[TriLUG] OT: 64-bit computing advice

OlsonE at aosa.army.mil OlsonE at aosa.army.mil
Tue Aug 29 09:10:22 EDT 2006


1 - Don't waste your time with the 64-bit edition of Windows XP. The
standard 32-bit version works fine with a 64-bit CPU.

2 - 64-bit platform running 32-bit XP, absolutely no issues! I have a
Intel 805d (EMT64), Asus P5H DW Deluxe, and 0 problems, other than beef
with the onboard wireless.

3 - 64-bit platform running 64-bit Linux, with 32-bit Windows XP under
VMWare -- well, that depends on how tech savvy your dad is. I try to
keep it easy for my family... saves me tons of phone calls and headaches
in the future when somethings broken ...and I'm the only "techie" that
can fix it in the family.

4 - Quality 32-bit hardware for 32-bit Windows is a cinch! Scour NewEgg
/ ZipZoomFly ...and the likes, and its packed full of it. You'd find
32-bit hardware easier than you'd find hardware that's supported in
64-bit Windows.

I would definitely go with an Athlon 64 X2 (Socket AM2) chip over the
Athlon XP, unless you have an extremly cheap budget. You could get one
from NewEgg for as little as 152.00...

-----Original Message-----
From: trilug-bounces at trilug.org [mailto:trilug-bounces at trilug.org] On
Behalf Of Brian Henning
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 8:53 AM
To: TriLUG
Subject: [TriLUG] OT: 64-bit computing advice

Hiya Gang,
   My dad is asking me for advice on upgrading his P-III 750MHz Win98
desktop which is gradually grinding to a halt.  It seems that the
marketplace is really trying to shove 64-bit desktop computing down our
throats (anyone seen an Athlon XP for sale lately?  Or a quality mobo to
put it on?).  I don't have any direct experience with 64-bit chips, but
it seems like I've heard a lot of horror stories about unsupported
hardware, as well as further DRM encumberances in the Windows platform. 
  Unfortunately in this case, Windows is a requirement.  I'm sure Dad
would be interested in switching to Linux, but he uses a handful of
Windows-only apps.  Which brings me to my question of which is better:

1 - Jumping headlong into 64-bit computing and the 64-bit edition of
Windows XP;
2 - 64-bit platform running 32-bit XP (which I have heard runs like
garbage, but only from one person)
3 - 64-bit platform running 64-bit Linux with 32-bit Windows XP under
VMWare.
4 - Trying desperately to find quality 32-bit hardware for 32-bit
Windows.

(See, I mentioned Linux, so it's not completely inappropriate for the
list! :-) )

All tips and advice are, as always, greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
~Brian
--
----------------
Brian A. Henning
strutmasters.com
336.597.2397x238
----------------
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