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I'm sure I've missed some postings on this, but I'm considering upgrading to Windows 7.
What are some tips and ideas from you guys/gals on what I will run into, should I stick with the 32-bit version, etc., etc. I've run the windows 7 ADVISOR and it says hardware-wise, I'm okay to fly. But I'm wondering about some drivers.
Any tips, recommendations, or WARNINGS, please let me know your experiences.
THANKS FOLKS!!
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This will help me too.
I'm going to build a new desktop next month with Win7 64 bit.
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I moved to Win 7 last November, just on my "music machine", still run all other apps on my older XP machine.
Win 7 caused a serious issue with lack of drivers, at first. Actually, it eventually killed my ProTools system since Pro Tools has never established Win 7 compatibility and Digitech at the same time announced it was no longer supporting the MBox. So I had to invest in a new interface. Picked up a M-Audio PCI card for which Win 7 drivers are available. Moved on to REAPER which is actually a fully 64Bit DAW. Lost a few VST plugins along the way - though have been able to find workarounds using REAPER 32 Bit version.
Bottom line, it has been a little work, but I would not go back. For anything I lost, I also gained something new. And I'm very happy with the way Win7 operates.
Last edited by jazzmandan; 03/31/10 01:22 PM.
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That's good you started with the upgrade adviser.
The next step is to identify what sound card and other music interfaces you wish to use, and ascertain if 64-bit drivers exist for those. For 32-bit Windows 7, the Vista drivers often work, but it is different for 64-bit. There are still manufactures who have not released working 64-bit drivers for Windows 7. I think if you use 32-bit Windows 7 (as I do) you should be OK, but there may still be a few vendors who do not support it for all equipment.
Also double-check your favorite software requirements, too, to make sure all will work in Windows 7 and especially in 64-bit if you go that route. How much RAM do you have? The main reason for using a 64-bit OS is to address more than 4 GB.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Ray,
Depends on your machine.
I'm running Windows 7 64 bit, and everything is 'loverly.' I'm very happy with it. BIAB and Real Tracks work okay, Sonar is nice, and I have drives for my cards.
Google and download PC Wizard (the latest version) and run that. It will tell you the motherboard, RAM, and CPU (as well as Graphics card and a whole bunch of other useful stuff) you have in your computer.
Please post that information, i.e., Motherboard, CPU type, speed, amount of RAM, and graphics card, and it'll be easier to advise which way to go.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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I didn't have any trouble getting any software to run on win 7x64...
but ALL of my USB music devices (audio and MIDI interfaces) had to be replaced. You may get lucky and find win7x64 drivers for yours.
However, having replaced those, I am happy to report dramatically improved stability and quality of my recording with more ram and more horsepower.
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Quote:
However, having replaced those, I am happy to report dramatically improved stability and quality of my recording with more ram and more horsepower.
Ditto that.
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Win 7 64..
Today I ran RB, Firefox, IE (for testing), Word, Notepad, HTML editor, and my FTP program .. at the same time for a few hours. Oh - and I was on skype too. Might have had Flash open too for a short time.
Then I closed RB and opened the video editor.. not a blip.
Finished out the day and stopped in here.
They pay me for this. shhhhhh don't laugh..
Win 7 - Love it.
Last edited by rharv; 03/31/10 04:42 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Have had Win 7 64 bit Toshiba laptop for a couple of weeks now. BIAB runs perfectly on it. I only use Real Tracks and Real Drums, so no midi woes. Later, Ray
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
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Matt, are you saying that if a program was written for 32-bit windows, then it will NOT run in 64-bit mode ??
Gosh! I'm sure I have many, many programs that are 32-bit applications...
Let me know. THANK YOU!!
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Ray,
Win 7 64 bit is great. It will run most 32 bit programs. It detects and installs them in a separate file called Program Files (x86). Some programs, (very few), won't run on Win 7 64 bit.
Roland VSC won’t run on it. Coyote Forte runs great.
To cover all bases, I have a dual boot system with Win 7 64 bit on one hard drive and XP 32 bit on the other. I can run anything. My old hardware, (i.e., Roland mixing board and PCI card), runs on the XP system since there aren’t drivers for it on Win 7, in either 32 bit or 64 bit.
I would make the jump to Win 7 64 bit. Just make sure your hardware is way above the minimum before doing it.
Bob
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Quote:
Matt, are you saying that if a program was written for 32-bit windows, then it will NOT run in 64-bit mode ??
Gosh! I'm sure I have many, many programs that are 32-bit applications...
Let me know. THANK YOU!!
Goodness, no, I'm not saying that. Most 32-bit programs will work just fine in a 64-bit OS.
There are some exceptions, such as plug-ins; I am aware of a few of those that require 64-bit versions, but it's a small number.
All I'm saying is most programs will be fine, just check to be safe.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Quote:
Matt, are you saying that if a program was written for 32-bit windows, then it will NOT run in 64-bit mode ??
Let me know. THANK YOU!!
Ray,
While Eddie is correct in his answer, his answer is also very misleading. But, that is also because your question is somewhat incorrect.
A 32 bit application can not run as a 64 bit application because it's a 32 bit app. However, that does not stop it from running inside of a 64 bit OS. Since Band In A Box, Real Band and several of the other programs, MOST of the other programs that any of use running a 64 bit OS use are 32 bit apps, it should tell you immediately that there is no problem. However, the opposite is not true. If you have a 64 application, it can not run on a 32 bit OS.
If you take your pick up down one of those two lane Georgia country roads, you, and the traffic coming the other way have no problems, you pass each other right by. Then, you can get off that country lane, and get onto an eight lane interstate heading for 'Hotlanta' and you won't have any problem. However, that semi next to you with the oversized load that would take up almost two lanes, given a chance, is running far more than your pick up truck. Now, you get off the highway, and back onto your little two lane road, and that semi follows you off. Do you think it's going to make it down that two lane road...with traffic coming in the other direction?
That's basically the idea between 32 bit and 64 bit, with a bit of humor. You can run a 32 bit app inside a 64 bit OS, just as you could run a 16 bit app inside of a 32 bit OS, but not the other way around.
By the way, you have mail.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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To augment Gary's answer, when an application has a 64-bit version, it probably also has a 32-bit one. SONAR, for example, provides both, and you choose which one to install. If you have a 64-bit Windows, you can choose either one. If you have a 32-bit Windows, you can only use the 32-bit version.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Ray,
In regards to Matt's post about Sonar, even though I have a 64 bit OS, I run the application as a 32 bit because one of my sound cards (Asus Xonar D2X) does not work well with Sonar when it is set up for 64 bit, probably a driver issue, even though it says it's a 64 bit driver.
I suspect it'll be a couple of years until hardware manufacturers really start creating true 64 bit drivers for hardware that will run correctly with 64 bit applications. Since we don't see a whole lot of true 64 bit applications, the need isn't there...yet.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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