32bit or 64bit

32bit or 64bit

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I asked a question last week on getting a new laptop and got some great replies. I got a new one but have realised that it is 64bit version; not 32bit.

Am I in serious trouble here as I was told that some tax and accounting software will not run on 64bit?

Replies (8)

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Quack
By Constantly Confused
17th Aug 2011 16:59

My understanding

I was led to believe that Windows fooled itself if you ran 32bit on a 64bit computer, I certainly have a seperate 'program' folder for 32bit programs.

I think there can be issues, but that they are rare these days.

Also you can now have more RAM!

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By paulwakefield1
17th Aug 2011 19:00

You should be fine

What you probably should avoid is Office 64 bit but a 64 bit machine is unlikely to give you problems.

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Replying to Henry Osadzinski:
Me!
By nigelburge
18th Aug 2011 10:51

Agree with Paul

paulwakefield1 wrote:

What you probably should avoid is Office 64 bit but a 64 bit machine is unlikely to give you problems.

Windows 7 64bit is most definitely the way to go. I have not yet found any applications that will not run on it and it is the future for PCs.

Just two points. Very old 16bit programs will not run but then these are archaic and there is a way round it. (DosBox).

Also, as Paul mentioned, make sure you install the 32bit version of Microsoft Office NOT the 64bit version. Microsoft themselves recommend this because most Office "add-ons" do not work with the 64bit version which is really still a work-in-progress.

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By Marion Hayes
17th Aug 2011 20:04

64 bit problems

I have a 64 bit laptop.

I have had to download a 32bit IE in order to use the internet - flash player and a lot of web applications will not work on 64 so I have stopped using that browser completely.

Office 2010 works fine

Marion 

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By paul.k2
17th Aug 2011 20:54

Older produstucts.....

64bit software allows you to use more of the processors resources and to handle larger quantities of RAM.

You might find that older pieces of hardware will give you problems due to a lack of drivers.

Some software might also struggle. I do not have much experience of Win 7 64 bit, but it might be worthwhile seeing if you have an option to run a troublesome aplication in 32 bit mode. Try right clicking on the program file and see what options you have.

If your application is not optimised for 64 bit, its ability to use these facilities is limited and thats why a lot of IT people still direct users towards 32 bit software (thats the Computer Science theory lesson over). In my experience I find that accountants are not very keen on upgrading their IT and in software design, like any product, you cater to your customers. Thats why I wouldn't hold my breath for 64 bit apps just yet in this sector , but maybe someone knows different.

If you have an app that still won't run properly, one option is to install a Virtual PC. I assume Microsofts product is still free. Just install the virtual PC with the Windows system that your app worked on and then install the app. The virtual PC can be configured to look like another PC on the network. (Someone will porbbaly mention that there are licencing issues with this, but that is another conversation).

Hope some of that helps.

Paul

www.kellysolutions.co.uk

 

 

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By vtsoftware
18th Aug 2011 08:45

VT Final Accounts and 64 bit Excel 2010

Microsoft Office 2010 was the first version of Office to come in both 32 bit and 64 bit versions (the same license entitles you to both). The VT add-ins will only run in the 32 bit version, so if you are a VT user and have a 64 bit PC, make sure you install the 32 bit version of Office (which runs just fine on a 64 bit PC).

See http://www.vtsoftware.co.uk/support/system.htm

Philip Hodgson
VT Software

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By maisie
24th Aug 2011 23:05

What about a virtual machine?

It's possible to install something like VirtualBox to allow other Operating Systems to run within your current environment - there's no reason why you couldn't add an extra Windows XP just for a select application.

It's mainly for the technically advanced, but it's an option.

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By User deleted
25th Aug 2011 09:13

64bit currently catching up - but will come of age

@paul.k2

64bit compilation has been available from Visual Studio 2005 - see
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms241064(v=vs.80).aspx

64bit is all about having greater direct memory addressing rather than using an offset - which in theory makes for a faster operation

Anyway

In general terms most 32bit apps will run on 64bit machines but not vica versa. At the moment 64bit is playing 'catch up' and whilst a 32bit app will run, the equivalent app as 64bit may be deficient in certain areas - especially 3rd party drivers

Nevertheless, with suppliers such as Dell providing pc's pre-loaded with Home 64 as standard it is only a matter of time before everyone is up to speed

With virtual machines all sorts of options are available - even obscure requirements such as loading osx/snow leopard, linux on a pc

Running 16bit apps is anyway generally not recommended today because they tend to 'hog' the machines resources and not allow interruptions from other programs which are running concurrently. Whereas todays apps allow events to interrupt their processing for other tasks to interact on the pc

 

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