bhk wrote:
My old desktop is dying so I ordered this new HP tower to replace it. It
seems it has a Phenom x4 processor, 4GB RAM and 640GB disk. Delivery is
expected in a day or so. Re-reading the spec just now I am horrified to
discover it will be pre-loaded with a 64bit OS.
But I don't have any 64 bit applications. Use mainly MS Office, WMC,
photoshop elements, CorelDraw and a finance package. Although I have a
newish LCD monitor my printers and router predate VISTA.

Reading the various problems with 64 bit on these forums I am frankly
scared. I can't afford a learning curve and non-functionality. What do
you advise that I do? Can I down-grade to 32 bit before I start to load
applications? Or are the problems with 64 bit over-stated?

I know the box is over-spec for what I do but I bought what was in-stock
and at a reasonable price.


bhk


Can't see any reason for the router to be affected at all, the only
difficulty you might have is finding a printer driver. Some printers
have XP drivers but no Vista drivers at all, some may have only a 32 bit
driver and Vista 64 wants "Signed" drivers as a security measure.

What operating system does your old desktop have and what problems are
you having with it? If it's XP and just starting to go slow maybe you
could keep it around for a while and if you have trouble finding a
driver for the printer you have the option of sending files to it for
printing. My room mate's printer has no Vista driver so that's what I do

Couple of things... you can try opening up My Computer and right click
on the disk drive Icon. Go properties tools and select scan disk for
errors, check both boxes. Apply. Next reboot a disk check will take
place and this can fix slowness. When the system comes back up do the
same but this time defragment the drive. This also may improve things.

I also find that on both XP and Vista the AVG anti virus program has
caused real slow behavior. The brand new AVG (Free version) seems to be
a little better but to be honest I have given up recommending it. If te
old machine has that on it try something else.