[Pipni]

Hi

I've got a laptop that is Vista capable, it had XP Media Edition installed on there previously, but it was removed before given to me, so now I have a laptop with no OS installed. I'm planning on buying Vista Home Premium, but I'm a little confused on a few things:

1) What is the difference between 32bit and 64bit version? I'm assuming 64 bit is the better, but how? And does the system specs change? Any difference in price?

2) Looking on eBay, I see people selling OEM versions, and versions with COA or SOA, what are these exactly? I'm guessing the second is Certificate Of Authenticty, but I just want to be certain

3) This laptop has 2x 120gb harddrives. If I install Vista on the first one, will the second one be avaliable for use?

Thanks in advance

 

[FreoHeaveho]

Re: Vista questions

Hi

Question 1
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?p=440

Question 2
You are right

Question 3
Yes, but i would partition one drive into a smaller partition ie 20GB to put vista on. That way you can have essentially 3 drives (1 x 20GB, 1 x 100GB and a second physical drive with 120GB).

 

[Pipni]

Re: Vista questions

Ok, thanks

Just out of curiosity, what good is it partitioning 20gb off for Vista? (not attacking your idea by the way, just wondering ) Won't Vista run slower with only 20gb? And is it reversible?

Thanks again

 

[FreoHeaveho]

Re: Vista questions

It is reversible in Vista as you can non-destructively resize partitions. The idea is, that with the page file, install vista on a 20GB partitiion (or 40GB or whatever), but don't use the whole disk. I would use the other half for example to install all my applications etc. Whatever you choose, i would recommend keeping the operating system completely seperate, that way, if you want to reinstall it, its simple. Use the other drive for back up or personal files.

Google recommended partition sizes, its quite a personal thing really. Dont forget, if you have a copy of XP still, you can dual boot and use the disk for both.

Good luck

 

[sobeit]

Re: Vista questions

one thing, your laptop is not elgible for oem software. You will have to purchase the full retail version of vista. Also unless your laptop has a 64 bit cpu, then you cannot use 64 bit os. You cannot use an upgrade since you got it without an os. OEM is only for newly built systems.

Finally you need to go to the laptop's manufacturers website and see if they have vista drivers available for your specific model. If they do not, then do not install vista - you will have problems since laptops use specific drivers developed by or for their respected manufacturers.

finally be very careful of any software purchase from ebay.

 

[Pipni]

Re: Vista questions

Ok, thanks alot :grin:.

But still confused over the 32bit and 64bit versions :4-dontkno
The link was useful, but can anyone explain it a bit simpler please? Is the only difference the raised memory limit?

And its a HP Pavillion dv9092ea:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...&cc=uk&dlc=en&product=3280491&os=2100&lang=en

Can someone please check if this CPU is capable of 64bit version? And if it's Vista capable (says on the label on the actual laptop, and on the link), will I need to update the drivers?

Thanks again in advance

 

[FreoHeaveho]

Re: Vista questions

Ok all you need to know is

1. Is your CPU compatiable? (Core 2 duo's are).
2. 64 bit has fewer drivers, so check if you hardware has the drivers available (signed drivers)
3.64 bit os can accept up to 128GB (i think) of RAM. Which basically means you're not limited to 3.2GB as we are in 32bit OS. So you can install 4GB and the OS will use it all.

As far as i am aware all core 2 duo's are 64bit compatiable. But check on Intel's website to make sure.

To be honest, just get 32bit at this stage, that means all software and hardware will be compatiable. In about 5 years i think we will all be using 64bit OS. Others will disagree, but its more of a pain than its worth.

 

[Pipni]

Re: Vista questions

OK, thanks alot

 

[FreoHeaveho]

welcome

 

[b72077]

Is it possible to switch vista from one partition to two after installation and programs and settings and all? Also, some programs seem to force c: installation? is there a good way to fix that, like changing the vista to d: and c: the large partition?