MSFS 2004 under Windows XP x64 ProfessionalMini ReviewThe itch for migrating my FX-55 over to a 64 bit operating system had been growing lately. Admittedly, I had been awaiting the Microsoft release of XP x64 and as soon as it was available for download I had it. The obvious next step was to find the time to set it up and begin migrating everything over. Most importantly, was MSFS 2004 since this was the ultimate litmus test, ergo, no FS 2004 no Windows x64!It too well over a week to test and migrate my AMD64 FX-55 from Windows XP Professional SP2 to Windows XP x64 SP1. x64 requires its own installation, preferably on its own hard drive partition, this way, if everything ends up twisted one can always go back to the previous version with no harm done.Drivers:Understand that x64 cannot use any 32-bit drivers so if your hardware manufacturer doesn

"Microsoft release of XP x64 and as soon as it was available for download I had it. "How do you "DOWNLOAD" Windows legally?Carmine http://forums.avsim.net/images/wave.gif

>"Microsoft release of XP x64 and as soon as it was available>for download I had it. ">>How do you "DOWNLOAD" Windows legally?>>Carmine http://forums.avsim.net/images/wave.gifBy going to the Microsoft Windows site and deciding! You can get a trial version with a life of 180 or 365 days or something, or you can choose to migrate your installation and exchange your license key for your 32-bit XP for a 64-bit one.Allcott

I tested some weeks ago (corporate full edition of WinXP x64) on a fresh HDD and was also lucky, it's a great overall experience (though I'm everything else but an MS fan [FreeBSD rules]).The reasons why I de-installed again are:*) RealityXP gauges have their own 32-bit device driver which of course doesn't work in WinXP x64; can't live without RXP gauges.*) Apart from the most common drivers being available for WinXP x64 already, it's unclear whether add-on developers will start supporting that OS soon, there's not a single commitment. In the worst case I could end up with something I cannot use/buy, so I'd be stuck with x64.*) It must be certain for me that my efforts in tuning and enhancing FS on the x64 platform are not a waste of time and useless because something is not supported for FS. FS is my benchmark.So, I decided to stay on the safer side, and I wouldn't recomment using WinXP x64 for FS yet. You'd never know what bad surprises you'd encounter...Andreas

How do you know if your processor is 64bit compatible??? I bought my machine a month before FS2k4 came out. My specs are below...

It is not. Only AMD makes 64bit chips right now (not counting Itanium which I'm very sure no one around here has).

I should also preface my review to say that IF you are one of those hardcore cockpit builders that have all types of boards and do-hickies that require hardware or low-level drivers then I would totally stay away from x64. From a software standpoint the 32-bit emulation under x64 WOW32 is stable and I found that 99% of all my software worked without an issue. I did find that one of my old favorites, Micrografx Picture Publisher no longer could be installed.Other than that, add-on developers need to develop specifically for x64 because at the end of the day fs is a 32 bit app. BUT it would be cool to see a 64-bit flight planner, etc that doens't need to talk to FS. I still have XP on my other partition but by next week I probably will expand my x64 partition to the whole HD and take the final leap of faith.Regards,Mike T.

True, AND the x64 version currently available for trial from MS clearly states "Not Compatible with Intel Itanium".Hmmmm.Mike T.

My pc runs Win x64 ok, and its an Intel.

programs that need Net-framework wont run, at least not on the trial version.

That was the first big thing I noticed in x64 XP, was how fast textures load, while frames stayed very close to the same, textures loaded instantly. Looks very promising even though FS is not even written to take advantage of 64 bit, it still runs a lot nicer.

I stand corrected. Thanks for the info...From Dell website:"Intel

What scares me is once the new Flight Simulator (2006) is programmed to take advantage of the new 64 bit technology, we may be back where we are today as far as performance goes. It always seems that we

Good to hear CH products have built in support. but can you still download their configuration manager? Also no .net framework compatability? Thats not a good thing for all the little add-ons such as fuel planners, etc that I have. Oh well, looks like I will wait a bit. I really would love to try it to get smooth graphics

Mike,Thanks for the thorough run down on your trip down 64-bit lane. I was particularly excited to read:>The interesting thing that I noted was that x64 natively>detected all of my CH products natively and their 64-bit>drivers are included in the OS. My AETI was detected as a>generic controller but is fully functional so I will not split>hairs on this one.as my CH yoke/pedals are the only hardware items I was waiting on to find a definitive answer on go/no-go in FS2004. Might make the 64-bit OS jump soon myself!Gary