XP (x86) or (x64)

July 31, 2008

Hi

I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

How do I know?

Thank you.

Mike

July 31, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

Mike wrote:

> Hi

>

> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

> How do I know?

>

> Thank you.

>

> Mike

x86 is the 32 bit OS and x64 is the 64 bit version

July 31, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

On Jul 31, 9:18 am, "GreenieLeBrun" <GreenieLeB...@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Mike wrote:

> > Hi

>

> > I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

> > I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

> > How do I know?

>

> > Thank you.

>

> > Mike

>

> x86 is the 32 bit OS and x64 is the 64 bit version

Many thanks.

Mike

July 31, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

Mike wrote:

> Hi

>

> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

> How do I know?

>

> Thank you.

>

> Mike

x86 could be viewed as related to a 32 bit version of something.

x64 could be viewed as related to a 64 bit version of something.

Both WinXP and Vista are available as 32 bit and 64 bit versions.

A current generation Intel or AMD processor, can run either a

32 bit or 64 bit OS. But an older processor (like my Pentium 4

or my AthlonXP), can only run the 32 bit version of the OS.

The 64 bit version of OS, is also backward compatible with older

programs, and if it didn't do that at least, it would be a very

lonely OS. What that means is, if you have a 64 bit capable processor,

you can use a 64 bit OS, but run that old 32 bit version of Photoshop

you've always used.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X64

Paul

July 31, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

On Jul 31, 9:32 am, Paul <nos...@needed.com> wrote:

> Mike wrote:

> > Hi

>

> > I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

> > I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

> > How do I know?

>

> > Thank you.

>

> > Mike

>

> x86 could be viewed as related to a 32 bit version of something.

> x64 could be viewed as related to a 64 bit version of something.

>

> Both WinXP and Vista are available as 32 bit and 64 bit versions.

> A current generation Intel or AMD processor, can run either a

> 32 bit or 64 bit OS. But an older processor (like my Pentium 4

> or my AthlonXP), can only run the 32 bit version of the OS.

>

> The 64 bit version of OS, is also backward compatible with older

> programs, and if it didn't do that at least, it would be a very

> lonely OS. What that means is, if you have a 64 bit capable processor,

> you can use a 64 bit OS, but run that old 32 bit version of Photoshop

> you've always used.

>

> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86

>

> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X64

>

> Paul

Thank you very much, Paul.

Your explanation is so helpful that I can fully understand.

Mike

July 31, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

wrote:

> Hi

>

> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

> How do I know?

x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

32-bit (x86).

To be sure, hold down the Windows key and press Pause|Break. If it's

64-bit, it will say so there.

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

July 31, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

On Jul 31, 9:39 am, "Ken Blake, MVP"

<kbl...@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:

> On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <Sulfate...@gmail.com>

> wrote:

>

> > Hi

>

> > I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

> > I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

> > How do I know?

>

> x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

>

> The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

> 32-bit (x86).

>

> To be sure, hold down the Windows key and press Pause|Break. If it's

> 64-bit, it will say so there.

>

> --

> Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

> Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Thank you very much for your information.

Mike

July 31, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

news:7o5294pkro0kbun757ct26s2g1n93u8vf3@4ax.com...

> On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

> wrote:

>

>> Hi

>>

>> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

>> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

>> How do I know?

>

> x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

>

> The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

> 32-bit (x86).

>

For the curious: x86 is a reference to the x86 series of processors which

started with the intel 8086 processor (which was a 16 bit processor and

wouldn't be able to run a 32 bit operating system). The first 32 bit

processor was the 80386 but mainstream 32 bit Windows was still a long way

off..

July 31, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:02:42 -0700 (PDT), Mike <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

wrote:

> On Jul 31, 9:39 am, "Ken Blake, MVP"

> <kbl...@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:

> > On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <Sulfate...@gmail.com>

> > wrote:

> >

> > > Hi

> >

> > > I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

> > > I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

> > > How do I know?

> >

> > x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

> >

> > The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

> > 32-bit (x86).

> >

> > To be sure, hold down the Windows key and press Pause|Break. If it's

> > 64-bit, it will say so there.

> >

> > --

> > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

> > Please Reply to the Newsgroup

>

> Thank you very much for your information.

You're welcome. Glad to help.

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

July 31, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:56:13 +0100, "M.I.5¾"

<no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

>

> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

> news:7o5294pkro0kbun757ct26s2g1n93u8vf3@4ax.com...

> > On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

> > wrote:

> >

> >> Hi

> >>

> >> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

> >> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

> >> How do I know?

> >

> > x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

> >

> > The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

> > 32-bit (x86).

> >

>

> For the curious: x86 is a reference to the x86 series of processors which

> started with the intel 8086 processor (which was a 16 bit processor and

> wouldn't be able to run a 32 bit operating system).

And interestingly was never used in a PC. The first PC used an 8088

instead.

> The first 32 bit

> processor was the 80386 but mainstream 32 bit Windows was still a long way

> off..

>

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

July 31, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

> On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:56:13 +0100, "M.I.5¾"

> <no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

>

>>"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

>>news:7o5294pkro0kbun757ct26s2g1n93u8vf3@4ax.com...

>>

>>>On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

>>>wrote:

>>>

>>>>Hi

>>>>

>>>> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

>>>> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

>>>> How do I know?

>>>

>>>x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

>>>

>>>The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

>>>32-bit (x86).

>>>

>>

>>For the curious: x86 is a reference to the x86 series of processors which

>>started with the intel 8086 processor (which was a 16 bit processor and

>>wouldn't be able to run a 32 bit operating system).

>

> And interestingly was never used in a PC. The first PC used an 8088

> instead.

>

Make that IBM PC, other manufacturers did use the 8086, Olivetti and

Xerox for a couple of examples.

>

>>The first 32 bit

>>processor was the 80386 but mainstream 32 bit Windows was still a long way

>>off..

>>

>

July 31, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:14:58 -0500, Bob I <birelan@yahoo.com> wrote:

>

> Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

>

> > On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:56:13 +0100, "M.I.5¾"

> > <no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

> >

> >>"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

> >>news:7o5294pkro0kbun757ct26s2g1n93u8vf3@4ax.com...

> >>

> >>>On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

> >>>wrote:

> >>>

> >>>>Hi

> >>>>

> >>>> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

> >>>> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

> >>>> How do I know?

> >>>

> >>>x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

> >>>

> >>>The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

> >>>32-bit (x86).

> >>>

> >>

> >>For the curious: x86 is a reference to the x86 series of processors which

> >>started with the intel 8086 processor (which was a 16 bit processor and

> >>wouldn't be able to run a 32 bit operating system).

> >

> > And interestingly was never used in a PC. The first PC used an 8088

> > instead.

> >

>

> Make that IBM PC, other manufacturers did use the 8086, Olivetti and

> Xerox for a couple of examples.

Yes, that's what I meant, but thanks for the clarification.

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

July 31, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

> On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:56:13 +0100, "M.I.5¾"

> <no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

>

>>

>> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

>> news:7o5294pkro0kbun757ct26s2g1n93u8vf3@4ax.com...

>>> On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

>>> wrote:

>>>

>>>> Hi

>>>>

>>>> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

>>>> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

>>>> How do I know?

>>>

>>> x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

>>>

>>> The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

>>> 32-bit (x86).

>>>

>>

>> For the curious: x86 is a reference to the x86 series of processors which

>> started with the intel 8086 processor (which was a 16 bit processor and

>> wouldn't be able to run a 32 bit operating system).

>

> And interestingly was never used in a PC. The first PC used an 8088

> instead.

Pretty similar, though. :-)

It's been awhile, though, and I can't remember the difference between the

8088 and 8086 anymore. I seem to remember 20-bit *addressing*, and a 16

bit word size for the *data* bus.

July 31, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

Bill in Co. wrote:

> Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

>

>>On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:56:13 +0100, "M.I.5¾"

>><no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

>>

>>>"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

>>>news:7o5294pkro0kbun757ct26s2g1n93u8vf3@4ax.com...

>>>

>>>>On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

>>>>wrote:

>>>>

>>>>>Hi

>>>>>

>>>>> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

>>>>> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

>>>>> How do I know?

>>>>

>>>>x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

>>>>

>>>>The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

>>>>32-bit (x86).

>>>>

>>>

>>>For the curious: x86 is a reference to the x86 series of processors which

>>>started with the intel 8086 processor (which was a 16 bit processor and

>>>wouldn't be able to run a 32 bit operating system).

>>

>>And interestingly was never used in a PC. The first PC used an 8088

>>instead.

>

> Pretty similar, though. :-)

> It's been awhile, though, and I can't remember the difference between the

> 8088 and 8086 anymore. I seem to remember 20-bit *addressing*, and a 16

> bit word size for the *data* bus.

>

Yep, the 8088 only had an 8 bit memory bus as compared the 16 bit bus on

the 8086. IIRC it was a "economy" issue that lead to that decision about

the CPU for the IBM PC.

July 31, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:02:47 -0600, "Bill in Co."

<not_really_here@earthlink.net> wrote:

> Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

> > On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:56:13 +0100, "M.I.5¾"

> > <no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

> >

> >>

> >> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

> >> news:7o5294pkro0kbun757ct26s2g1n93u8vf3@4ax.com...

> >>> On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

> >>> wrote:

> >>>

> >>>> Hi

> >>>>

> >>>> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

> >>>> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

> >>>> How do I know?

> >>>

> >>> x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

> >>>

> >>> The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

> >>> 32-bit (x86).

> >>>

> >>

> >> For the curious: x86 is a reference to the x86 series of processors which

> >> started with the intel 8086 processor (which was a 16 bit processor and

> >> wouldn't be able to run a 32 bit operating system).

> >

> > And interestingly was never used in a PC. The first PC used an 8088

> > instead.

>

> Pretty similar, though. :-)

> It's been awhile, though, and I can't remember the difference between the

> 8088 and 8086 anymore.

The major difference is that the 8088 was 8-bit and the 8086 16-bit.

> I seem to remember 20-bit *addressing*, and a 16

> bit word size for the *data* bus.

>

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

August 1, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

> On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:02:47 -0600, "Bill in Co."

> <not_really_here@earthlink.net> wrote:

>

>> Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

>>> On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:56:13 +0100, "M.I.5¾"

>>> <no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

>>>

>>>>

>>>> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

>>>> news:7o5294pkro0kbun757ct26s2g1n93u8vf3@4ax.com...

>>>>> On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

>>>>> wrote:

>>>>>

>>>>>> Hi

>>>>>>

>>>>>> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

>>>>>> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

>>>>>> How do I know?

>>>>>

>>>>> x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

>>>>>

>>>>> The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

>>>>> 32-bit (x86).

>>>>>

>>>>

>>>> For the curious: x86 is a reference to the x86 series of processors

>>>> which

>>>> started with the intel 8086 processor (which was a 16 bit processor and

>>>> wouldn't be able to run a 32 bit operating system).

>>>

>>> And interestingly was never used in a PC. The first PC used an 8088

>>> instead.

>>

>> Pretty similar, though. :-)

>> It's been awhile, though, and I can't remember the difference between the

>> 8088 and 8086 anymore.

>

> The major difference is that the 8088 was 8-bit and the 8086 16-bit.

>

>> I seem to remember 20-bit *addressing*, and a 16

>> bit word size for the *data* bus.

That's what I said too. But there was a notable difference between the

two, and maybe the 8088 only had a 8 bit *data* bus.

August 1, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

news:fah394pd7d476sb21pifdif108ddn1d2a1@4ax.com...

> On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:56:13 +0100, "M.I.5¾"

> <no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

>

>>

>> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

>> news:7o5294pkro0kbun757ct26s2g1n93u8vf3@4ax.com...

>> > On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

>> > wrote:

>> >

>> >> Hi

>> >>

>> >> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

>> >> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

>> >> How do I know?

>> >

>> > x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

>> >

>> > The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

>> > 32-bit (x86).

>> >

>>

>> For the curious: x86 is a reference to the x86 series of processors which

>> started with the intel 8086 processor (which was a 16 bit processor and

>> wouldn't be able to run a 32 bit operating system).

>

> And interestingly was never used in a PC. The first PC used an 8088

> instead.

>

Not correct. Although the *first* PCs did indeed use an 8088, there were

plenty of PCs that were fitted with 8086 processors (and I still possess

one - but only because it's slow enough to run a particular application

properly).

It was the 80186 that never made it into a PC.

August 1, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

"Bob I" <birelan@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:%23sCL9A18IHA.356@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

Bill in Co. wrote:

> Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

>

>>On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:56:13 +0100, "M.I.5¾"

>><no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

>>

>>>"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

>>>news:7o5294pkro0kbun757ct26s2g1n93u8vf3@4ax.com...

>>>

>>>>On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

>>>>wrote:

>>>>

>>>>>Hi

>>>>>

>>>>> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

>>>>> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

>>>>> How do I know?

>>>>

>>>>x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

>>>>

>>>>The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

>>>>32-bit (x86).

>>>>

>>>

>>>For the curious: x86 is a reference to the x86 series of processors which

>>>started with the intel 8086 processor (which was a 16 bit processor and

>>>wouldn't be able to run a 32 bit operating system).

>>

>>And interestingly was never used in a PC. The first PC used an 8088

>>instead.

>

> Pretty similar, though. :-)

> It's been awhile, though, and I can't remember the difference between the

> 8088 and 8086 anymore. I seem to remember 20-bit *addressing*, and a 16

> bit word size for the *data* bus.

>

Yep, the 8088 only had an 8 bit memory bus as compared the 16 bit bus on

the 8086. IIRC it was a "economy" issue that lead to that decision about

the CPU for the IBM PC.

---------------

Indeed. The IBM PC was an every expense spared design as IBM considered

that they were unlikely to sell more than half a million. They turned out

to be right, but their competitors, who were able to easily clone the

design, sold millions. Many of their competitors (including Amstrad - not

noted for splashing out) used the 8086 and produced machines that

outperformed the IBM.

August 1, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

news:9td49451cfd3ii00pl50ag2stsoa4015k3@4ax.com...

> On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:02:47 -0600, "Bill in Co."

> <not_really_here@earthlink.net> wrote:

>

>> Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

>> > On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:56:13 +0100, "M.I.5¾"

>> > <no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

>> >

>> >>

>> >> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

>> >> news:7o5294pkro0kbun757ct26s2g1n93u8vf3@4ax.com...

>> >>> On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

>> >>> wrote:

>> >>>

>> >>>> Hi

>> >>>>

>> >>>> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

>> >>>> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

>> >>>> How do I know?

>> >>>

>> >>> x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

>> >>>

>> >>> The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

>> >>> 32-bit (x86).

>> >>>

>> >>

>> >> For the curious: x86 is a reference to the x86 series of processors

>> >> which

>> >> started with the intel 8086 processor (which was a 16 bit processor

>> >> and

>> >> wouldn't be able to run a 32 bit operating system).

>> >

>> > And interestingly was never used in a PC. The first PC used an 8088

>> > instead.

>>

>> Pretty similar, though. :-)

>> It's been awhile, though, and I can't remember the difference between the

>> 8088 and 8086 anymore.

>

> The major difference is that the 8088 was 8-bit and the 8086 16-bit.

>

That's not quite true. The 8088 was as much a 16 bit processor as the

8086 - at least internally. The difference lay in the width of the external

data bus. The 8088 used an 8 bit data bus whereas the 8086 used a 16 bit

bus.

Even then the difference wasn't quite that straightforward, because the 8086

could't import or export 16 bit data in one go on its 16 bit bus. In fact

it read the 2 8 bit halves separately but it was able to read both halves

significantly quicker than the 8088 could read its 8 bit bus twice. When

running a program that required no branches, the 8086 read each half of the

data bus alternately. It was thus possible to run programs where the 16 bit

instructions were missaligned in memory and the 8 bit instuctions were read

on the high byte of the bus. This actually slowed the processor down as it

had to swap the data around internally. The architecture was almost closer

to an interleaved memory model than a true 16 bit model.

Some PC architectures today closely emulate this model for improved memory

access speeds, however, it is not the processor that does this but one of

the support chips.

August 1, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

M.I.5¾ wrote:

> "Bob I" <birelan@yahoo.com> wrote in message

> news:%23sCL9A18IHA.356@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>

> Bill in Co. wrote:

>> Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

>>

>>> On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:56:13 +0100, "M.I.5¾"

>>> <no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

>>>

>>>> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

>>>> news:7o5294pkro0kbun757ct26s2g1n93u8vf3@4ax.com...

>>>>

>>>>> On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

>>>>> wrote:

>>>>>

>>>>>> Hi

>>>>>>

>>>>>> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

>>>>>> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

>>>>>> How do I know?

>>>>>

>>>>> x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

>>>>>

>>>>> The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

>>>>> 32-bit (x86).

>>>>>

>>>>

>>>> For the curious: x86 is a reference to the x86 series of processors

>>>> which

>>>> started with the intel 8086 processor (which was a 16 bit processor and

>>>> wouldn't be able to run a 32 bit operating system).

>>>

>>> And interestingly was never used in a PC. The first PC used an 8088

>>> instead.

>>

>> Pretty similar, though. :-)

>> It's been awhile, though, and I can't remember the difference between the

>> 8088 and 8086 anymore. I seem to remember 20-bit *addressing*, and a

>> 16

>> bit word size for the *data* bus.

>>

>

> Yep, the 8088 only had an 8 bit memory bus as compared the 16 bit bus on

> the 8086.

You mean the external *data bus*. (the term "memory bus" is a bit

ambiguous to me)

What about the address bus? Well, they both had 20 bit addressing, as I

recall, so I presume that meant both had twenty *actual* address lines (i.e.

A0 thru A19), (unless some tricks were used, an example of which is noted

below).

This just reminded me; one of these older chips had a *multiplexed* address

and data bus! I think it was the 8085. What a mess. (Well, ok,

not exactly, as it was sorted out to the outside world by another chip).

> IIRC it was a "economy" issue that lead to that decision about

> the CPU for the IBM PC.

Yup.

> ---------------

>

> Indeed. The IBM PC was an every expense spared design as IBM considered

> that they were unlikely to sell more than half a million. They turned out

> to be right, but their competitors, who were able to easily clone the

> design, sold millions. Many of their competitors (including Amstrad - not

> noted for splashing out) used the 8086 and produced machines that

> outperformed the IBM.

And the very first IBM PC's didn't even have a floppy drive, as I recall

(one had to use an external cassette for storage). And then came the 5.25

inch drive(s).

August 1, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

"Bill in Co." <not_really_here@earthlink.net> wrote:

>Pretty similar, though. :-)

>It's been awhile, though, and I can't remember the difference between the

>8088 and 8086 anymore. I seem to remember 20-bit *addressing*, and a 16

>bit word size for the *data* bus.

16 bit word size, which meant that they used a kludge to get 20-bit

(1MB) addressing. A program on that machine set a base register first.

Then the contents of that would be left-shifted four bytes (multiplied

by 16) and added to whatever 16-bit address was specified in the

instruction. That was segmented memory: if you moved more than 64KB

from your base, you had to reset the base register. If made address

arithmetic ... interesting.

In the 80286 protected mode, there was still a base register, but it

now held an index into the "Global Selector Table". The OS (maybe the

hardware?) would go to that table to find the base address to add to

the 16-bit offset in the instruction. Address arithmetic became even

more interesting.

--

Tim Slattery

MS MVP(Shell/User)

Slattery_T@bls.gov

http://members.cox.net/slatteryt

August 1, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

Bill in Co. wrote:

> M.I.5¾ wrote:

>

>>"Bob I" <birelan@yahoo.com> wrote in message

>>news:%23sCL9A18IHA.356@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>

>>Bill in Co. wrote:

>>

>>>Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

>>>

>>>>On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:56:13 +0100, "M.I.5¾"

>>>><no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

>>>>

>>>>>"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

>>>>>news:7o5294pkro0kbun757ct26s2g1n93u8vf3@4ax.com...

>>>>>

>>>>>>On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

>>>>>>wrote:

>>>>>>

>>>>>>>Hi

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

>>>>>>> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

>>>>>>> How do I know?

>>>>>>

>>>>>>x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

>>>>>>

>>>>>>The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

>>>>>>32-bit (x86).

>>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>For the curious: x86 is a reference to the x86 series of processors

>>>>>which

>>>>>started with the intel 8086 processor (which was a 16 bit processor and

>>>>>wouldn't be able to run a 32 bit operating system).

>>>>

>>>>And interestingly was never used in a PC. The first PC used an 8088

>>>>instead.

>>>

>>>Pretty similar, though. :-)

>>>It's been awhile, though, and I can't remember the difference between the

>>>8088 and 8086 anymore. I seem to remember 20-bit *addressing*, and a

>>>16

>>>bit word size for the *data* bus.

>>>

>>

>>Yep, the 8088 only had an 8 bit memory bus as compared the 16 bit bus on

>>the 8086.

>

> You mean the external *data bus*. (the term "memory bus" is a bit

> ambiguous to me)

Correct, the EXTERNAL connection, internally they were both 16 bit.

>

> What about the address bus? Well, they both had 20 bit addressing, as I

> recall, so I presume that meant both had twenty *actual* address lines (i.e.

> A0 thru A19), (unless some tricks were used, an example of which is noted

> below).

>

> This just reminded me; one of these older chips had a *multiplexed* address

> and data bus! I think it was the 8085. What a mess. (Well, ok,

> not exactly, as it was sorted out to the outside world by another chip).

>

>>IIRC it was a "economy" issue that lead to that decision about

>>the CPU for the IBM PC.

>

> Yup.

>

>>---------------

>>

>>Indeed. The IBM PC was an every expense spared design as IBM considered

>>that they were unlikely to sell more than half a million. They turned out

>>to be right, but their competitors, who were able to easily clone the

>>design, sold millions. Many of their competitors (including Amstrad - not

>>noted for splashing out) used the 8086 and produced machines that

>>outperformed the IBM.

>

> And the very first IBM PC's didn't even have a floppy drive, as I recall

> (one had to use an external cassette for storage). And then came the 5.25

> inch drive(s).

>

August 1, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

On Fri, 1 Aug 2008 08:24:37 +0100, "M.I.5¾"

<no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

>

> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

> news:9td49451cfd3ii00pl50ag2stsoa4015k3@4ax.com...

> > The major difference is that the 8088 was 8-bit and the 8086 16-bit.

> >

>

> That's not quite true. The 8088 was as much a 16 bit processor as the

> 8086 - at least internally. The difference lay in the width of the external

> data bus. The 8088 used an 8 bit data bus whereas the 8086 used a 16 bit

> bus.

Yes, that's correct. I was trying to be brief, so I eliminated that

detail.

Thanks.

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

August 1, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

On Fri, 1 Aug 2008 08:02:20 +0100, "M.I.5¾"

<no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

>

> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

> news:fah394pd7d476sb21pifdif108ddn1d2a1@4ax.com...

> > On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:56:13 +0100, "M.I.5¾"

> > <no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

> >

> >>

> >> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

> >> news:7o5294pkro0kbun757ct26s2g1n93u8vf3@4ax.com...

> >> > On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

> >> > wrote:

> >> >

> >> >> Hi

> >> >>

> >> >> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

> >> >> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

> >> >> How do I know?

> >> >

> >> > x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

> >> >

> >> > The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

> >> > 32-bit (x86).

> >> >

> >>

> >> For the curious: x86 is a reference to the x86 series of processors which

> >> started with the intel 8086 processor (which was a 16 bit processor and

> >> wouldn't be able to run a 32 bit operating system).

> >

> > And interestingly was never used in a PC. The first PC used an 8088

> > instead.

> >

>

> Not correct. Although the *first* PCs did indeed use an 8088, there were

> plenty of PCs that were fitted with 8086 processors

As I said earlier in another message, yes, if you mean "PC"

generically, that's correct. I was referring specifically to the IBM

PC.

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

August 2, 2008

Re: XP (x86) or (x64)

Bob I wrote:

> Bill in Co. wrote:

>

>> M.I.5¾ wrote:

>>

>>> "Bob I" <birelan@yahoo.com> wrote in message

>>> news:%23sCL9A18IHA.356@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>

>>> Bill in Co. wrote:

>>>

>>>> Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

>>>>

>>>>> On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:56:13 +0100, "M.I.5¾"

>>>>> <no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

>>>>>

>>>>>> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

>>>>>> news:7o5294pkro0kbun757ct26s2g1n93u8vf3@4ax.com...

>>>>>>

>>>>>>> On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:43 -0700 (PDT), Mike

>>>>>>> <SulfateIon@gmail.com>

>>>>>>> wrote:

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>> Hi

>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>> I'd like to know what Windows XP (x86) and Windows XP (x64) are?

>>>>>>>> I use Windows XP, but I don't know which one I use.

>>>>>>>> How do I know?

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>> x86 is 32-bit Windows, and x64 is 64-bit Windows.

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>> The answer, for almost everyone who has to ask, is that you using

>>>>>>> 32-bit (x86).

>>>>>>

>>>>>> For the curious: x86 is a reference to the x86 series of processors

>>>>>> which

>>>>>> started with the intel 8086 processor (which was a 16 bit processor

>>>>>> and

>>>>>> wouldn't be able to run a 32 bit operating system).

>>>>>

>>>>> And interestingly was never used in a PC. The first PC used an 8088

>>>>> instead.

>>>>

>>>> Pretty similar, though. :-)

>>>> It's been awhile, though, and I can't remember the difference between

>>>> the

>>>> 8088 and 8086 anymore. I seem to remember 20-bit *addressing*, and a

>>>> 16 bit word size for the *data* bus.

>>>

>>> Yep, the 8088 only had an 8 bit memory bus as compared the 16 bit bus on

>>> the 8086.

>>

>> You mean the external *data bus*. (the term "memory bus" is a bit

>> ambiguous to me)

>

> Correct, the EXTERNAL connection, internally they were both 16 bit.

So the 8086 had an external 16 bit data bus, which was a bit more expensive

to utilize (and required 16 individual lines), instead of the 8 bit data bus

of the 8088 (and most other chips at that time).

What I was also getting at is that RAM memory (or ROM memory) has both an

*address* bus AND a *data* bus connected to it, so the term "memory bus" is

a bit ambiguous (at least to me).

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