Hi, Lindsay.
I'm glad the other guys helped you figure out your current dilemma. For
future reference (and for others who may be lurking), remember:
<Win>+<Break>
That's the Windows logo key (nowadays often labeled "Start"), plus the
Pause/Break key, usually in the upper right part of most keyboards. (My
fancy keyboard also has an <F Lock> key, which toggles the function keys off
or on; it seems it is always toggled the wrong way and I have to press it
once and try again.) Hold <Win> down (like a Shift key) while pressing
Break. That should pop the System Properties screen up in your face.
That System screen shows lots of good information about your computer,
including "System type: 64-bit Operating System" on mine; yours probably
says 32-bit. Note that this tells about the version of Vista that is
currently running. It does not tell you about the hardware or about any
other operating systems that might be installed on the computer in a
multiple-boot system. Even on a 64-bit computer with the latest 64-bit CPU,
if you are booted into a 32-bit version of Vista, this screen will not
mention 64-bit.
Almost all 32-bit software will run without complaint on a 64-bit computer.
But 64-bit software cannot run on a 32-bit CPU. Or even in a 32-bit
operating system installed on a 64-bit CPU.
In other words, if your CPU is 32-bit, then you are limited to 32-bit all
the way: Operating system, drivers, applications, utilities...everything.
But if your CPU is 64-bit, then you have choices. You can install either
32-bit Vista or 64-bit Vista. If you choose 32-bit Vista, your choices of
drivers, apps and utilities are limited to 32-bit. If you install 64-bit
Vista, you may install and run almost any 64-bit or 32-bit software.
probably without even noticing any differences between them.
In 32-bit Vista, all your applications will be installed, by default, into
C:\Program Files, just like in WinXP and prior.
In 64-bit Vista, all your 64-bit applications will be installed, by default,
into C:\Program Files, just like in WinXP and prior. But the default
location for 32-bit apps in Vista x64 (and in WinXP x64) is the NEW folder
C:\Program Files (x86). Note the new "(x86)" label; this is code for the
x86 family of Intel CPUs, such as the 8086, 80286 and even Pentium; in other
words, 32-bit (or even 16-bit) CPUs. By segregating the 32-bit apps into
this new folder, Vista x64 knows to use 32-bit drivers, .dll files and other
support for them, while using 64-bit support for apps in the main Program
Files folder.
If you have BOTH 32-bit and 64-bit versions of a single app installed in
Vista x64, you should find two copies of the .exe and other app files, one
set in Program Files and another in Program Files (x86). You can choose to
run either by navigating to the folder and clicking on the .exe file in that
folder. Even Internet Explorer works this way in Vista x64; the 32-bit
version runs by default, but the 64-bit version is included, too, and we can
choose to run it. Help | About Internet Explorer tells us if we are running
the 64-bit version, but is silent about "bitness" when running the x86
version. (Look on the Version line, not the Cipher Strength line, which
always says 256-bit.) So we can choose to run either (or both at the same
time) by clicking:
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe - for 64-bit, or
C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe - for 32-bit.
Sorry for the long-winded explanation, Lindsay, but it might help others,
even if you don't need it. As your Sig says, "so that all may benefit."
;<)
RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1)
