Things you need to know about your machines upgradeability. You want to check your owners manual or visit the mfg's site
to see if the slot for a standalone video card is PCI-e or AGP. Most computers sold after 2006 have PCI-e slots.
Another important change happening for XP users is that in April of 2014 Windows Updates will stop being available. Soon following
that month, Security Software will stop supporting XP machines. If you own Vista, Windows Updates stop in April 2017.
My advise for anyone with an XP machine would be to buy a new (Windows 7 Desktop) "online" at any reputable desktop computer
retailer (tigerdirect.com , amazon.com etc.) Windows 7 32 or 64 bit will have Windows Updates until 2020. You'll get your money's
worth from the machine. Or, you can by a "bundled kit" and find a W7 32 or 64 bit Disk. Still saving yourself hundreds of dollars.
Now the big question. If you have searched for (Windows 7 Desktop) at Amazon or Tigerdirect and found a 32 bit machine rather than
a 64 bit machine, "should you buy the 32 bit because it's a couple hundred dollars less?" YES! The 32 bit systems will be very fast, provided
it has a good dual or quad core processor (dual and quad cores should be at least 2.4 GHz or higher)
The 64 bit machines were introduced nearly 10 years ago for every day consumers but there is little in the way of 64 bit software.
Future upgrades to your new 32 bit machine. There will continue to be 32 bit upgrades for at least another seven years.
Just remember this: 32 bit cannot be upgraded to 64 bit with the hopes of keeping your programs intact.
If you have multi core processors they will more than likely accommodate a full version 64 bit operating system.
Lastly. If you want to upgrade a 32 bit Windows OS to a 64 bit you must have dual or quad core processors to do so. You
must also buy a Full Version of Windows 64 Operating System and do a clean (new) install of the new Operating System.
Once you are connected to the Internet Windows Updates may see several of your devices e.g. Webcams, Mice, Keyboards,
Printers, Video Cards, IDE Adapters Scanners, Ethernet Cards etc., those drivers will generally work just fine.
Before installing a 64 bit OS on your computer visit the mfg's site and look for Ethernet Drivers for the 64 bit version
of your operating System. That's most important because you obviously need to be connected to the Internet to find
any other drivers that may not exists at Windows Updates but do exist at the mfg's site. Again, you need the Model# or
(Tag# - Part#) of your computer. Once you find the page with all the specs on your computer you can download the
driver or drivers you will need for the 64 bit and save them to a Flash Drive or CD. After your new system is installed
you can easily install the driver for the Ethernet Card and off you go to the Internet for all other updates and downloads.
Example of mfg's site with all the downloads necessary for an Acer Veriton M410 5000
64bit OS can handle way more RAM (Windows 7 ultimate 64bit = 192GB RAM)
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