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Friday, October 12, 2007

Is possible to upgrade Windows XP x86 to x64?

Well, no. Is not possible. You need to install a new fresh copy of Windows XP x64 (64-bit).

I tested it on an Intel Dual Core 3GHz with 1GB RAM, with Windows XP x86 (32-bit, the common operating system) already installed. This computer have 2 Hard Drives, so I installed XP x64 to the second hard drive D:\, my old XP was still alive on C:\.

When you have a Windows XP x64 CD, you must boot from CD to install, you can't install x64 over an x86 platform. When you boot your computer with Windows XP x64, you'll get noticed if your computer have a 64-bit processor or not... My friend tried to install Windows XP x64 on his Centrino notebook, with no luck.

The installation is almost the same as regular Windows XP 32-bit. Before proceed, you need to make sure all your hardware drivers have a 64-bit version. Mostly all modern hardware have drivers for Windows XP 64-bit, but I suggest you check this first (usually drivers for 64-bits are under a folder name x64, the regular 32-bit drivers are under x86 folder). Some drivers are like a sofware program: you install it and it installs the proper version (if supported). If you have no 64-bit drivers, then search on Support or Downloads on Manufacturer's website before attempt to install Windows XP 64-bit.
This is a must, Windows XP 64-bit must use 64-bit drivers, can't (and will not) load regular 32-bit drivers.

The software is other thing. Windows XP 64-bit creates a Programs folder (with "x86" in folder name) for 32-bit programs, same for Control Panel applets, etc.
It can runs any 32-bit software using WOW64, a special feature to run 32-bit software under 64-bit architecture.

The 64-bit version runs great, much much faster than my XP 32-bit (also was a fresh install too), even the 32-bit applications starts quickly... my computer finally is showing POWER.

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