Looking for people that have a 64 bit OS. I am thinking of making the switch and getting 64-bit Windows 7, but I am somewhat worried that much of my peripherals and anti-virus stuff and such won't work. If I have to buy a new anti-virus license, fine, I can suck it up.
But what about drivers? I really can't afford a new printer if I get 64bit Windows. The printer is going to be 4 years old by the time I get the OS installed (doing all this in spring, but I want to get my ducks in a row), but will the drivers work? What about my webcam, will I need a new webcam? Same goes for sound. Will the sound drivers that are built into the ASUS motherboard I want (P5Q Pro Turbo) support a 64 bit OS, or will I need to buy a sound card that has 64 bit drivers available?
Help me to please answer some of these questions. I would love to hear that Windows 7 will be able to get around all of this since it's the next-gen OS, but I really don't know. BTW - I will be getting Windows 7 Professional (that has some kind of Windows XP emulator, yes?) if that makes any difference in regards to Windows 7 Home Premium in this case. Again, I would love to get 64 bit to take advantage of the fact that there really isn't any restriction on RAM and the fact that a 64 bit CPU will run better on it, but will the day to day hassle be worth the upgrade?
But what about drivers? I really can't afford a new printer if I get 64bit Windows. The printer is going to be 4 years old by the time I get the OS installed (doing all this in spring, but I want to get my ducks in a row), but will the drivers work? What about my webcam, will I need a new webcam? Same goes for sound. Will the sound drivers that are built into the ASUS motherboard I want (P5Q Pro Turbo) support a 64 bit OS, or will I need to buy a sound card that has 64 bit drivers available?
Help me to please answer some of these questions. I would love to hear that Windows 7 will be able to get around all of this since it's the next-gen OS, but I really don't know. BTW - I will be getting Windows 7 Professional (that has some kind of Windows XP emulator, yes?) if that makes any difference in regards to Windows 7 Home Premium in this case. Again, I would love to get 64 bit to take advantage of the fact that there really isn't any restriction on RAM and the fact that a 64 bit CPU will run better on it, but will the day to day hassle be worth the upgrade?