Need Help With Deciding on a New OS

[e46m]

Sorry if this is the wrong section for this type of question; I'm ok with a move if it's a appropriate. The efforts are in attempts to better my multi-boxing experience, though!

I'm not very computer-literate, so I need some help upgrading from a 32-bit OS to a 64-bit OS. I have a 64-bit processer in my computer, but I'm running Windows XP Media Center Edition, which is only 32-bit. I purchased 8Gigs of RAM, and eventually figured out it won't support more than 2.5Gigs, hence the reason I'm upgrading.

Is there a publicly available 64-bit version of Windows XP Professional, or do I have to get Windows Vista? I've searched on Google, but all I can find is a "system builders edition". Could someone with more experience please give me a link to a site that sells Windows XP Professional 64-bit Edition, or Windows Vista 64-bit Edition, if neccesary.

Thanks a bunch.

[e46m]

/whistle

[Tynk]

While research is always a good place to start, I will throw this out there.
There is a version of windows XP 64. It is not well known and even less distributed though as the implementation of choice was an attempt at a conversion from XP 32 to XP 64. While admirable, this was a very daunting task and Microsoft failed at it. The driver implementation did not go well, many hardware manufacturers would not make new drivers as they knew Vista was on the horizon, so the devices that did work in XP 64 generaly were not using the 64 bit capabilities, the same would go to the applications.
The memory management for the OS was deffinately functional but ran into the same issue as the hardware that most app writers were not bothering to code 64 bit XP apps when they were told a complete rewrite would be needed for Vista.

So unfortunately what it comes down to for 64 bit Operating systems is, you are either stuck with Windows Vista, need to buy new hardware (read entirely new computer) and go with Mac OS X, or dive into the deep end with a 64 bit Linux Kernal (with your statement of "I'm not very computer-literate" I would not recomend 64 bit Linux.

[entoptic]

I just upgrade from Windwox XP 64 bit to Vista 64 and OMG I take everything back that I ever said about Vista.

Not only does everything run WAY better but my blue ray player will not work with Win XP 64 bit. That was the main reason for upgrading.

I fully support Vista 64 bit now. (I can't believe I just said that)

It's totally seemless and if you can get over the hand holding vista has then you will see a solid O/S

[Freddie]

Vista 64 is much better than XP. I have to use both for work, booting back and forth from one to the other, and I feel like I'm wading into knee deep mud when I leave Vista and boot into XP.

[krum]

Vista 64. Make sure to get at least 6GB of RAM in the machine, preferably 8GB.

[wowphreak]

win xp 32 supports up to 4 gigs.
if yer gonna get more then 4 gigs go with vista64

At this point getting xp64 wouldnt be worth the hassle

[Zakalwe]

If you're after what the different versions are try here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...s/default.aspx

I've run Vista Business 64-bit since April and have not had nay issues with it at all, its great!
Things have definetely improved since the release of Service Pack 1 and it's totally different since it was first released.
Driver support is now almost a non-issue unless you have very old hardware and you get to take full advantage of all your physical memory.

So yeah, get Vista 64-bit! 8)

[e46m]

It warranted a new thread because this is a forum, not my personal blog.

The questions posed in the two seperate threads were totally different, thus they warranted unique topics.

Maybe you could just try and assist me with my problem instead of lock my attempts at trying to get help :/

[Harem]

Not to invoke the wrath of the mods but...

New thread because it is a different topic.