Looks like this article may have been a bit too technical for our audience at iTOK. So here it is for the greater internet populous…
Not many people realize, but there are two kinds of Windows Vista – above and beyond the Home, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate monkiers. Vista comes in 32 bit and 64 bit versions. Each version has benefits and problems associated with them and so, following on from last months article introducing Vista to our customers I thought it would be worthwhile explaining why these two versions exist to better inform you if you were thinking of upgrading.
Over the past 12 months computer manufacturers have moved to using 64 bit processors and many consumers using 32 bit Windows XP actually have hardware capable of upgrading to Windows Vista 64 bit. Both Intel and AMD now use 64 bit processors in their mainstream consumer products so if you have an ‘AMD 64′, ‘Pentium D’ or ‘Intel Core’ sticker on your PC, its capable of running Vista 64 bit. If you’re ever unsure, just check with your iTOK representative and they will help you out and let you know in no time.
Now, the bigger question has to be ‘why?’ – Why would I want a 64 bit operating system?
The answer is better security, reliability and performance.
If you use your computer for scientific modelling or architectural walk-throughs, you will see a definitive performance increase from using a 64 bit version of Vista. For most of us however, the perforamce from 64 bits is not noticable. Advanced security however, is a huge benefit to end users and that was my motivation for writing this article.
There are three key security advantages in 64 bit Vista:
1. PatchGuard: PatchGuard or Kernel Patch Protection ensures that malicious software such as spyware, worms and viruses can not compromise the most crucial parts of the operating system. This new level of protection supplements the work of third party virus scanning and anti-spyware tools to ensure the integrity of your system.
2. Hardware DEP: Hardware enabled Data Execution Prevention or DEP protects your computer from the most common kind of attack used by trojans and viruses called the ‘buffer overrun’ attack. Due to the complexity of ensuring every piece of software (not just the operating system) is written securely to ensure that a buffer overrun is not possible, DEP is like a playground supervisor ensuring that bullies don’t steal your lunch. If malicious software doesn’t play nice DEP will suspend it. DEP is an effective measure to prevent these kinds of trojans and viruses from compromising your computer. Note that whilst Windows XP and Vista 32 bit support software DEP, the hardware DEP provided by 64 bit Vista can not be bypassed and is more efficient and effective.
3. Signed Drivers: All of the many hardware manufacturers who create graphics adapters, networking adapters, sound cards and the bazillion other things you can plug in to your computer have to write drivers for that piece of hardware. Drivers are the little piece of information the operating system needs to know how to use that thing you just plugged. Hardware manufacturers have up to this point had more of a motivation to get their hardware working quickly and cheaply on as many operating systems as possible than being concerned with the reliability of their drivers on a single operating system. On 32 bit Windows XP it was not uncommon for new hardware to stop seemingly unrelated parts of the computer working correctly or make the entire computer freeze. By requiring that manufacturers certify and sign their drivers, Microsoft has added a layer of quality assurance with its 64 bit vesions of Vista which it could not provide previously. This is your assurance that hardware will work reliably and meet your expectations as a consumer.
Now, if this all seems to good to be true, it is. For all these benefits there are of course disadvantages to moving to a 64 bit version of Vista. Whilst the great majority of your investment in software for Windows XP will work you will need to use 64 bit specific Virus and Spyware protection since PatchGuard inhibits most older virus protection software from working. The other crucial issue is that you will need to ensure that every piece of hardware you own has drivers for the 64 bit version of Vista. Most common hardware vendors will have 64 bit Vista drivers, but you really need to check everything… I really mean everything – from your graphics to your wireless keyboard – everything. The other thing this means is that you may be limited in the short term as to what accessories you can buy for your PC – a lot of smaller manufacturers and even some bigger ones do not yet support 64 bit drivers.
I hope this clarifies the benefits and issues with migrating to a 64 bit version of Vista. If you have any further questions regarding the content of this article please feel free to contact your iTOK representative – they would love to hear from you and support you in planning an upgrade strategy to Microsoft Windows Vista.
Regards
Joe Cincotta
Chief Technology Officer. iTOK.
