Does Windows Vista 64bit still have software compat problems?

[DJ-phYre]

Building a new PC and I am not sure which flavor of Vista I want. I would like to go 64bit if I could since it can support 4GB+ RAM. I have only ordered 2x1GB so far, but I would eventually get another 2 sticks probably.

I was just wondering if 64bit is still causing headaches. I know that it has to better than it was in past, but I am sure not everything is worked out just yet...

Also I am wondering which version of Vista to get. I have looked at the comparison charts and it looks like I would want Ultimate to use with my XBOX 360 as a MCE...

 

[Aberforth]

Vista 64bit never caused a headache for me since Jan 2007, feel free to upgrade if you have a fairly new PC. Better run Windows Upgrade Advisor to make sure your hardware has compatible 64bit drivers.

Edit:
btw I have Ultimate Retail version, with retail version you have license to do unlimited PC transfers/upgrades, where as OEM versions are single use only and only allows minor upgrades.

 

[DJ-phYre]

Originally posted by: Aberforth
Vista 64bit never caused a headache for me since Jan 2007, feel free to upgrade if you have a fairly new PC. Better run Windows Upgrade Advisor to make sure your hardware has compatible 64bit drivers.

Edit:
btw I have Ultimate Retail version, with retail version you have license to do unlimited PC transfers/upgrades, where as OEM versions are single use only and only allows minor upgrades.

It is all brand new hardware....

ASUS P5Q SE w/ E8400...

 

[Aberforth]

^ Go ahead and install 64 bit, you won't regret it.

 

[Scotteq]

Having used Vista 64 for the last year, I'll relate that cries about incompatibilities are far far overblown. I have had drivers for everything (check siggy for details) from the very beginning, and all of the 32 bit software I've installed has run perfectly well. Though I don't tempt fate by using old stuff. Going forward there shoudl be no doubt about driver/app availability and compatibility: In order to use the Windows logo on a product, Microsoft require that it run on both 32 and 64 bit versions of Vista.

Stability~wise, Vista 64 has been far far better than the XP box I had before: To date, no application issue has brought down the OS. Same for Drivers - Though the first few nVidia drivers tried really hard for a while.

Niggles? 16 bit has been depricated and so very old programs coded in 16, or with 16 bit installers won't work at all. UAC was a little annoying at times, but once learning what does and doesn't belong, I hardly see it any more. And Adobe *STILL* do not have a 64 bit version of Flash Player. So to use Flash enabled sites, you have to use a 32 bit browser, which does allow you to use the 32 bit player.



Some background info, if you need:

http://www.dailytech.com/Peopl...ndows/article12568.htm

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1386...ws&tag=2547-1001_3-0-5


Gateway is in the process of changing over to Vista 64 on all their desktops:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9981043-1.html

V64 Questions and Answers
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=511

 

[Griffinhart]

The compatibility problems Vista 64 has had was mostly with hardware drivers. specifically printers/scanners and the like. Well, 16bit applications won't run either, but I don't have a single 16 bit app to worry about. Windows started transitioning away from 16bit back when Win95 was released, so if you are running stuff newer than 10 years old it won't be a problem.

 

[xsilver]

^^ also 56k usb modem = no dice (if that kind of stuff is still useful to u still)

I would also think if you have any niche products like wacom tablets or very early usb products, check carefully and be prepared to compromise I guess.

 

[MatthewF01]

I just rebuilt my machine last weekend, moving from a S939 board to an AM2 board (with 5600+ black edition ), and figured since I had to blow away my existing 32-bit Vista business install anyway, I might as well take the opportunity to move up to x64.

Bluetooth was a pain, I had to use drivers from another mfgr;
other than that I was surprised at having drivers for pretty much everything.
Also incredibly shocked to see Creative actually provides 64-bit VISTA drivers now!!! I didn't know they finally woke up on Vista support for Audigy cards...once I got mine working last time, I never wanted to deal with them again

One thing I'm super-upset about is Cisco VPN Client is outright not supported/not compatible with Vista 64-bit. The installer won't even run. NOT COOL, and my company uses it exclusively for VPN connectivity.