Novice needs help

[Guest Nurmi]

I recently hat a PC built for me. I was told a 64 is faster than a 32

whatever that mens. I want to up-date to vista and don't know which version

to buy.

My processor is an AMD Athlon 64. Does this mean it is a "64"?

Thanks for the help!

Nurmi

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Novice needs help

 

Yes. The cpu is a 64bit processor. You may run either 32bit or 64bit Vista

on it. You need to give the specs for your system and how you use a

computer before any one can suggest which way you should go.

 

"Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:6B308F1E-9AF2-40DC-96E5-410F5FFFF5DF@microsoft.com...

>I recently hat a PC built for me. I was told a 64 is faster than a 32

> whatever that mens. I want to up-date to vista and don't know which

> version

> to buy.

> My processor is an AMD Athlon 64. Does this mean it is a "64"?

> Thanks for the help!

> Nurmi

[Guest Nurmi]

Re: Novice needs help

 

Thanks Collin, I hope below is what you need to know?

2.00 gigaherz AMD Athlon 64, 256 kilobyte primary memorty cahce, 1024

kilobyte secondary memory cache. 102.36 Gb Hard Drive free Space,

Main Circuit Board: Board: NF-Ck804, BusClock 201 meghertz, BIOS: Phoenix

Technologies, LTD6.00 PG 08/05.2005.

Memory Modules: 1024 Megabytes Installed Memory.

Controllers: STandard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller, Standard Open

HCD USB Host Controller.

Communication: NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller, primary Auto IP Address,

Networking Dns Servers.

Display: RADEON X550 [Display adapter], RADEON X550 Secondary [Display

adapter] Samsung Sync Master [Monitor] 19.1 vis, s/n HVEV801745, August 2005.

I have no idea what all this means, hope though it qualifies for Vista?

I am retired and use the PC mainly for e-mail, research, music, video and

still pics,

I have one more question: What is the difference between a 32 and a 64?

Thanks Nurmi

 

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

> Yes. The cpu is a 64bit processor. You may run either 32bit or 64bit Vista

> on it. You need to give the specs for your system and how you use a

> computer before any one can suggest which way you should go.

>

> "Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:6B308F1E-9AF2-40DC-96E5-410F5FFFF5DF@microsoft.com...

> >I recently hat a PC built for me. I was told a 64 is faster than a 32

> > whatever that mens. I want to up-date to vista and don't know which

> > version

> > to buy.

> > My processor is an AMD Athlon 64. Does this mean it is a "64"?

> > Thanks for the help!

> > Nurmi

>

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Novice needs help

 

First, as to the difference between 32bit and 64bit Vista, start with the

FAQ at

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/41531554-d5ef-4f2c-8fb9-149bdc5c8a701033.mspx

 

I think you are pretty much OK to do Vista, but I have a few questions.

 

Do you know who manufactured the motherboard? (several companies have

NF-Ck804 boards)

Can you afford to increase the memory to 2GB? This is important.

What is the size of the hdd (I know there is 102.36 free)? You can look in

My Computer. Right click on the drive icon and choose properties.

Drivers for both 32bit and 64bit Vista are available for the Radeon X550

cards but we need the mobo mfg or make and model number of the computer

itself to see if other drivers are available. I am almost certain that they

are.

 

I think you will be fine with Vista Home Premium (32bit). You can review

the editions at

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx

I cannot recommend Vista Home Basic. It does not have enough features for

my liking.

 

When you buy a retail copy of Vista Home Premium you get the 32bit dvd in

the box and you can send for the 64bit dvd for $9.95 so you could change

your mind later and reinstall the 64bit version. The one product key that

comes with a retail copy of Vista works for both dvds. You can run either

version but not both at the same time.

 

Download and run the Vista Upgrade Advisor to get a list of things you are

running now that may not work after an upgrade. I think the list may be

pretty short.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx?wt_svl=20409a&mg_id=20409b

 

 

 

"Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:788D6E40-DB79-42BF-9536-A594AF5E582F@microsoft.com...

> Thanks Collin, I hope below is what you need to know?

> 2.00 gigaherz AMD Athlon 64, 256 kilobyte primary memorty cahce, 1024

> kilobyte secondary memory cache. 102.36 Gb Hard Drive free Space,

> Main Circuit Board: Board: NF-Ck804, BusClock 201 meghertz, BIOS: Phoenix

> Technologies, LTD6.00 PG 08/05.2005.

> Memory Modules: 1024 Megabytes Installed Memory.

> Controllers: STandard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller, Standard Open

> HCD USB Host Controller.

> Communication: NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller, primary Auto IP

> Address,

> Networking Dns Servers.

> Display: RADEON X550 [Display adapter], RADEON X550 Secondary [Display

> adapter] Samsung Sync Master [Monitor] 19.1 vis, s/n HVEV801745, August

> 2005.

> I have no idea what all this means, hope though it qualifies for Vista?

> I am retired and use the PC mainly for e-mail, research, music, video and

> still pics,

> I have one more question: What is the difference between a 32 and a 64?

> Thanks Nurmi

>

> "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

>

>> Yes. The cpu is a 64bit processor. You may run either 32bit or 64bit

>> Vista

>> on it. You need to give the specs for your system and how you use a

>> computer before any one can suggest which way you should go.

>>

>> "Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:6B308F1E-9AF2-40DC-96E5-410F5FFFF5DF@microsoft.com...

>> >I recently hat a PC built for me. I was told a 64 is faster than a 32

>> > whatever that mens. I want to up-date to vista and don't know which

>> > version

>> > to buy.

>> > My processor is an AMD Athlon 64. Does this mean it is a "64"?

>> > Thanks for the help!

>> > Nurmi

>>

[Guest Tony Sperling]

Re: Novice needs help

 

What most people - and indeed the FAQ seems to prioritize, when describing

the differences between 32 and 64bit is the memory. While this is entirely

correct, it often doesn't tell us mere mortals how that relates to our own

situation.

 

When I tell friends and relatives that the difference is analog to your

local Free-way that you use to go from A to B, they tend to look like they

just found the light-switch.

 

If you are on that free-way at times when it is mostly filled up, doubling

the number of lanes will allow you to travel a lot faster at those times. If

the lanes are mostly empty at those times, making the extension will have no

effect at all for you.

 

So, the 'bitness' has no inherent speed factor to it, it is the width of the

data-path and that determines how much data you can pass along over a unit

of time. If you have enough data, your job will finish more quickly.

 

So, if what you do on a normal day seems to bog down the machine and make it

sluggish, you may want to up the memory to 2Gb, as Colin says. It is

doubtful if you would have much use of 4Gb or more, so a 32bit system is

probably quite allright in your situation.

 

Personally, I have XP Pro x64 and no, I do not need it from the technical

point-of-view. Thanks to the folks here I managed to build a system that

hasn't given me any headache (not much anyway). I think it's the best OS MS

has ever made, and I have decided not to go for Vista at this time. If I

were, it would certainly be 32bit.

 

The machine isn't going to care much if you run one or the other, and the OS

isn't going to care either if you are not going to buy any 64bit software in

the near future. A time will come when everything we run will be 64bit (or

more?) and then the difference will be essential. Untill that time, most

users tend to have fewer problems (and much less confusion) from a 32bit

system.

 

 

Tony. . .

[Guest Nurmi]

Re: Novice needs help

 

Hello Tony, you first since you came last. Thank you for this apt analogy.

It intend to give it some more thought before I get caught up in the hype

about keeping up with the Jones. I have yet to run out of memory, so for the

time being I shall keep what I have, try to keep the adware and viruses out,

and enjoy Win XP.

 

Thank you Collin.

 

 

> What most people - and indeed the FAQ seems to prioritize, when describing

> the differences between 32 and 64bit is the memory. While this is entirely

> correct, it often doesn't tell us mere mortals how that relates to our own

> situation.

>

> When I tell friends and relatives that the difference is analog to your

> local Free-way that you use to go from A to B, they tend to look like they

> just found the light-switch.

>

> If you are on that free-way at times when it is mostly filled up, doubling

> the number of lanes will allow you to travel a lot faster at those times. If

> the lanes are mostly empty at those times, making the extension will have no

> effect at all for you.

>

> So, the 'bitness' has no inherent speed factor to it, it is the width of the

> data-path and that determines how much data you can pass along over a unit

> of time. If you have enough data, your job will finish more quickly.

>

> So, if what you do on a normal day seems to bog down the machine and make it

> sluggish, you may want to up the memory to 2Gb, as Colin says. It is

> doubtful if you would have much use of 4Gb or more, so a 32bit system is

> probably quite allright in your situation.

>

> Personally, I have XP Pro x64 and no, I do not need it from the technical

> point-of-view. Thanks to the folks here I managed to build a system that

> hasn't given me any headache (not much anyway). I think it's the best OS MS

> has ever made, and I have decided not to go for Vista at this time. If I

> were, it would certainly be 32bit.

>

> The machine isn't going to care much if you run one or the other, and the OS

> isn't going to care either if you are not going to buy any 64bit software in

> the near future. A time will come when everything we run will be 64bit (or

> more?) and then the difference will be essential. Untill that time, most

> users tend to have fewer problems (and much less confusion) from a 32bit

> system.

>

>

> Tony. . .

>

>

>

[Guest Nurmi]

Re: Novice needs help

 

Thank you for the time your took and the attention you gave to my question.

Tony explained the difference between the 64 and 32 bit I agree with his

advice to keep what I have for the moment. However I would like to know if

the following identifies the manufacturer of the board: "NF4 KAC-RS-1.0 ?

Total harddrive space is 250GB. Where do I find the mobo mfg or make and

model number of the computer? This would be background info, since Toni has

convinced me to keep what I have. So if you are short on time, you need not

answer.

I wish both of you and your families a Green and Happy Easter Season!

Nurmi

 

 

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

> First, as to the difference between 32bit and 64bit Vista, start with the

> FAQ at

> http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/41531554-d5ef-4f2c-8fb9-149bdc5c8a701033.mspx

>

> I think you are pretty much OK to do Vista, but I have a few questions.

>

> Do you know who manufactured the motherboard? (several companies have

> NF-Ck804 boards)

> Can you afford to increase the memory to 2GB? This is important.

> What is the size of the hdd (I know there is 102.36 free)? You can look in

> My Computer. Right click on the drive icon and choose properties.

> Drivers for both 32bit and 64bit Vista are available for the Radeon X550

> cards but we need the mobo mfg or make and model number of the computer

> itself to see if other drivers are available. I am almost certain that they

> are.

>

> I think you will be fine with Vista Home Premium (32bit). You can review

> the editions at

> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx

> I cannot recommend Vista Home Basic. It does not have enough features for

> my liking.

>

> When you buy a retail copy of Vista Home Premium you get the 32bit dvd in

> the box and you can send for the 64bit dvd for $9.95 so you could change

> your mind later and reinstall the 64bit version. The one product key that

> comes with a retail copy of Vista works for both dvds. You can run either

> version but not both at the same time.

>

> Download and run the Vista Upgrade Advisor to get a list of things you are

> running now that may not work after an upgrade. I think the list may be

> pretty short.

> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx?wt_svl=20409a&mg_id=20409b

>

>

>

> "Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:788D6E40-DB79-42BF-9536-A594AF5E582F@microsoft.com...

> > Thanks Collin, I hope below is what you need to know?

> > 2.00 gigaherz AMD Athlon 64, 256 kilobyte primary memorty cahce, 1024

> > kilobyte secondary memory cache. 102.36 Gb Hard Drive free Space,

> > Main Circuit Board: Board: NF-Ck804, BusClock 201 meghertz, BIOS: Phoenix

> > Technologies, LTD6.00 PG 08/05.2005.

> > Memory Modules: 1024 Megabytes Installed Memory.

> > Controllers: STandard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller, Standard Open

> > HCD USB Host Controller.

> > Communication: NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller, primary Auto IP

> > Address,

> > Networking Dns Servers.

> > Display: RADEON X550 [Display adapter], RADEON X550 Secondary [Display

> > adapter] Samsung Sync Master [Monitor] 19.1 vis, s/n HVEV801745, August

> > 2005.

> > I have no idea what all this means, hope though it qualifies for Vista?

> > I am retired and use the PC mainly for e-mail, research, music, video and

> > still pics,

> > I have one more question: What is the difference between a 32 and a 64?

> > Thanks Nurmi

> >

> > "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

> >

> >> Yes. The cpu is a 64bit processor. You may run either 32bit or 64bit

> >> Vista

> >> on it. You need to give the specs for your system and how you use a

> >> computer before any one can suggest which way you should go.

> >>

> >> "Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> >> news:6B308F1E-9AF2-40DC-96E5-410F5FFFF5DF@microsoft.com...

> >> >I recently hat a PC built for me. I was told a 64 is faster than a 32

> >> > whatever that mens. I want to up-date to vista and don't know which

> >> > version

> >> > to buy.

> >> > My processor is an AMD Athlon 64. Does this mean it is a "64"?

> >> > Thanks for the help!

> >> > Nurmi

> >>

>

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Novice needs help

 

Ask the person who built it for you.

 

"Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:0DA315CC-C7EC-4B2C-B609-4DEFA735FACB@microsoft.com...

> Thank you for the time your took and the attention you gave to my

> question.

> Tony explained the difference between the 64 and 32 bit I agree with his

> advice to keep what I have for the moment. However I would like to know

> if

> the following identifies the manufacturer of the board: "NF4 KAC-RS-1.0 ?

> Total harddrive space is 250GB. Where do I find the mobo mfg or make and

> model number of the computer? This would be background info, since Toni

> has

> convinced me to keep what I have. So if you are short on time, you need

> not

> answer.

> I wish both of you and your families a Green and Happy Easter Season!

> Nurmi

>

>

> "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

>

>> First, as to the difference between 32bit and 64bit Vista, start with the

>> FAQ at

>> http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/41531554-d5ef-4f2c-8fb9-149bdc5c8a701033.mspx

>>

>> I think you are pretty much OK to do Vista, but I have a few questions.

>>

>> Do you know who manufactured the motherboard? (several companies have

>> NF-Ck804 boards)

>> Can you afford to increase the memory to 2GB? This is important.

>> What is the size of the hdd (I know there is 102.36 free)? You can look

>> in

>> My Computer. Right click on the drive icon and choose properties.

>> Drivers for both 32bit and 64bit Vista are available for the Radeon X550

>> cards but we need the mobo mfg or make and model number of the computer

>> itself to see if other drivers are available. I am almost certain that

>> they

>> are.

>>

>> I think you will be fine with Vista Home Premium (32bit). You can review

>> the editions at

>> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx

>> I cannot recommend Vista Home Basic. It does not have enough features

>> for

>> my liking.

>>

>> When you buy a retail copy of Vista Home Premium you get the 32bit dvd in

>> the box and you can send for the 64bit dvd for $9.95 so you could change

>> your mind later and reinstall the 64bit version. The one product key

>> that

>> comes with a retail copy of Vista works for both dvds. You can run

>> either

>> version but not both at the same time.

>>

>> Download and run the Vista Upgrade Advisor to get a list of things you

>> are

>> running now that may not work after an upgrade. I think the list may be

>> pretty short.

>> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx?wt_svl=20409a&mg_id=20409b

>>

>>

>>

>> "Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:788D6E40-DB79-42BF-9536-A594AF5E582F@microsoft.com...

>> > Thanks Collin, I hope below is what you need to know?

>> > 2.00 gigaherz AMD Athlon 64, 256 kilobyte primary memorty cahce, 1024

>> > kilobyte secondary memory cache. 102.36 Gb Hard Drive free Space,

>> > Main Circuit Board: Board: NF-Ck804, BusClock 201 meghertz, BIOS:

>> > Phoenix

>> > Technologies, LTD6.00 PG 08/05.2005.

>> > Memory Modules: 1024 Megabytes Installed Memory.

>> > Controllers: STandard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller, Standard

>> > Open

>> > HCD USB Host Controller.

>> > Communication: NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller, primary Auto IP

>> > Address,

>> > Networking Dns Servers.

>> > Display: RADEON X550 [Display adapter], RADEON X550 Secondary [Display

>> > adapter] Samsung Sync Master [Monitor] 19.1 vis, s/n HVEV801745, August

>> > 2005.

>> > I have no idea what all this means, hope though it qualifies for Vista?

>> > I am retired and use the PC mainly for e-mail, research, music, video

>> > and

>> > still pics,

>> > I have one more question: What is the difference between a 32 and a 64?

>> > Thanks Nurmi

>> >

>> > "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

>> >

>> >> Yes. The cpu is a 64bit processor. You may run either 32bit or 64bit

>> >> Vista

>> >> on it. You need to give the specs for your system and how you use a

>> >> computer before any one can suggest which way you should go.

>> >>

>> >> "Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> >> news:6B308F1E-9AF2-40DC-96E5-410F5FFFF5DF@microsoft.com...

>> >> >I recently hat a PC built for me. I was told a 64 is faster than a

>> >> >32

>> >> > whatever that mens. I want to up-date to vista and don't know which

>> >> > version

>> >> > to buy.

>> >> > My processor is an AMD Athlon 64. Does this mean it is a "64"?

>> >> > Thanks for the help!

>> >> > Nurmi

>> >>

>>

[Guest Tony Sperling]

Re: Novice needs help

 

You might as well, Collin - let the Jone's pay for their own experiences.

There is allways a fair bit of new ideas to wrap your head around with a

technology change.

 

You will in all likelihood need Blue-Ray sooner than a 64bit OS?

 

 

Tony. . .

 

 

"Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:D4913510-757A-4CCF-BE34-069DC953BEF8@microsoft.com...

> Hello Tony, you first since you came last. Thank you for this apt analogy.

> It intend to give it some more thought before I get caught up in the hype

> about keeping up with the Jones. I have yet to run out of memory, so for

the

> time being I shall keep what I have, try to keep the adware and viruses

out,

> and enjoy Win XP.

>

> Thank you Collin.

>

>

>

> > What most people - and indeed the FAQ seems to prioritize, when

describing

> > the differences between 32 and 64bit is the memory. While this is

entirely

> > correct, it often doesn't tell us mere mortals how that relates to our

own

> > situation.

> >

> > When I tell friends and relatives that the difference is analog to your

> > local Free-way that you use to go from A to B, they tend to look like

they

> > just found the light-switch.

> >

> > If you are on that free-way at times when it is mostly filled up,

doubling

> > the number of lanes will allow you to travel a lot faster at those

times. If

> > the lanes are mostly empty at those times, making the extension will

have no

> > effect at all for you.

> >

> > So, the 'bitness' has no inherent speed factor to it, it is the width of

the

> > data-path and that determines how much data you can pass along over a

unit

> > of time. If you have enough data, your job will finish more quickly.

> >

> > So, if what you do on a normal day seems to bog down the machine and

make it

> > sluggish, you may want to up the memory to 2Gb, as Colin says. It is

> > doubtful if you would have much use of 4Gb or more, so a 32bit system is

> > probably quite allright in your situation.

> >

> > Personally, I have XP Pro x64 and no, I do not need it from the

technical

> > point-of-view. Thanks to the folks here I managed to build a system that

> > hasn't given me any headache (not much anyway). I think it's the best OS

MS

> > has ever made, and I have decided not to go for Vista at this time. If I

> > were, it would certainly be 32bit.

> >

> > The machine isn't going to care much if you run one or the other, and

the OS

> > isn't going to care either if you are not going to buy any 64bit

software in

> > the near future. A time will come when everything we run will be 64bit

(or

> > more?) and then the difference will be essential. Untill that time, most

> > users tend to have fewer problems (and much less confusion) from a 32bit

> > system.

> >

> >

> > Tony. . .

> >

> >

> >