Most of my major (32 bit) software has been installed over in the Vista64 OS. That is all my Microsoft office and accounting programs and all of my Adobe suites. Also a few other apps I consider important such as WS_FTP pro from Ipswitch, and a new version of CMS IntelliCAD 6.6 Pro.
The CMS IntelliCAD is the only 32 bit software so far that hasn’t let me install in both 32 and 64 “worlds” at the same time. Their install checker seems to function just as designed. IntelliCAD will live in just my Vista 64 now (as a 32 bit app) since it won’t let me install a second time in Vista 32.
The only app that doesn’t like either Vista flavor is my version of Adobe Encore DVD. It just F.A. refuses to install in either place. Everything else has installed and runs fine. Two other of my Adobe installs did stop and asked me to find certain Microsoft libraries (.ddl)’s and when I couldn’t find them, finished the install anyway and seem to run fine. (hmmm)
The best news is that at least Adobe “Audition” immediately reported four gigs of RAM available to the program. Whohoo! This is the only real reason to run 32 bit software in Vista64, only important if you really NEED four gigs of RAM. Also the prime reason NOT TO PURCHASE a 64 bit computer with less than four (4) Gigs of RAM.
Here is the jewel about 64 bit computing: It is ALL about the amount of RAM that can be directly addressed. Nothing else much matters. Yes you can do “better” math, but the math requires more RAM to display the results. We still don’t have (or need?) a HAL 9000 (2001: A Space Odyssey) flying our space missions.
I did some research before starting all this. There is a simple flag setting available when compiling 32 bit software that allows I believe what’s called long memory addressing. It is a feature that cost nothing in programming effort but causes some loss of register, stack or cache space in the original memory space above 2 gigs that is reserved for the 32 bit OS operation. (This is memory inside the processor, not available user RAM.) So programs that will show you more that 2 gigs RAM available (for the software) already have this flag set when compiled. Those programs will likely (always?) give you 4 gigs of space to use when run in Vista 64. That is because 64 bit processors use internal memory addresses way out in RAM infinity somewhere. Be advised eight (8) Gigs will not be seen. It is still 32 bit software and can only see and presently use four (4) Gigs. I haven’t heard about page swapping, EMM and other 16 bit memory tricks for 32 bit. Not really necessary as the cure is to write 64 bit software.
I did machine level programming on 8 and 16 bit processors in my early years. You wouldn’t believe the memory tricks required as programs got larger. I guess that is why I still like to play with the little “stamp” processors and other control type systems, another whole new hobby. <sigh>
I still have a few major apps to move over like Adobe LightRoom today. I understand it loves the 64 bit world and should take advantage of the Four Gig. As Paul Harvey says, “Standby for news!…”
UPDATE! Installed Adobe Lightroom 2.1 There is a 64 bit install as part of the package. Here is the report from Lightroom:
Lightroom version: 2.1 [512205]
Operating system: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (Build 6001)
Version: 6.0 [6001]
Application architecture: x64
System architecture: x64
Physical processor count: 2
Processor speed: 2.2 GHz
Built-in memory: 4094.6 MB
Real memory available to Lightroom: 4094.6 MB
Real memory used by Lightroom: 245.4 MB (5.9%)
Virtual memory used by Lightroom: 232.8 MB
Memory cache size: 101.4 MB
Serial Number: ************************
Application folder: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2
Library Path: C:\Users\Dan\Pictures\Lightroom\Lightroom 2 Catalog.lrcat
I erased the serial number. Now if the processor was only 3.2 GHz! 🙂
I didn’t realize that the IntelliCAD Technology Consortium had released an IntelliCAD version 6.6. Perhaps this is the ITC’s latest release, 6.5.
I would imagine that if the installer finds a 32 bit operating system it will install as such and if it finds the 64 bit system it will only install the 64 bit IntelliCAD. OR, it just installs the 32 bit because thats all it has and sets the settings accordingly. I can’t imagine CMS shipping only a 64 bit software. Over 80% of their customers wouldn’t be able to run it. A computer must not only be running the 64 bit chip, it must have 64 bit Windows installed. Many who own the 64 bit chips didn’t receive 64 bit Windows with their purchase even up to a year ago because it wasn’t available.
I am not sure how to check what mode software is running in but I would be you that if you could check you would find it happily running in a 32 bit mode with anyone behind the keyboard naively tooling along thinking they are so much better than their competition cuz they have 64 bits.
I may be totally wrong, I accept that. Perhaps all is rosy in the CMS world and their 6.6 64 bit version isn’t a fallacy.
Either way, Enjoy! you have saved thousands of dollars by switching to IntelliCAD, congrats!
Yes, it is version 6.6, just released. (6.6.13.5 Professional) I upgraded from 6.1 PE+ at a very good price. The PE+ series has been discontinued. It is not 64 bit but runs in the 32 bit mode inside of Vista 64. No expectation from me that it was 64 bit. I’ll edit that line above to make it a “bit” clearer. 🙂 All I am reporting is the 32 bit software that runs OK in the WOW64 of Vista 64.
Thanks for the feedback! ~ Dan