Windows x64 available

[em64t]

For people using 64-bit processors, such as AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, AMD Turion 64 or the newest Intel processors with EM64T support, a 64-bit version of Windows is available.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/64bit/x64/overview.mspx

From the link above, you can download the W2K3 Server, Enterprise Edition for free or order CDs for a shipping charge.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/upgrade/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/64bit/x64/upgrade.mspx

From the links above, if you purchased a 64-bit computer with the processors listed above and had the 32-bit Windows version preloaded, the upgrade to 64-bits is free.

I am currently downloading the server. I want to test out the driver/hardware support before I make the commitment to upgrade.

[Sirber]

no download for XP64 :(

[edit]
A download version of the trial software will be available soon.

[em64t]

Yeah. That is why I mentioned the download for the Windows 2003 Server, Enterprise Edition. SEE? Well preliminary analysis says that it is alright, stable. That may be why Microsoft has migrated many of its servers to 64-bits.

Since XP and Server are based on the same kernel, I am assuming the drivers should be identical. So if the Server is stable, then XP should be stable as well. Of course I did not do any stressing of the system. Actually, I do not intend to do any of that sort.

Now if you are connecting to peripherals, well that may be a different issue. I am planning on upgrading to high speed (at last). So I do not know if the DSL modem will work. I still have 32-bit XP as a back up if my 64-bit OS can't connect.

No download for the XP x64 distribution? Well, if you pay for shipping, Microsoft will be glad to send you a CD.

[Sirber]

I prefer wait for the free download.

[Doom9]

So I do not know if the DSL modem will work. Get a router and you'll never have to worry again. And both Microsoft's x64 operating systems have been available in RC status for free to anyone, and have been on MSDN for a while. I have them sitting on a shelf but I've grown comfortable with my 32 bit XP.

And.. it will be a time limited demo version.. wheter or not you will be able to upgrade that to a nonlimted commercial version remains to be seen.

[em64t]

Originally posted by Doom9
And.. it will be a time limited demo version.. wheter or not you will be able to upgrade that to a nonlimted commercial version remains to be seen.

According to Microsoft you can upgrade the trial version to the commercial version. Since the new OS is so new, I do not have any data, but previous versions of Windows vary from a couple of files in Windows NT 4 to a dozen of so files in W2K and XP/2K3. That is based on binary comparison of the files using utilities such as windiff (available in VC++) and md5 utilities.

But as for upgrading a beta such as RC1 or RC2 (BTW, the link is still live) to the RTM, that is not supported.

[zilog jones]

I thought there was already a 64-bit version of XP available but only in OEM form? Or am I imagining things?

[Sirber]

I don't think so. Very recently they were RC2.

[em64t]

Come grab it here (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/evaluation/trial.mspx) .

[Sirber]

Still waiting for their mail for download... Maybe I'll reinstall RC2 :(

[em64t]

Yeah, I had to wait about two hours for the linkage to be available. Here is a copy of the email. Of course I will leave out the personal info, link and Product Key as you who are interested will get your own.

**********************************
Please keep this e-mail for your records.
**********************************


Thank you for registering to download the Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
Trial Software Kit.

Note: The size of the download is approximately 575 megabytes (MB). The file you
will download is in ISO image format and should be burned to CD before
installation.

To burn the ISO file to a CD, you must have a CD-RW drive (CD burner) with
appropriate supporting software. If you do not have a CD burner, there are
third-party software products available on the Internet that will allow you to
create a virtual CD drive.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Installation Instructions

The following steps summarize the installation process. More detailed
step-by-step installation and configuration instructions are available in the
readme.htm file included with the software.

To install the trial software for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Trial
Software Kit:

1. Download the ISO image file from the URL in the Getting Started section below
and save the file to your hard disk.

2. Using a CD-RW drive and software, burn the ISO image of Windows XP
Professional x64 Edition to a blank CD. Most CD burning software will recognize
an ISO file. If your software does not recognize this format, you can burn it as
a raw data file.

3. Insert the CD you burned into the CD-ROM drive of the computer on which you
want to install Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.

4. The Setup file on the CD should open automatically. If it does not, in
Windows Explorer, select setup.exe on the CD to begin installation and follow
the step-by-step instructions that appear on the screen.

If the download prematurely terminates or the size of the downloaded ISO file is
not between 550 and 600 MB, you will need to restart the download process.

For more information on Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/default.mspx

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Getting Started

1. Click the link below to begin your download.

The approximate size of this download is 575 MB.

Estimated download time:
56K Modem - 21 hours (Not Recommended)
T1/DSL - 48 minutes (Recommended)

2. The Product Key needed to install the software is listed directly beneath the
download URL below.

Version: Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, 180-day Evaluation (English)

URL:
http://download.microsoft.com/download

Product Key:

Ordered From: Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Evals DL

Now I guess I will reformat the W2K3 to install WXP.:p

[Sirber]

Still haven't got the mail :(

[Sirber]

I reinstalled RC2 to see, and it was crap. ACDSee 7 wouldn't install. M$ Installer was trigering DEP. IMO best use 64bit for servers, and keep 32bit for WS.

[em64t]

Yeah many installers still do not work properly. It is a known issue for Windows 3.1 (http://support.microsoft.com/?id=893803) to not work. Software based on the .NET Framework will not work either.

As for servers, perhaps, but big name packages, such as SQL Server 2000 will not install properly. Allegedly the next service pack will resolve that.

A KB Article (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896456) regarding application compatibility.
Version check

Some 32-bit programs examine the version information of the operating system. Many 32-bit programs that perform this check do not recognize the x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 or of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition as compatible operating systems. When this behavior occurs, the 32-bit program will generate a version check error, and then close. If this behavior occurs, contact the manufacturer of the 32-bit program for an update that is compatible with the x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 and of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.

If what Microsoft states is true, just patch the installer and the rest of the software should be able to remain the same, we should see fixes very soon. :p

Also if by now you still have not received the email for the RTM version, perhaps you entered a wrong email address? Try again?

[Sirber]

I think I will stick with 32bit for some years and move 64bit with Xp64 will have it's SP1 :)

[pogo stick]

Software based on the .NET Framework will not work either.
Everything I tried works well with .NET 2.0 Framework Beta 2.
I think I will stick with 32bit for some years and move 64bit with Xp64 will have it's SP1 :)
It seems like SP1 is already in.

64 bit version is not so bad compeared to 32 bit one. Most of the 32 bit software works without problems here. My problems now are drivers and some kind of virtual cd.

[Sirber]

By SP1, I mean final XP64 + it's own 64bit Service Pack.