Double, the Trouble


My laptop has a 64bit processor, and is dual-core. Most of my software is 32bit, and designed for single core processors.

Not just my software - most software. Even people running 64bit operating systems on quad-core computers tend to be running 32bit software that hogs one of the cores and leaves the others feeling unloved. Windows 7 is supposed to change that...but Vista was supposed to change it too. So, we'll see.

I mention this because I spent most of the day installing 64bit XP and, well, trying to make it work.

I should mention in passing that 64bit Windows is labeled "x64", but 32bit Windows is labeled..."x32"? No, "X86". Perhaps a reference to the old 8086 processor, the granddaddy of modern PC chips, born an eternity ago in 1978. Though actually it was 8bit and derived from the 808...8.

You see? I'm not entirely self taught - I went to college too. Well, four of them actually, but mostly not for long.

Anyway, 64bit XP installs cleanly, has slightly different Services from it's 32bit cousin, and has, shall we say, strong likes and dislikes.

The video and audio drivers only installed after a reboot each, others worked despite mysterious error messages, and the drivers for my beloved crappy MIDI keyboard wouldn't install at all.

It seems the keyboard manufacturers have decided that everyone will soon be using Windows 7, so there's no point in developing 64bit support for those using Vista or XP. From which I can only conclude their heads are in the clouds - or some similarly dark place. There's a reason I'm still using XP - Vista was unbelievably crap, and knowing Microsoft's track record, Windows 7 won't be worth the upgrade till it's on its second service pack.

Now, 64bit Windows can of course run 32bit programs - in the same way a soccer stadium can host a 5-a-side cub scouts match, in a tent, in the middle of the pitch. It's inconvenient, awkward and a bit silly - just necessary if there's no alternative.

The point of 64bit architecture is that it runs faster and more efficiently than 32bit architecture. Except when it's running 32bit software, in which case it'll often run slower and less efficiently. In the case of my music software, that's a lot slower.

And seeing as the only reason I tried 64bit Windows was to try to run my processor intensive sound processing software faster - in something closer to real time when a delay of ten milliseconds can make a difference - I was not too impressed.

So here I am, back on 32bit XP after a whole day trying to get the computer to work as it was designed to.

Today's lesson, then, is: The software industry is several years behind the hardware industry. The black box in front of you is physically capable of performing much better - if only someone could figure out how.

3 comments:

  1. Well, at least you can get on the internet now. My laptop is old. I have Windows XP, and I'm happy with it. When my laptop broke down, I was worried that I might have to buy a new computer with Vista. Luckily, the local geeks salvaged my laptop and gave me more memory.

    The black box in front of you is physically capable of performing much better - if only someone could figure out how.

    For a second there, I thought you were talking about the vagina.

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  2. I still use XP because my beloved/ behated old PC isn't capable of running Vista without surgery so major it would essentially become a new PC. From what i can tell, all i've missed out on is a rubbish redesign and a bigger clock.

    I think it's probably people like me, limping along in our 32bit backwater, who are slowing down the adoption of 64bit by software manufacturers. So, you know, sorry about that... ;o)

    Good to see you back online, btw.

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  3. @Eroswings:
    the local geeks salvaged my laptop and gave me more memory

    Odd how us geeks are the ones stereotyped as having no social skills or generosity.

    black box...vagina

    Are you going to introduce us? Or is it not that kind of relationship? :-).




    @Aethelread:
    From what i can tell, all i've missed out on is a rubbish redesign and a bigger clock.

    That's about it.

    people like me, limping along in our 32bit backwater

    Only if 90% (figure pulled out of the air) of users are in the same backwater. Which some corporations think we are.

    Good to see you back online

    Like Gary Glitter said, it's good to be back.

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