Under Windows 7 64-bit, 32-bit applications run fine under the WOW layer of
64-bit Wndows. (The 32-bit apps get installed in the Program Files (x86)
directory.)
Where you can run into problems is with device drivers. You can't use a
32-bit driver in a 64-bit machine. However, there are plenty of 64-bit
drivers for stuff like USB-to-serial adapters and things of that nature.
(Of course, 32-bit programs can talk to 64-bit drivers; this is why N1MM
etc runs find under 64-bit Windows and it talks to USB Serial ports fine.)
Windows 8 takes things a bit further -- under it's default security, it
will not let applications write to the applications folder unless the user
had Administrative privilege to make these changes (not the same as
Administrative login rights). You can elevate the privilege during
install. (The programs will work, but files written to an application
folder will be re-written to the logged-in users personal folders. If the
software is looking for files in a particular directory, this won't work.
So rather than mess with all that, stick with Windows 7, as it works
flawlessly with almost all ham software of varying "bitness."
73, Gerry W1VE (AKA Senior Software Engineer in my day job - deal with this
stuff every day)
On Sat, Jul 6, 2013 at 1:18 PM, Keith Dutson <kdutson@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> 32 bit is more prevalent.
>
> 73, Keith NM5G
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
> Gary K9GS
> Sent: Friday, July 05, 2013 3:07 PM
> To: CQ Contest Mailing List
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] New shack computer?
>
> Hello all,
>
> I'm going to be buying a new desktop computer for the hamshack. In my
> research, I'm pretty much decided in favor of Windows7 over Windows8.
>
> In Windows 7 should I get 32 bit OS or 64 bit? Typical software in use
> will
> be N1MM, Logger32, WinKey, etc. I don't do digital modes.
>
> 4GB RAM
> I may add a RS232 serial card down the road.
> Dual monitors
>
> Looking for a sanity check more than anything.
>
>
> --
>
>
> 73,
>
> Gary K9GS
>
> Greater Milwaukee DX Association: http://www.gmdxa.org Society of Midwest
> Contesters: http://www.w9smc.com
> CW Ops #1032 http://www.cwops.org
>
> ************************************************
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> CQ-Contest@contesting.com
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>
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