Updated builds of Windows XP/Windows Server 2003 64-Bit are now available for download: Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Customer Preview and Windows Server 2003 for 64-Bit Preview.
Windows XP/Windows Server 2003 64-Bit Updated
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
Follow me on Twitter @EugeniaLoli
anyone know if they have SATA drivers on the cd yet? that’s what prevented me from trying out the last one, couldn’t get any darn SATA drivers to work.
SATA drivers are not on the CD. But I have just installed this version on my SATA driver without any problem, I just use a floppy to load the drivers.
In lastest version of via drivers (VIA_HyperionPro64_V099), you can copy VIARaidDrvDisk to a floppy if you have a via chipset
According to the article (actually a posting) this is the first release that supports intels x64 (the nocona). This addresses everyone who wrote negative complaints in regards to this article
http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=7601
Which was only posted on July 7th. Not mad turn around, would you not say?
So, who has one of these boards (the intel, not the opteron) and is willing to report back?
This 64 bit XP shiznit really rocks onward yo. We can download it too… that’s the shit..
Here is a quick review of Windows XP 64-Bit but first, sorry for my poor English ( I speak French) :
I have download the second beta of Windows XP Pro x64 edition from Microsoft, the installation was smooth, exactly like the 32 bits WinXP. The only special this is that I need to use a floppy with SATA drivers to use my hard disk, but it’s the same than with the 32 bits version.
Just after the installation, Windows XP booted and the welcome screen appeared. Themes are now implemented in this version, and, again, it exacly as the 32bits version.
First, I installed WinZip. The 32bits version work fine, the installer chose the good directory to install : C:Program Files (x86)WinZip (64 bit program go to C:Program FilesWinZip so it’s very clean). But I see one problem : there are no explorer integration (no extract to…)
I installed all the drivers for my system : Via hyperion 0.99, Catalyst beta (+ copy the file atiglxx.dll from catalyst 4.9 beta to c:windowsSysWOW64) and Sound Blaster Live beta drivers. All drivers installed fine, no problems.
After I decided to try to play a DivX, I installed DivX 5.2 standard version, I open a file with media player … but it doesn’t work (no codec found). I try with DivX player : it work.
Here are now begin the interesing thing : The GAMES
I decided to launch the games that are installed on my Windows XP 32 bit, I did not reinstall these games I just run it directly.
Here is the list of the games that I sucessfull launch and play a few minutes :
Doom 3
Half Life
Unreal Tournament
Far Cry
Neverwinter Night
Command & Conquer General
Battle Realms
UT2004 (not tested, but I worked with previous WinXP x64 version)
Warcraft 3
Wolfenstein Enemy Territory
Return to Castle Wolfenstein
Age of Mythology + The Titans
Flight Simulator 2004
Game that didn’t work :
NONE
Yes, all the game works file ! I didn’t benchmark all the game but the performance seems all right. I just compare for Doom 3 : there are no performance differences.
I have not seen any bug, all the game ‘just work’ as expected. The compatibility is perfect.
During try Counter Strike, the microsoft firewall appeared and ask if the game can access to the internet, so it’s seems that the new firewall of winxp sp2 is already in. NX bit is also working (enabled by default) but I forget to check if the popup blocker is here.
After the game, I try Visual Studio.Net but it didn’t install. But .NET 1.1 is in the default installation.
All seems perfect, this version is nearly enough to began my primary OS but there are still one thing that prevend me to use this version :
There are no drivers available for my adsl modem (SpeedTouch USB), it’s very sad. I sent a email to the Speedtouch Helpdesk.
“I’m sorry but we don’t have any drivers for windows 64 bits system. As soon we got driver, they should be available on our http://www.speedtouch.com website.”
Well, I guess this will be a very common situation before the release of the official version, we can only wait (or buy a ethernet adsl modem ).
As conclusion, I will say that Windows XP x64 edition (build 1218) look very advanced. I can even say that it’s the only microsoft operating system that I have never seen crashing. With this beta, we can see that the shift to 64 bits will be very smooth and clean.