Installed 32 bit on 64 bit (should I reinstall?)

[ATTech]

Then I'd install 32 bit. No point installing x64 unless it's got 4+ GB RAM (or the customer specifically needs x64).

But what if they decide to upgrade in the future? Now they have a machine with all their applications and data on it, and a reformat needed to properly upgrade the machine. Spend the few minutes of hands on time it takes to spare yourself the potential hours of reinstalling/reconfiguring down the road.

 

[lake54]

The type of customer it is would buy a new machine rather than upgrade, plus, this model only supports a maximum of 2GB of RAM (1GB in each of the two slots), which it already has.

Like I said, if it was a normal customer in a normal business situation I would, no questions asked, N&P with 64 bit on.

James

 

[TLE]

What is the model number for the Sony?

The amount of current installed memory is good indicator, but your still making assumptions. I have seen plenty of 64bit systems with only either 2 or 3GB of memory installed.

this model only supports a maximum of 2GB of RAM (1GB in each of the two slots), which it already has.

If it only support a total of 2GB of memory it's pretty safe in that instance to say it's 32bit.

 

[ATTech]

The type of customer it is would buy a new machine rather than upgrade, plus, this model only supports a maximum of 2GB of RAM (1GB in each of the two slots), which it already has.

Like I said, if it was a normal customer in a normal business situation I would, no questions asked, N&P with 64 bit on.

James

Most likely isn't guaranteed. Since you've been vague on what "kind" of customer it is, it's hard to give you any meaningful advice. It seems like you had already made up your mind before posting here, though.

 

[lake54]

It's a Sony VAIO VGN-NR21S/S

I checked on Crucial, the site says 2GB max (basically what I wrote a minute ago).

I'm leaving it at 32-bit guys...

 

[ATTech]

It's a Sony VAIO VGN-NR21S/S

I checked on Crucial, the site says 2GB max (basically what I wrote a minute ago).

I'm leaving it at 32-bit guys...

http://support.vaio.sony.eu/computing/vaio/specifications/index.aspx?m=VGN-NR21S/S&l=en_GB

Max. Memory (MB)4096
Max Memory Comment In the case of 4GB, a portion of the system memory over 3GB might not be available to the operating system

Sounds like it was initially configured with 32-bit...

 

[lake54]

Ah, interesting. Unusual for Crucial to be wrong as well!

Yes I believe it was 32-bit originally. I'm just finishing the tidying up and then I'll give it him back today or tomorrow.

 

[StringTech]

Windows Activation

Make sure you did Windows Activation. If it activated then it's good to go.

I usually use a keyfinder before reinstalling Windows. It can also show you if you have 32 bit or 64 bit.

 

[lake54]

Make sure you did Windows Activation. If it activated then it's good to go.

I usually use a keyfinder before reinstalling Windows. It can also show you if you have 32 bit or 64 bit.

Don't want to sound rude or anything but I have done a lot of reloads etc, I do know to activate Windows after one. Again, don't want to sound rude, but I'm not that new to the game.

I would have used a keyfinder too, but as mentioned I didn't have any access to the OS.

 

[ATTech]

I would have used a keyfinder too, but as mentioned I didn't have any access to the OS.

Did you have access to the file system? You could have checked for a Program Files (x86) folder.

 

[StringTech]

Don't want to sound rude or anything but I have done a lot of reloads etc, I do know to activate Windows after one. Again, don't want to sound rude, but I'm not that new to the game.

I would have used a keyfinder too, but as mentioned I didn't have any access to the OS.

I hope you didn't think that it was a condescending remark. I simply said if it activated then it's good to go.

Ok, I don't want to sound condescending again, but you do know you can run a keyfinder on a slaved hard drive. You don't have to boot to an OS.

I just wanted to help. I'm sorry you felt that way.

 

[lake54]

@StringTech - no worries, I know how the Internet can skew how we interpret things - no offence caused.

The drive itself is non-functioning, it totally freezes up my machine (i.e. my 'workshop' machine) when it's plugged in, and it barely worked in the client's machine.

Cheers for the replies,

James

 

[lake54]

Yep, just tried again for the last half hour to an hour trying every which way to get my machine to read the disk. It all works up until the point where it trys to read the main partition. I attempted a risky (it was the last choice I had) 'hot' plug in, and it came up with the Recovery partition, but when it was (I assume) detecting/reading the system partition, the machine locked up.

This happened in a normal OS environment, Mini Win XP, and RIP Linux. I also tried in Ubuntu Desktop via a Live CD. It just locks up my machine.

James

 

[numnutz]

Can you get a serial number or part number off the MB?

 

[Robert]

But what if they decide to upgrade in the future? Now they have a machine with all their applications and data on it, and a reformat needed to properly upgrade the machine. Spend the few minutes of hands on time it takes to spare yourself the potential hours of reinstalling/reconfiguring down the road.

True, though I sincerely doubt the machine came with x64 to begin with - OEM's haven't long been installing x64.

OK cheers Robert (your software is great from what I've seen, by the way!)

Thanks!

 

[lake54]

I've got a serial number and service tag from the chassis, but why would I want the one on the motherboard?

I've given it back now anyway, dropped it off last night. I've got a copy of the serial number and service tag.

 

[ATTech]

True, though I sincerely doubt the machine came with x64 to begin with - OEM's haven't long been installing x64.

Thanks!

I'm not arguing that, if it came with x86, then x86 should be installed back onto it, which sounds like is the situation here, but saying I won't bother because it doesn't have 4GB or RAM and they didn't say they specifically used x64 software isn't a good reason.

 

[Robert]

I'm not arguing that, if it came with x86, then x86 should be installed back onto it, which sounds like is the situation here, but saying I won't bother because it doesn't have 4GB or RAM and they didn't say they specifically used x64 software isn't a good reason.

I will admit it has been some time since I've looked into it (since every new build is >=4GB RAM now), but is there no performance degradation when using x64 on <4GB systems?

I'm sure this intel is from the XP days, so Vista/7 may well be different, and by all means educate me if I'm wrong, but that was my understanding.

Slightly OT, but to MS: Please please please don't release Windows 8 in 32-bit!!!

 

[ATTech]

Maybe in the early days of the x64 architecture, there was some performance degradation, but now-a-days, you aren't going to see a difference. I have 3GB on my system, and have used x86 and x64, and I didn't see a difference.