Upgrading from Vista 32Bit to 64Bit

[Adam]

I plan to upgrade to the Vista 64Bit version soon and from what I have ready some people recommend to use the Windows Back up feature currently in Vista. This isn’t a problem as I have a 1TB USB HDD it can go on but I was just wondering if this is actually necessary.

Can you just upgrade to it and roll back if there are any issues?

 

[Mike_182]

No, it's a complete rebuild for 32-bit to 64-bit systems.

 

[Adam]

So you saying I should back up my current 32bit sytem prior to the upgrade ?

 

[Mike_182]

When you install you can get it to put everything in 'Windows.OLD' folder but don't format it...

 

[PinkoCommie]

Dual boot it.

That's the simplest answer.

 

[JackoR26]

You could also use the built in windows backup to create a backup onto your HDD then if anything fails you can restore from that using the Vista CD

 

[Adam]

Dual boot it.

That's the simplest answer.

Would rather have the single partition.

 

[Adam]

You could also use the built in windows backup to create a backup onto your HDD then if anything fails you can restore from that using the Vista CD

Yeah well that's basically what I plan to do.

 

[Adam]

I decided to do a fresh install in the end rather than an upgrade. The 64bit version appears to be alot quicker already

 

[Keydogg]

I decided to do a fresh install in the end rather than an upgrade. The 64bit version appears to be alot quicker already

There isn't any performance difference between 32bit and 64bit, its just because you have done a fresh install that its quicker

 

[Ads_172]

^ Wouldn't there be more RAM available if the OP has 4GB of memory?

 

[Mike_182]

^ Wouldn't there be more RAM available if the OP has 4GB of memory?

Yes, but this would be countered by the larger 64-bit processes. Until you cross 6GB (as you have to do matched pairs), I'd say stick with 32-bit.

 

[Adam]

Well I have put all my programmes I had on before and it is still running quicker. Even file transfer rates have improved

 

[Mike_182]

Still, your disk will be less fragmented... #1 cause of performance issues.

 

[JackoR26]

As said i only really noticed it speed up when i stuck 8gb of ram in :approve:

 

[Mr J Cake]

id have stuck with vista 32bit not much difference between then 64bit will be faster, but finding programs is normally the hardest bit.

Personally id wait till Windows 7 is fully released then get 64 bit OS.
Vista has so many issues and causes so many crashes its unbeleavable.

windows 7 (i'm using the beta release now - Upgraded from Vista Ultimate)
is so much faster then vista could dream of.

Im using the exact same spec as what i was running vista and it runs like a dream. So much quicker at everything. to the point that when you turn it on you feel happy that Vista aint gonna try and control everything for you and generally just annoy u.

Must admit there is some issues with Windows 7 but as of yet have been alot less then when a i Brought my retail version of vista.

Which i my opinion is a vast improvement and it just feels fresh new and simple to use.

All just my opinion of course.

 

[Mike_182]

All just my opinion of course.

Can I ask what you do for a living please? As I'm interested in collating what people do for a living vs. their opinion of Vista...