Solved New to 64 bit

[huffman]

I have been using Windows 7 Pro (32 bit) and yesterday I became the owner of a desttop PC with Windows 7 Ultimate (64 bit).

I have never delt with a 64 bit OS so I have some questions about software that can and cannot be used with 64 bit.

I think I have pieces of software that will work without difficulty:
Nitro PDF Professional (x64)
Revo Uninstaller Pro v2.4.3

Over the years I have bought a lot of software (32 bit) that I don't want to have to buy again. I suspect a lot of this software can be installed using the compatibility mode.

Here is list of some of the software (32 bit) that I want to use:
Audacity (free one but is there a 64 bit version)
Bit Torrent (free one but is there a 64 bit version)
VLC (is there a 64 bit version)
Calibre (for my ebook reader)
Dreamweaver (two years old)
Office 2003
Newsbin version 4 (yes it is old but works great with win 7 pro 32 bit)
Quickpar v.9
Cyberlink Power DVD v 9
Smart Defrag (is there a 64 bit version)

There are probably more.

I know in here there tutorials on how to:
Install Themes (I know how on 32 but NOT 64 bit)
Take ownership

If someone could send me in the right direction on those I would appreciate it.

I am also sure there will be more questions but this will get me started.

Thank you

 

[z3r010]

Just forget that it's x64 and just think of it as Windows 7 and go about your installing software as you would on any other PC, I dont think I've seen any problems running 32bit on x64 since the early Vista days.

 

[fireberd]

Most 32 bit software will work OK. There may be some that are not compatible or will have to be run in a compatibility more, for example XP mode. But, the majority will not be a problem.

I have lots of 32 bit applications installed and running OK, including MS Office 2003, Pro Tools MP9, Audacity, etc.

 

[strollin]

One thing to take note of is that on a 64-bit system you will have 2 folders, \Program Files and \Program Files(x86). 64-bit programs will be installed into \Program files while 32-bit programs will be installed in \Program Files(x86). Windows will handle this transparently so don't worry about it but be aware of it should you stumble across these 2 folders while exploring the disk. As others have said, the great majority of 32-bit programs will install on a 32-bit system with no special consideration.

 

[gigagiggles]

I can only speak of one: VLC.

From VideoLan, there is a 2.0.2 64-bit version with a 64-bit plug-in for a 64-bit browser. The 32-bit version is 2.0.3. Don't know if the gap will grow wider, or the upgrade path will merge further down the line.

 

[huffman]

Thanks guys that answers a lot of my questions.

One question I did think of is about drivers for things such as printers and scanners.

My printer I do not have to worry about since in updates it had the drivers for my old printer.

I have a Cannon N670U flatbed scanner. As far as I know the only drivers that are available from Cannon are the Vista drivers. These worked fine in Win 7 pro 32 bit as long as I ran them in the compatibility mode.

Will these work for Win 7 64 bit?

 

[z3r010]

You would need 64bit drivers and there doesn't look like there is any for that scanner as it's pretty old.

 

[CB]

If lucky enough (sometimes) Windows itself is capable to recognize the printer type and find closest matches driver when you connect it and turn the printer on.
Did try it?

 

[huffman]

Kevin Ismail

The printer is not an issue since the drivers for it were in the updates. The issue is the Old Scanner (which works fine in Win 7 Pro 32 bit).

I will have to look around and see if I can find a cheap scanner (with 64 bit drivers) at either Goodwill or Salvation Army.

 

[CB]

Sorry for didn't catch your post, I thought a printer scanner series.
If Windows 64-bit didn't detect any possible matching driver, yes you have to find a newer one.

Btw I was lucky having an old HP scanner being recognized by it without installing any driver.

 

[huffman]

Actually two more questions:

I have always used K-lite mega codec with Windows mainly because it installs Media Player Classic which I like. I don't really think this should matter since it just identifies the media type and should not affect how my OS runs.

Also does Firefox have a 64 bit version. I use it for downloading video clips. I would think would not matter either but one never knows.

 

[TypeR]

I too am a big fan of K-lite codec pack, been using it for years.

Firefox do have a 64 bit version:-

Firefox 64-bit

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'm using K-Lite and Media Player Classic on a 64-bit machine. Both 32-bit versions.

I'm also using 32-bit Firefox. I don't know if there is a 64-bit version--but you don't need it.

 

[z3r010]

I too am a big fan of K-lite codec pack, been using it for years.

Firefox do have a 64 bit version:-

Firefox 64-bit

I dont think I've installed a codec pack since XP, Win7 & VLC plays everything I come across out of the box.

 

[CB]

If you need to Download K-Lite Codec Pack 64-bit 9.2.0

 

[TypeR]

IMHO MPC + ffdshow produce a much better picture than VLC, which I think highlights any compression artifacts in the source material.

I've seen plenty of low bitrate 1080p video in VLC that makes it look worse than a SD Divx encode.

 

[CB]

I haven't tried VLC but running Free JetAudio Basic added with K-Lite codec never have any issue on playing almost all types of AV files.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Audacity (free one but is there a 64 bit version)Should be fine
Bit Torrent (free one but is there a 64 bit version)Should be fine
VLC (is there a 64 bit version)Should be fine
Calibre (for my ebook reader)Should be fine
Dreamweaver (two years old)Should be fine
Office 2003Should be fine
Newsbin version 4 (yes it is old but works great with win 7 pro 32 bit)Not sure
Quickpar v.9Not sure
Cyberlink Power DVD v 9Not needed, as Windows 7 plays DVDs and so does VLC.
Smart Defrag (is there a 64 bit version)Not needed. Just use built-in defragger

My answers are in blue. I wouldn't mess with themes, either, if they require editing the OS. No point in causing stability issues. Use approved themes, or don't bother.

 

[huffman]

Thanks guy I think I have enough information now to make intelligent decisions.

BTW I have used Microsoft Themes for years on Win 7 Pro 32 bit along with the Universal Theme Patcher and it has worked great for me.

 

[DeaconFrost]

BTW I have used Microsoft Themes for years on Win 7 Pro 32 bit along with the Universal Theme Patcher and it has worked great for me.

We've seen quite a number of threads where people ended up repairing their OS or reinstalling due to editing themes. I never see the need to take chances with my stability like that.