OK to install 32-bit XP on AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core?

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Gilles Ganault - 26 Jul 2007 00:25 GMT

Hello

I just bought an Acer desktop that I promptly cleaned of Vista
for XPSP2.

Thing is, I had a license for the 32-bit version of XPSP2. In a week,
it has rebooted on my a couple of times, although I haven't installed
any extra-hardware.

I have a couple of questions:
- is installing 32-bit XP on that CPU an issue? Should I reformat, and
install the 64-bit version instead?
- is there a set of utiliies, either DOS- or Linux-based that I could
run from a USB key or a CD drive to stress the CPU and RAM so make
sure they're OK before investigating further?

Thank you.

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PvdG42 - 26 Jul 2007 00:46 GMT

> Hello
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Thank you.

I have three AMD dual core 64's, two running 32 bit XP and one running 32
bit Vista without issues.
If you have issues (like mysterious reboots) with 32 bit XP, you'll likely
have them with a 64 bit OS as well. Installing the 64 bit XP, after finding
all the necessary drivers (you hope), probably isn't worth it, unless you
intend to get > 4 Gig of RAM or want to run software that requires a 64 bit
OS.

Google for Prime95, Memtest86 and Orthos for tools to stress test your
system.

Also, check the AMD site for CPU drivers.

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_871,00.html

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Gilles Ganault - 26 Jul 2007 04:00 GMT

>I have three AMD dual core 64's, two running 32 bit XP and one running 32
>bit Vista without issues.

OK.

>Google for Prime95, Memtest86 and Orthos for tools to stress test your
>system.
>Also, check the AMD site for CPU drivers.

I'm on my way.

Thanks!

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Skybuck Flying - 26 Jul 2007 09:52 GMT

Did you install any extra drivers for your new desktop ?

If so might be a driver issue.

Try removing all drivers.

Then try one driver at a time for a while.

Or vice versa is maybe even better.

If you suspect some driver is the problem then remove it.

Unless you don't really mind the reboots.

Best is to make sure you get the blue screen.

Windows XP automatically reboots, unless you tell it to show the blue
screen.

The blue screen contains information which might further give you hints
which driver is at fault.

Then you might remove that driver and/or try an updated/new driver.

If you have an nvidia firewall then I can asure you that's your problem
right there ;)

Nvidia firewall drivers are buggy as hell, don't install them ;)

Bye,
Skybuck.

> Hello
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Thank you.

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Gilles Ganault - 28 Jul 2007 16:38 GMT

>Did you install any extra drivers for your new desktop ?

I suspect this is what it is... but I can't find anything: Since it's
one of those small-factor boxes, I didn't add anything in there: I
only plugged an external IDE drive through USB.

I ran Mem86 and MS' Windows Memory Manager, with no fault. Also ran
Hitachi's disk utility, no error either.

More likely, it's a .SYS file installed by an application. I'll see if
System Recovery solves the issue.

>If you have an nvidia firewall then I can asure you that's your problem
>right there ;)

Mmm... No firewall, but this box does have an embedded Nvidia video on
the mobo: "NVIDIA® GeForce® 6150 graphics render stunning imagery and
3D graphics while PureVideo technology enhances 2D video playback"
http://global.acer.com/products/desktop/asl100.htm

>Nvidia firewall drivers are buggy as hell, don't install them ;)

Unfortunately, as it's on the motherboard...

Thanks for the tips.

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