I think it's time to upgrade, my mobo's going on four years old, and I'm
still using Windows 2000 Pro.

Thinking about trying XP 64, but I read a lot about driver problems, but
very few specifics. Also have considered Linux, but might take my old
stuff and put it in a separate box and run Linux there.

Here's what I'm looking at so far. Would like your experience with any
of this hardware, and anything you might know about whether the new
stuff I'm thinking about, or the old stuff I'll add below, will work
well in XP 64...

I'm not a gamer, so aren't interested in SLI. I am a digital
photographer, so need good 2D graphics capability and enough umph to
handle really large image editing, and will upgrade to dual DVI monitors
(I have a Samsung SyncMAster 204B, will get another one).

Mobo: ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe (or maybe Gigabyte GA-M59SLI-S5?)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GB
Video: BFG Tech GeForce 7600GT 256MB
Mem: 2 pairs Corsair XMS2 2GB DDR2800 Dual Channel (for 4GB total)

Onboard sound should be sufficient, unless it's really awful. I mainly
listen to internet radio, and only have a 2.1 speaker system (JBL
Creature II).

I'll be moving over:

WD Raptor 36GB, SATA
2x Seagate 200GB Barracudas, SATA
IDE Sony DVD RW DRU 500A (had this a while, but it works well)
Plextor DVDR PX 716A SATA DVD-DL burner
Floppy drive, till it dies

Logitech MX1000 wireless laser mouse
WD Mybook 320GB, USB & Firewire
Various other USB devices
Canon Pixma MP500 multifunction printer (non-US version, does CD labels
too).

So. Good choice of equipment? Will my older stuff work under XP 64?

Thanks for any comments!

jmc

jmc wrote:
Try it and let us know how you make out!
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/6...cts/trial.mspx

I have downloaded the trial version. So far it is working well. I am
missing the plugin to explorer that lets me view Canon raw thumbnails. My
Epson R1800 won't work using firewire even though its attached to a
different computer and shared. I have to switch it to the USB port to work
with 64 bit. IIS seems to be missing from the trial version.

"jmc" <NOnewsgroupsSPAM (AT) NOjodiBODY (DOT) HOMEus> wrote

Suddenly, without warning, Fishface exclaimed (19-May-07 3:17 PM):
Thanks for that, bookmarked the page. I'd still like to know *before* I
dish out the $$ for this hardware...

jmc

Suddenly, without warning, Pat exclaimed (19-May-07 3:30 PM):

Pat:

Thanks. I also have a Canon camera, and work in RAW, but as long as my
software can see the thumbnails, I'm not so concerned if they're not
viewable in Explorer.

IIS? That's the web server software, right?

jmc

I can see them with Adobe's software.

Yes. I wanted to test a mail server.

I asked Canon about 64 bit and they said "At the moment there are no plans
to support the 64 bit editions of Vista or Windows XP"

I don't plan on buying xp pro. I am testing to see whether I will buy 32 or
64 bit vista.

Suddenly, without warning, Pat exclaimed (20-May-07 3:42 AM):
Here's a place that has XP64 drivers for Canon products:

http://software.canon-europe.com/

Just downloaded the drivers for the MP500, but no drivers for my camera
(Rebel XTi/400D) - but that's not required, 'cause I have a card reader.

jmc

I have seen some support for 64 bit on Canon's page. What I need is a 64
bit codec from Canon for viewing raw files in Vista. Apparently not going
to happen soon. Probably never going to happen for XP Pro 64 bit. I have
learned to like the plugin for XP Pro 32 bit. There is a 32 bit codec
available for Vista.