[Ham-Computers] Windows version question

[nn6o]

In case it hasn't been answered...

The "System" control panel should tell you if you're running 64-bit Windows.
Under the "General" tab, if 64-bit is listed, then you're running a 64-bit
flavor.  If not listed, it's 32-bit (aka, x86).  The "System" control panel is
its own icon if you have the "Classic" control panel view.  Otherwise, it can
be found under the "Performance and Maintenance" category if using the
"Category" control panel view.  And, the shortcut is to right-click "Computer"
or "My Computer" -> Properties.  "Computer" is found either in the Start Menu
or on your desktop.

Another quick and easy check (though not necessarily an "absolute" method):
64-bit editions of Windows create a "Program Files (x86)" folder in the root
of the %SystemDrive% (usually C:).  This is where 32-bit Windows apps are
installed.  If this folder exists, then it's a good bet that the system is
running a 64-bit flavor of Windows.

For reference:  In 64-bit Windows installations, the 64-bit system libraries
and apps are stored in the %SystemRoot%\system32 folder (e.g.
C:\windows\system32) and the 32-bit libraries and apps are stored in
%SystemRoot%\SysWOW64.  The "system32" folder was kept for compatibility
reasons and 32-bit calls are redirected by the kernel to the SysWOW64 folder.
Yes, it is backwards!  

And, one last method - download a simple 64-bit app and try to run it - it
will not work on a 32-bit OS.  In fact, the icon might not even show up
properly.  For example, go here and get "CPU-Z", a great tool to determine
what processor is in your computer and the RAM specs (timings, SPD, etc):

  http://www.cpuid.org

Go to the downloads page and download the ZIP version (does not need to be
installed).  Unzip the contents to a folder and run it.  The x64 and x86
versions will only run on their respective platforms.  I use this tool almost
daily when troubleshooting computers.  Another good tool is "PC Wizard", also
from cpuid.org.  Again, download the ZIP version, unzip contents, and run - it
will show you just about everything you want to know about your computer.

So, to recap - "System" control panel, "C:\Program Files (x86)",
"c:\windows\syswow64", and run a small/simple 64-bit app - all of these help
you determine if you're running a 64-bit flavor of Windows.


73,

  - Aaron, NN6O



-----Original Message-----
From: ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of WA5CAB at cs.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 9:25 PM
To: Ham-Computers at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Ham-Computers] Windows version question

How do you tell whether the version of XP you are running is 32 bit or 64 bit?
I always assumed 32 bit but nothing on the machine thta I can find says one
way or the other.  I tried to download a copy of the current Autocad DWG
viewer, had to choose 32 or 64 bit, picked the former and can't get it to
install.  It keeps claiming that .Net 4 is required and isn't installed (yet
it is).

Robert Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480