[Ham-Computers] Windows version question

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

Thanks.  I had learned that on the General tab of the system properties 
window if it didn't say it was 64 bit, it was 32 bit.  But didn't come across 
the info on the organization of the SystemDrive root directory.

Robert

In a message dated 05/31/2012 17:03:29 PM Central Daylight Time, 
nn6o.lists at pacbell.net writes: 
> 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 & Susan Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480