[iamblagged]

I purchased a new pc just over a year ago, primeraly for use with Flight Simulator X, and have had nothing but problems since with graphic crashes. The system I own is a Packard bell ipower 9800.

windows vista home premium 64bit
4 gig of available RAM
2x NVIDIA GeForce 9800gt (sli something or other)
intell core 2 quad @2.5GHz

I have just purchased a Nikon d5000 camera and in the install instructions it states it will only work on a 32 bit OS!
After some learning, I find that Flight Sim X is a 32 bit program, and i worry that the frequent crashes are as a result of it running from an x86program thing.

All OS updates installed, and correct up-to-date NVIDIA drivers installed.

Does it sound like common sense to buy Windows 7 32bit for my PC?
Is there any major problems i am likely to encounter installing the new OS?
And have i wasted cash on my hardware

Very new to this stuff, so if i have missed any critical information out of my question I appologise in advance.
thanks

Edited by iamblagged, 06 March 2010 - 08:02 AM.

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Most 32-bit applications will run fine on 64-bit Windows. It's only device drivers that must be 64-bit versions. However, some games software installs drivers, and if these are 32-bit then it would indeed cause problems on 64-bit versions of Windows.

Upgrading to Windows 7, whether it be 32 or 64-bit, demands that you first know if your existing hardware and software is Windows 7 compatible, otherwise you could have even more issues to deal with.

Microsoft has a "Windows 7 Compatibility Centre" website here:
http://www.microsoft...us/Default.aspx

Click on the "Scan your PC for compatibility" link which will run the upgrade advisor tool.

You can also type in a software title on that page to get information about it's comaptibility.

Another thing you need to consider is that Packard Bell is the only official supplier of motherboard drivers (eg sound and video drivers) for computers made by them - they are often custom-made drivers available only from them. Drivers from elsewhere may not work properly, if at all. If your sound & video use non-integrated cards, that won't be a problem. But If your sound & video are the original on-board hardware then you may be stuck if PB don't have Windows 7 drivers for your PC model.
You should check on their website first.

[phillipcorcoran]

Most 32-bit applications will run fine on 64-bit Windows. It's only device drivers that must be 64-bit versions. However, some games software installs drivers, and if these are 32-bit then it would indeed cause problems on 64-bit versions of Windows.

Upgrading to Windows 7, whether it be 32 or 64-bit, demands that you first know if your existing hardware and software is Windows 7 compatible, otherwise you could have even more issues to deal with.

Microsoft has a "Windows 7 Compatibility Centre" website here:
http://www.microsoft...us/Default.aspx

Click on the "Scan your PC for compatibility" link which will run the upgrade advisor tool.

You can also type in a software title on that page to get information about it's comaptibility.

Another thing you need to consider is that Packard Bell is the only official supplier of motherboard drivers (eg sound and video drivers) for computers made by them - they are often custom-made drivers available only from them. Drivers from elsewhere may not work properly, if at all. If your sound & video use non-integrated cards, that won't be a problem. But If your sound & video are the original on-board hardware then you may be stuck if PB don't have Windows 7 drivers for your PC model.
You should check on their website first.