Thoughts on Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

Having successfully installed Microsoft Windows Professional x64 Edition, I figured I’d write a little bit about the ups and downs of getting it installed on my system and my own impression of x64 now that it is working. The computer I installed it on is one my Dad and I built a year ago. I’ll list the specs below for reference (and to brag a bit):

Processor: AMD Athlon FX-53 @ 2.4 Ghz
Motherboard: Asus A8V Deluxe
Memory: 4 x 512 MB Corsair XMS DDR 400
Hard Drive: 2 x WD Raptor 74 GB (Raid 0)
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon X800 XT
Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS

I ran into two major problems with Windows x64. Neither problem was really with x64 itself. Rather they were issues between other devices and x64. The first problem was getting the right drivers from Asus for my raid controller. However, after a few trials and errors, I finally came across the right driver and from there on out the installation went smooth.

The second problem was that x64 was taking on average about 30 minutes to boot up. To be more specific, getting to the login screen was quick. However after typing in my name and password, it would take about 20 to 30 minutes before windows finally came up. During that time it would sit there with nothing but the desktop background and the cursor showing. You could move the cursor around, however right clicking brought up nothing. Also you could hit Ctrl+Alt+Del and Windows Task Manager would pop up. But other than that, nothing else until windows finally loaded. It turns out that the problem was an old cd-rw drive. I had it installed as a secondary drive and it was the only piece of my computer that I did not buy new. Instead I stripped it out of my old machine. It was just so old of a drive that Windows had trouble recognizing it. There for the fix was to buy a new Plextor DVD-RW/CD-RW drive. Windows x64 had no troubles loading this drive.

Really the thing I’ve had the least problems with is drivers. Although it is true that a lot of companies still haven’t released 64 bit drivers, there are a lot of people who have gotten tired of waiting and have created third party 64 bit drivers and posted them on the internet.

So in the end all I can say is this new OS rockzors!!!!!!1111111



Useful Links:
www.planetamd64.com
www.3dvelocity.com/articles/win64compatibility/win64hardlist.htm