Joolz' Handy Windows XP x64 Tips Thread

[Joolz]

For those looking to dive into the depths of Windows XP Profressional x64 Edition, I thought i'd put together a few tidbits that you might find helpful.

There is a trial version available for Windows XP Profressional x64 Edition avaiable from Microsoft.

Check out http://www.froogle.co.uk for places to get the x64 version of Windows XP!

EBuyer: http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...=89195&_LOC=UK

The update program is now LIVE and available at the Microsoft site. This allows you to 'trade in' your 32-bit XP Pro license for a new 64-bit one.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/6...e/default.mspx

The retail verion is now available in Japanese (why!?). The English version is being pressed atm.

Your 32-bit XP Pro key will NOT work on xp64.

Also, x64 Edition is NOT Windows XP SP2 (a common misconception). Its Windows Server 2003 SP1. That means its not NT 5.1, but NT 5.2. This means it has a different networking stack (quite a bit different) and has IIS6 (for the webdevs).

In other words, it brings the OS forward a little bit.

Drivers

VIA

VIA have provided x64 drivers for all parts of their chipset at the above link.

nVidia
nVidia have been thoughtful enough to provide drivers for motherboard AND gfx card. However, SLI is currently in a leaked driver.

nForce 3 Motherboard Drivers
nForce 4 Motherboard Drivers
GeForce GFX Card Drivers (Unified)
Leaked SLI GFX Drivers (Use at your own risk)

ATI

Shockingly, ATI are the first to come out with WHQL drivers for their GFX Cards!

Catalyst 5.4 x64
Release Notes

Creative Labs

UPDATE!!! Creative Labs are still being quite slack. However, an updated BETA of their drivers for Live/Audigy/Audigy 2 users does exist. One snag is that they put a time limit on these drivers (120 days from the 18th April this year!) So I do hope they release new drivers soon.

BETA Drivers for Live/Audigy/Audigy 2

Microsoft ActiveSync / PocketPC / SmartPhone

Microsoft have quietly released ActiveSync 4.0 which is has x64 support built right in. Microsoft haven't released this on THEIR pages yet, but it is everywhere else. I use it personally, it works fine (if not better than when its on win32!)

ActiveSync 4.0 Download

Software

Unfortunately, Alcohol 120% will likely not be ported to XP 64-bit... why? Because the makers are on record saying that they don't believe they should port to this 'Server Operating System'?... Ok so they are mis-informed.

The makes of Daemon Tools are working on a 64-bit version at the moment. However, its in closed Beta.

Until then.

FileDisk

As for other things... just about EVERYTHING should work. Hell, I have things like Visual Studio .NET 2003, SQL Server 2005, TortoiseSVN, FileZilla, iTunes, Office 2003... the WORKS. It all works fine.

This is thanks to a new layer in Windows called 'Windows on Windows'. 32-bit Apps that run in this mode appear in Task Manager with a *32 next to their process name. This means that any old application/game etc. works fine under the new OS. You'll notice a different registry key for them tho. Their settings go into HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WoW6432Node, and if they install DLLs in the Windows directory, they go into x:\WINDOWS\SYSWOW64 instead of SYSTEM32. This is handled transparantly by Windows.



Things to look out for are apps that use addons to the context menu (the right click on an explorer window). They won't work anymore. However, people have worked around this by updating their Shell to use 32-bit Explorer. A side effect of this is that you lose the speed from the new Explorer, but you do get to have all those lovely 32-bit Extensions. Worth checking out.

How to run the 32-bit Explorer shell on Windows x64

Alternatively you can load up Internet Explorer (32-bit) and put C:\ in your address bar... and bingo, they'll be there.

If you want VMWare... you'll need VMWare 5. I use it... it works great.

Anti-virus

There is only one anti-virus that actually works on x64 (that actually works!). Its even free for personal use!

avast!

Games

I haven't found a game not to work... yet.

[KingDaveRa]

<blonde moment>
OK, so can I take a purely x64 machine, and install say Office 2003 for 32-bit and expect it to work? Is there a translation layer in place to make my 32-bit apps run on 64-bit or do I need purely 64-bit apps. This hasn't really been explained anywhere that I've seen.
</bonde moment>

[Joolz]

Originally posted by KingDaveRa
<blonde moment>
OK, so can I take a purely x64 machine, and install say Office 2003 for 32-bit and expect it to work? Is there a translation layer in place to make my 32-bit apps run on 64-bit or do I need purely 64-bit apps. This hasn't really been explained anywhere that I've seen.
</bonde moment>

Edited first post... but YES it all runs fine! 32-bit apps run in the Windows on Windows environment.

[Chicane]

from a really dumb perspective why upgrade?

[Joolz]

Originally posted by Chicane
from a really dumb perspective why upgrade?

At the moment... there isn't really much reason other than an extra 10-15 fps in games (yes you get a big boost on 3d performance thanks to Floating Point math using the 64-bit mode of the processor).

The OS is faster, its built on the Windows Server 2003 kernel (so quite a bit more stable). So, from a 'geek' perspective, its worthwhile.

[GeeDee]

Excellent thread.

Stuck.

[Cheez]

VMWare 5.1 from 4.x is that a free upgrade?

[Joolz]

Originally posted by Chris
VMWare 5.1 from 4.x is that a free upgrade?

Only if you bought 4.x in December last year. If not... its a $99 upgrade cost.

[Hitori]

When is the retail release date for x64?

[Cheez]

Is it not OEM only? That was the last I heard on it a few months back.

[Freelance]

that's what i heard as well, although there is a lot of people mentioning a xp pro > x64 upgrade offer. i have yet to see any concrete details from ms on availability though

[Joolz]

Originally posted by Chris
Is it not OEM only? That was the last I heard on it a few months back.

No, its not OEM only.

[Joolz]

Originally posted by Freelance
that's what i heard as well, although there is a lot of people mentioning a xp pro > x64 upgrade offer. i have yet to see any concrete details from ms on availability though

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1629808,00.asp
http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/20...0316029629.htm
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=21760

Admittedly... all press... but also a few MVPs are talking about (I can't say who). Its not a case of if... it really is a case of when. MS have been touting it for a very long time that they would do this.

[Joolz]

BUMP!

Updated Creative driver information and also posted link to the exchange program that allows you to get xp64 for a very reduced price by trading in your old license.

[Elspuddy]

is this upgrade free ??

[^MiNi_D^]

I am seriousely considering this 64bit makes me drool apart from the worrying concept they wont support my sagum fast 800, meaning no Mini D untill he buys an ASDL router. unless sum1 is selling one dirt cheap. any help?

[Elspuddy]

Originally posted by ^MiNi_D^
I am seriousely considering this 64bit makes me drool apart from the worrying concept they wont support my sagum fast 800, meaning no Mini D untill he buys an ASDL router. unless sum1 is selling one dirt cheap. any help?

hmm, i just got ym dyanmode adsl modem and 4port router back from them after my sister some how killed it, want to make me an offer ?

[^MiNi_D^]

a working one would be nicer

[Elspuddy]

it is working, just got it back from rmaing it

[LoopyJuice]

Just a couple of my findings so far:

CD-Burning - Nero works perfectly fine (6.6.0.12)

Themes - There is a cracked uxtheme.dll file that works for x64

UltraMon - A bit shafted with x64, some parts work but the smart taskbar (most useful feature IMO) is pretty broken - An x64 beta is available for customers that have purchased a recent version : http://www.realtimesoft.com/multimon...&tmpl=UltraMon

Anapod Explorer - (iPod software, alternitave to iTunes is also a bit broken although usable under x64, I emailed their feedback address and recieved the following response:

Hi Owain,

Thanks for the report. We are looking into it and hope
to make whatever adjustments are necessary in an
upcoming release.

Cheers,
Red

Other than that the only niggle I have is the lack of CD-Emulation software but I shall give the above a try.

Also, not found any games that do not work perfectly yet, WoW, BF1942/mods, SWG and BF:Vietnam all working fine.

[Joolz]

Originally posted by LoopyJuice
Other than that the only niggle I have is the lack of CD-Emulation software but I shall give the above a try.

Re-read my post at the top of the thread... I did mention CD Emulation and that it can be done... as there IS apps out there to do it.

[Rizzo]

Ok I found a slight problem using Zboard I cant seem to install the drivers for that the kernel file or something. I've tried looking around for drivers but cant seem to find anything. Can anyone shed any light on this?

[Joolz]

Originally posted by Rizzo
Ok I found a slight problem using Zboard I cant seem to install the drivers for that the kernel file or something. I've tried looking around for drivers but cant seem to find anything. Can anyone shed any light on this?

Apparantly they are 'in development'. So, they should be around at some point.

[Joolz]

BUMP! Updated first post with details of ActiveSync 4.0.

[Joolz]

BUMP! Added link to where EBuyer are selling it.

[Rizzo]

Originally posted by Joolz
Apparantly they are 'in development'. So, they should be around at some point.

Thanks, well I'm gonna change to x64 as soon as I have some money and the drivers come out for the zboard.
I've tried x64 XP and I have to say, looks very nice indeed.

[Joolz]

BUMPED again! Someone has h4xed a way to load up 32-bit Shell Extensions... and a trial version is now available!

[Hitori]

Just thought I'd mention that Digital Jesters are planning to release x64 patches for all their StarForce-protected games. IE, Trackmania Sunrise will work on x64

From a reply to an email I sent them:

There are plans to release a windows 64 patch for all SF games.
Available in the next few weeks

[Gifted]

damn... got x64 up and running on my laptop.. but can get wireless card to work

Netgear WG511T which runs onf the Atheros super-g core...

need drivers for it or ill have to go back to vanilla xp

[^MiNi_D^]

Hmmz, I think other than the limitations of soundcard drivers ive had no problems, though now im using my ac97 on-board, its not too bad other than i seem to be missing a mic port with my 5.1 plugged in. I think this has just become a new full time OS. I'd recommend it to most confident users of XP.