Windows XP pro/home or 64-bit?

[Cazinkle]

I'm getting a new pc and I have the option of getting XP pro/home or 64-bit. On the LW pages, it says Windows XP, so does this include 64-bit?

[Silkrooster]

64 bit version is still in beta. I do not know what the date will be for the gold version. The 64 bit version of windows should run the 32 bit version of lightwave, but I have not heard much about this yet. I did hear someone mention that the sentenial driver needed to be 64 bit, but none existed yet. So check with Sentenial before you make up your mind.
Silk

[kilvano]

I had 64-bit on my machine for a while

Its still way to buggy to be used everyday, installing games and some image editing packages was impossible.

I eventually had to go back to normal XP pro.

[IgnusFast]

I have to disagree with the previous poster-- I've found Windows XP 64-bit to be extremely stable. I run Lightwave (which is much more stable than on the Mac), Photoshop, and Firefox daily. I've also played a bunch of games on it, including Far Cry 64, Half-Life 2, WoW, Dungeon Siege, Sim City 4, Halo, and Need For Speed: Underground.

The biggest problem with this OS is the lack of drivers. The new driver model *requires* that drivers be recompiled with a 64-bit compiler, which many manufacturers haven't done. There's good support from NVidia, ATI, and Realtek, but some of the common peripheral manufacturers (cough, HP) haven't bothered to release drivers.

FPrime also doesn't appear to work due to changes in the beta Sentinel drivers for the Lightwave dongle, though Lightwave itself works just fine with them. Not sure if the problem is in FPrime or the driver.

[Lightwolf]

What IgnusFast said...

XP 64 is not in beta anymore and hasn't been for a couple of months. It is released and can be bought in stores.

Currently, due to the driver situation, I'd go for the good ole 32bit version and may be a dual boot with the 64bit or get the 64bit later on.

It really only makes sense if your software makes use of it and this won't really happen much before the end of the year.

Cheers,
Mike

[LSlugger]

XP 64 is not in beta anymore and hasn't been for a couple of months. It is released and can be bought in stores.

Are you sure? As far as I know, 64-bit XP is still OEM only.

[Lightwolf]

Are you sure? As far as I know, 64-bit XP is still OEM only.
Or SB (Systembuilder). Which basically means it is out of beta, and yes, I know a couple of stores where you can get it. You can also upgrade your XP32 to XP64 for no charge, but loose your XP32bit license in the process.

I could send you a couple of links to stores, but they're all German ;) Heck, even my fav PC store around the corner offers it...

Cheers,
Mike
P.S. I don't even know anybody who doesn't buy the system builder versions, I mean, all you loose is phone support from M$, and honestly, when was the last time you called them for support? ;)

[kilvano]

you can get the 180 day trial from the M$ website i think.

It no longer Beta but i still dont like it. Americas army wont work on it and a few other games.

I had trouble with certain features on office 2003 too

Chris

[Lightwolf]

It no longer Beta but i still dont like it. Americas army wont work on it and a few other games.

Well, to be quite honest, I don't think it is really intended for gaming (except for some tech demonstrations).

It does make a lot of sense in port work though, with C4D in 64bit and LW, Fusion5 and SynthEyes coming up as 64bit versions...
Cheers,
Mike

[gjjackson]

I ordered XP 64bit from Tiger Direct for $160. Should be here soon.