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Please help a computer illiterate out 64 bit vista, media player, windows old files(?) and the list goes on&

#1 User is offline   akjim777 

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Posted 06 December 2008 - 03:12 AM

Hi, just so I'm not fooling anyone, "I Know Next To Nothing, Feel Free to Educate Me!!" With that said, here we go. I recently purchased a Gateway M-6846 lap top and had the option of a 32 or 64 bit platform. 64 sounded better(bigger number you understand) and the saleperson said 64 bit is the wave of the future and so thats where I sit at the present. I use my lap top for emails, word processing(Word 2007), to play poker, and to send and receive pictures of my grandbabies. How does that sit with 64 bit? Do I need it or should I switch to 32 bit? Is Media player 11 compatible with 64 bit? So far I'm not sure that I really see the advantages that the salesperson spoke of. In my ignorance, am i just missing it?
I have more questions, but I'd better start here. THANKS Jim

#2 User is offline   usasma 

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Posted 06 December 2008 - 08:41 AM

There's no real difference between the 64 bit and 32 bit versions to most users.
If you want to use older hardware there may be issues.
Also, some hardware doesn't come with 64 bit drivers.

Most 32 bit programs will work on 64 bit OS' - although there are still a few holdouts.
Most significantly, if you use the 64 bit version of Internet Explorer you'll notice that there's no 64 bit version of Adobe/Macromedia Flash.
But it works just fine with the 32 bit version of Internet Explorer.

The biggest caution is to ensure that there are 64 bit drivers available for any hardware that you may want to use/purchase. Beyond that, just sit back and enjoy!
- John
**If you need a more detailed explanation, please ask for it. I have the Knack. **

#3 User is offline   TSalarek 

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Posted 07 December 2008 - 04:16 PM

"Wave of the Future" to MS usually translates to "Nightmare of the Present" for users :huh:

64-bit is ok. Other than the driver issues stated above it should be ok to keep it. Knowing WIN you'll likely have more problems trying to downgrade to 32-bit than if you just leave it.

General rule of thumb for Win: If it runs without crashing and actually does what you ask it to do DON"T MAKE ANY CHANGES - or - if it ain't broke don't fix it ;)

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