Off topic gamer question

[Alpha90]

Im making a dual boot system on my win 7 to play older video games that wont work on win 7. But i can’t decide would win XP pro 32 bit or 64 bit be better. 32 bit limits my memory usage to less than one Dimm of my total memory (spread across all 4 dimms i imagine) but 32 is compatible with a lot. XP 64 bit if i remember correctly was made as an afterthought for businesses that need 64 bit capacity. It runs solidly but there is little in the way of any sort of official or unofficial support. As gamers which would you choose?

 

[Lomai]

Hi

The primary question is as to whether or not the game will take advantage of the x64 functionality. If not, then go with x86 knowing the limitations that you have alluded to.
BTW, have you tried running those games under compatibility mode in Windows 7?

Hope this helps in some way and Happy New Year

Regards

 

[metalmania31]

If you need to run a game on winxp then 32 bit should the obvious way to go. Back when winXp was at it's height almost all software was made 32 bit so running 64 bit wouldn't net you any thing worth while. Are you dual booting on the same hdd or separate hdd? You'd have much less issues if you installed each OS on different hdd's. Especially if Win7 is your main install.

 

[Alpha90]

Nope none of what I want to install will take advantage of a 64 bit processor.

To answer your question metalmania32 I am using a separate hdd I don’t believe in multiple partitions on a single hard drive that road just leads to problems

 

[Alpha90]

Oh and yes i have tried to use compatibility mode but no dice I’ve tried working around the problem with batch scripts but it only goes so far... plus i can’t figure out how to get dos box to work so i cant install anything with a 16 bit installer

 

[Lomai]

I note you are running 7 Pro.
Have you tried using XP Mode

Regards

 

[M1GU31]

go with 32bit because 64bit only has SP1 and doesn't support sp2 and sp3 that gave me problems so i used 32bit in my duo boot x64 has more compatibly issues because of microsofts poor support of win xp x64 go 32bit

 

[TrecaaBade]

I'm trying to do the same thing but I've run into problems, oh how fun the life of computing is. got it to work once lol