Re: Dual Boot Vista 64 and 32
"David F" <dfumento@ATTHISADDRESSgmailDOT.com> wrote...
>I would like to dual boot Vista 64 with Vista 32 which I will use as a
>backup for compatibility problems with Vista 64 such as running Cisco's
>VPN.
> Also, are the files (such as MS Word 2007) transferable between Vista 32
> and Vista 64?
Hi David,
Not sure about the dual-boot thing, but ... be aware that you wil need to
purchase TWO Vista licences if you want to run both 32-bit and 64 bit Vista.
If you buy Vista in the retail pack, both 32-bit and 64 bit are included.
But to activate them both on the same machine, you will need two activation
keys. Yep, even on the same hardware! If you activate your 32-bit Vista,
then try to activate your 64-bit Vista with the same key (or vice versa),
you will get an error that the activation key is already in use.
Also, I would strongly recommend using a virtual machine tool, such as
Virtual PC or VMWare, instead of dual booting. Virtual PC is a free download
from Microsoft:
Virtual PC 2007
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx
I have run a VPN client from within a Virtual PC machine, it worked fine. By
using a VM, you can have your 32-bit and 64-bit versions running
side-by-side, alt-tabbing between them, sharing files etc in real-time;
instead of needing to shut down and reboot, to switch between versions.
Install 64-bit Vista on the physical hardware, then install Virtual PC, then
create a new VM ("virtual machine") in VPC, then install 32-bit Vista into
the VM.
Other folks may be able to help you with the dual boot scenario, if you
really want to go that way. Personally, I have long since given up on
dual-booting, it is too much hassle and too error-prone. Whereas VMs "just
work". Main proviso is you'll want 2GB of RAM, or more, to support a VM.
Application data files (such as Word 2007 docs) work exactly the same on
32-bit and 64-bit Windows. Even on 64-bit Vista, Word runs as a 32-bit
application (there's no 64-bit version of Office).
Hope it helps,
--
Andrew McLaren
amclar (at) optusnet dot com dot au