PC, and Hellgate: London are all Games For Windows compliant.

Considering all this, we?d recommend our readers opt for the 64-bit version of Vista if you?ve got a 64-bit CPU. It runs just as fast in games with the added advantage that it?s more secure and can address considerably more memory (4GB max in 32-bit Vista versus 128GB in 64-bit Vista Ultimate).

Personally I don't have any problems with my huge list of 32 bit games in Vista x64.

I forgot to say you can add Anti-Vir (both free and payed version) plus Bitdefender 2008 Anti-Virus to Vista x64 compatibility.

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: jzodda
<blockquote>quote:
I find that very hard to believe,I have tried about 30+ games at least and only one required a workaround ,and that was for sound only ie..KOTOR2 (DDL.sound patch that you can find on the net).As to performance that's down to the drivers,personally I don't notice any real difference in gaming FPS wise.</blockquote>

You should believe it. Not everybody has had the same experience and smooth transition. Its driver related for the most part. Some drivers are better then others, and some combo's of drivers are much better.

It all depends on what hardware you have and the game you are trying to play. I have notices some FPS differences for sure. I am wondering if that would go away with 4GB of memory.

You can say that about a lot of hardware regardless of OS in question.

Here's my list of software/games that I have personally tried or currently installed on my Vista x64(all work fine).

Firefox (both 64 bit and 32 bit,however I'm using 32 bit version due to better web software support ie flash,java etc..)
Thunderbird 64 bit version
O&O Defrag 8.6 (64 bit version)
Avast free version
Quicktime
Foxit Reader
ADOBE 8 reader
Kaspersky 7
CCleaner
Spybot 1.4 and 1.5 version
SpywareBlaster
SuperAntiSpyware free version
Speedfan 4.32 version
Gainward ExperTool version 5.
Olympus Master 2 digital camera software
Printmaster 16
uTorrent
ALzip
ZipGenius
Nero 7 Ultra
Ashampoo 7
ColorVision Spyder2Express software.
Creative Alchemy (Universal free version)

GAMES

Archlord
Anarchy Online
9 dragons
Baldur's Gate + exp pack
Baldur's Gate 2 + exp pack
Icewind Dale 2
Starcraft+ exp pack
KOTOR
KOTOR2
Jedi Academy
Jedi outcast
Stalker
Bioshock
Prey
UFO-Afterlight
Silverfall
Two Worlds
Prey
UFO-EXtraterrestrials
Space Force Rogue Universe
Oblivion + Shivering Isles
WoW+ exp pack
SWG
NWN 1 + exp packs
NWN 2
Steam(CS,TFC,DoD etc...)
Space Rangers 2(without starforce copy protection)
LOTRO
Vanguard
UFO-Alien Invasion
Morrowind + exp packs
DarknLight
UT2004
XCOM-Enforcer
Might & Magic 8


My USB hardware list for Vista x64

USB Keyboard
USB Razer Diamondback mouse
USB Canon i865 printer
USB Belinea 10 20 35 w USB internal 4 ports
USB 7-port external self powered(NEC chipset)
USB Thrustmaster Firestorm gamepad
USB Trust Bluetooth BT-2100p (toshiba chipset)
USB lighted mouse pad
USB 4GB ReadyBoost drive(Peakhardware 200x)
USB 256mb Storage device
USB 4GB MP4/MP3 player
USB Lite-On External DVD burner.
USB Leadtek DTV Tuner.
USB Trust 56k modem(backup for my broadband)
USB port on my Olympus c-770 camera (for downloading pics)
USB on my LG KG810 phone for wired connection(can use bluetooth too) for transfer of MP3 files etc..
USB XD/ SD Smart card reader

Probably a few more that I have forgot,anyway gives you an idea of what works on my PC.

 

[BD2003]

At first, the unsigned driver deal prevented me from using Rivatuner, but there is a signed driver floating around that works perfectly.

The only program that I've been absolutely unsuccessful in using is the Windows Home Server connector. Kinda ironic that its a major microsoft utility thats the only program, that doesnt work, but something to do with the cluster based backup makes it completely incompatible with x64.

 

[LightningRider]

Most programs will run in some form or another if you're a regular user. I have a friend though that needed Solidworks on her new machine that I built for her and it doesn't work with the 64 bit so now she has 32bit Ultimate. Some other design programs are not yet certified for 64bit Vista. Overall I think most programs are becoming usable on either Vista.

 

[Quizzer]

You can say that about a lot of hardware regardless of OS in question.

Here's my list of software/games that I have personally tried or currently installed on my Vista x64(all work fine).

Firefox (both 64 bit and 32 bit,however I'm using 32 bit version due to better web software support ie flash,java etc..)
Thunderbird 64 bit version
O&O Defrag 8.6 (64 bit version)
Avast free version
Quicktime
Foxit Reader
ADOBE 8 reader
Kaspersky 7
CCleaner
Spybot 1.4 and 1.5 version
SpywareBlaster
SuperAntiSpyware free version
Speedfan 4.32 version
Gainward ExperTool version 5.
Olympus Master 2 digital camera software
Printmaster 16
uTorrent
ALzip
ZipGenius
Nero 7 Ultra
Ashampoo 7
ColorVision Spyder2Express software.
Creative Alchemy (Universal free version)

GAMES

Archlord
Anarchy Online
9 dragons
Baldur's Gate + exp pack
Baldur's Gate 2 + exp pack
Icewind Dale 2
Starcraft+ exp pack
KOTOR
KOTOR2
Jedi Academy
Jedi outcast
Stalker
Bioshock
Prey
UFO-Afterlight
Silverfall
Two Worlds
Prey
UFO-EXtraterrestrials
Space Force Rogue Universe
Oblivion + Shivering Isles
WoW+ exp pack
SWG
NWN 1 + exp packs
NWN 2
Steam(CS,TFC,DoD etc...)
Space Rangers 2(without starforce copy protection)
LOTRO
Vanguard
UFO-Alien Invasion
Morrowind + exp packs
DarknLight
UT2004
XCOM-Enforcer
Might & Magic 8


My USB hardware list for Vista x64

USB Keyboard
USB Razer Diamondback mouse
USB Canon i865 printer
USB Belinea 10 20 35 w USB internal 4 ports
USB 7-port external self powered(NEC chipset)
USB Thrustmaster Firestorm gamepad
USB Trust Bluetooth BT-2100p (toshiba chipset)
USB lighted mouse pad
USB 4GB ReadyBoost drive(Peakhardware 200x)
USB 256mb Storage device
USB 4GB MP4/MP3 player
USB Lite-On External DVD burner.
USB Leadtek DTV Tuner.
USB Trust 56k modem(backup for my broadband)
USB port on my Olympus c-770 camera (for downloading pics)
USB on my LG KG810 phone for wired connection(can use bluetooth too) for transfer of MP3 files etc..
USB XD/ SD Smart card reader

Probably a few more that I have forgot,anyway gives you an idea of what works on my PC.

I see you list the i865 as working with Vista 64 - any tips for this, as I have found it doesnt work, and would love to get it working again - Thanks in advance!

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[Mem]

I see you list the i865 as working with Vista 64 - any tips for this, as I have found it doesnt work, and would love to get it working again - Thanks in advance!

I've replaced it since then and OS ie Win7,Win8 and now on Win8.1,printer was replaced with Canon pixma 4500 and now on Canon MG6250 printer,from memory I used the drivers from Canon Website years ago and as USB printer ,I installed the printer driver add-on module
,http://www.canon-europe.com/Support...printers/InkJet/i_series/Bubble_Jet_i865.aspx .

 

[Quizzer]

I've replaced it since then and OS ie Win7,Win8 and now on Win8.1,printer was replaced with Canon pixma 4500 and now on Canon MG6250 printer,from memory I used the drivers from Canon Website years ago and as USB printer ,I installed the printer driver add-on module
,http://www.canon-europe.com/Support...printers/InkJet/i_series/Bubble_Jet_i865.aspx .

Well, Mem, I thanks to knowing that the i865 worked for you with Vista 64, I managed to find a solution For the benefit of anyone else googling this issue in future, here it is (it is nowhere else on the web as far as I can see tied to the canon i865 printer): When you install SP1, the installation would try to upgrade the existed hardware drivers at the end of the process. Some components of the printer driver can be corrupt before you install SP1, so the printer driver upgrade does not properly complete. This is what I found re an HP printer having the same issue (ie 0x0000007a error while printing) --------------------------- To resolve this issue, please remove the existed printer driver, and reinstall it. Remove printer ================ 1. Click the "Start" button, type PRINTER in the search box and press Enter. 2. Find the icons which are related to Deskjet 842C, and delete them. 3. Right-click on the blank part of the window, and choose "Run as administrator"->"Server Properties". 4. On the Drivers tab, select the listed printer and click the Remove button. Please then select Remove driver and driver package. 5. Open Start menu, input APPWIZ.CPL in the Search box and press ENTER to launch "Programs and Features". 6. Try to remove all related printer software. Reinstall the driver. ================== 1. Click the "Start" button, type PRINTER in the search box and press Enter. 2. Right-click on the blank part of the window, and choose "Run as administrator"->"Add a printer". 3. Choose "Add a local printer". 4. Choose "Using an existing port"->"LPT1: (Printer port)". Click "Next". 5. Clickc Windows Update, and wait until the process finishes. 6.In the "Manufacture" list, select "HP", and in the "Printers" list, select "HP Deskjet 840C/841C/842C/843C". Click "Next". 7. Define the printer name, and then continue the installation. 8. Select to whether the printer will be shared or not. 9. Printer a test page. ------------------------------------------------- Now for the i865, I got as far as point 4 when removing the driver, selected remove driver and package, and was told it couldnt remove the package. I found a solution, ie: "Stop the print spooler service , then start the print spooler service. Now delete the print driver and package. stop the print spooler and start it again" However, I thought I would not be able to delete the package without reinstalling the driver, so reconnected the USB lead to the printer. I thought I may as well try a test page first, and lo and behold it worked! So, the printer now working, I turned to my old trusty Canon 8400F scanner - I spoke to Canon and was told no 64 drivers for it, so went to install the latest 32 bit drivers on my 32bit vista laptop, and found the drivers - the Canon tech I was on the phone to at the time (telling him about the printer success, so others with the same issue may get a resolution) pointed out the 32 bit drivers - I was puzzled by the 64 on the end - "surely these are 64 bi drivers" - but no, I was told this was just a coincidence. Surprise surprise, vista 32 wouldnt install them as they were indeed 64 bit drivers (just labelled incorrectly on the canon uk website) - so I used these to successfully get vista 64 working with the Canonscan 8400F [ScanGear CS File version: 10.231a] I then used the "earlier" ie 32 bit drivers to get the scanner up and running on the vista 32 bit laptop [ScanGear CS File version: 10.220a] I hope having this on the web helps others out there hoping for a fix, as I am not confident Canon will update this on their website, and I am also not confident that the information I have provided will get relayed to other customers calling in with the same issue.