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mikey250

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x32 bit & x64 bit x86 bit

I have 8 year old pentium 2/3 pc's x 4 and an IBM desktop x 1 which were originally used for NT4 for servers or workstations.

i have been using them to install with win 2003 with no probems.
when i normally download something and it states say x64 bit or x86 bit, I would normally choose x86bit.  I have now got a windows eval disc for win 2008 but the disc says x64 bit only.  can i use this on my same pc's as ive looked on google and it did say that i may need more memory or increased paging file which will degrade pc!!

can anyone shed any light on this particular situation and can i still use these discs in my test environment ok still?
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Shreedhar Ette
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mikey250

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hi this is what ive found so far, can anyone comment:

x86 is the family of Intel and AMD processors that use the CPU architecture that first came out with the 16-bit Intel 8086 processor back in the late 1970s. Since then, this architecture has evolved through iterations like the 80286, 80386, 80486, etc., which is why CPUs based on this architecture are known as x86 processors.

There are two current implementations of x86:

x86-32 (or "IA-32"). This is running 32-bit operating systems on an x86 processor that can support it.

x86-64 (also known as AMD64 or Intel EM64T.). This is running a 64-bit operating system on an x86 processor that can support it.

All current Intel Core 2 and Core i7 CPUs as well as AMD Athlon 64, Opteron 64, Phenom and Phenom II CPUs can run both x86-32 and x86-64 operating systems.

Hope this helps.

EDITED TO ADD:

That's right, x86 is just the name of the family of processors that were developed from the original 8086 CPU. It has nothing to do with how many bits the CPU process data or addresses memory.

x86 CPUs can be 16-bit, like the 80286, or 32-bit like the Pentium-III, or 64-bit like the Athlon 64. These are "x86" CPUs because they all contain some of the same microcode as the original 8086 from 30 years ago. The latest Intel Core i7 and AMD Phenom-II are also x86 CPUs for the same reason.

•      There's no x32. x86 is 32-bit. x64 is 64-bit.

x86 bit is the current standard, but soon it'll be phased out by 64-bit. The problem of 32-bit is the addressing maximum of about 3-3.25GB. 64-bit has a thereotical maximum 2TB (higher but Microsoft could only test this much. Apple claims a few million or billion, but does it work there?).

If you buy Windows, it'll say 32-bit or 64-bit. x86 or x64. Same for software you download (if 64-bit is available).

I'm not sure what you want a comment on ????  You seem to have posted a technical statement... Generally, that statement seems correct... bottom line - you CANNOT run x64 operating systems on older x-86 ONLY processors.  Use the tool I pointed you to to identify the processor capability if you think I'm incorrect.  Let it confirm for you.
1. does Microsoft do evals win 2008 r2 for my pentiums then?
2. and my IBM?
Long mode
The architecture's intended primary mode of operation; it is a combination of the processor's native 64-bit mode and a combined 32-bit and 16-bit compatibility mode. It is used by 64-bit operating systems. Under a 64-bit operating system, 64-bit programs run under 64-bit mode, and 32-bit and 16-bit protected mode applications which do not need to use either real mode or virtual 8086 mode in order to execute at any time run under compatibility mode. Real-mode programs and programs that use virtual 8086 mode at any time cannot be run in long mode unless they are emulated.
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yes ok i get it now.  im downloading a program from the url sent now.

Is there a program for my IBM so that i can also test?
all i know about my IBM is that it is one and as I cant at the moment install win 2003 for some reason via cdrom which im trying to resolve, i cant give you anymore information than, that it is at least 8 years old at the same time as when i got the pentium 2 & 3!
run the same program.

You can also reference specification on the cpu's capabilities here:
http://www.cpu-world.com/
im currently using a wireless dongle connection so my connection is also real bad and can take a whole 24hr to download something or not at all as i maybe on the edge of the network although the signal strength shows as strong!!
It's a 3.2 MB file - it should be a fast download.  Even on dialup, it should only take 15 minutes to download.
its been downloading and still downloading now it is over half way through but doesnt show a time.  sometimes it does sometimes it doesnt.
its just completed so trying now.
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ive just ran the program on this particular pentium but what am i looking for?
I'll repeat my first comment:
If you REALLY think you might have an x64 capable system, run CPU-Z and see if the Instructions line at the bottom of the processor section of the CPU tab includes "x86-64.  if it doesn't, you cannot use x64 operating systems or software on that hardware.

I'll repeat my last comment:
Thus, since these are PENTIUM 2/3 CPUs that are 8 years old, the forth  dimension prevents any possibility of these chips being x64 capable -  meaning, as we've all stated earlier - No, you cannot run Server 2008 R2  on these systems.
understood it was only because i had 3 different types of cpu and hence what youve just said wasnt sure if one of them would alllow installation.  youve obviously done some reading that i havent found or understood properly.

well as all i wished to do was learn win 2008 or ANY version I do have my own personal Dell P4 so presumably from what your saying maybe I can on this machine.

once ive resolved my IBM win 2003 cdrom detection issue i can then use this same program im using to see if it will run and detect what i need to find.  unless there is something in the BIOS i can look at and confirm.
ok calm down.  im following your instructions and have just run the program before you just sent that last message so obviously i want to see whats up irrespective of your other message saying basically dont bother, as ive never used this program before and delved this deep!!!!!!!!!!!!  it is appreciated what im being told!!!!!
I'm very calm... tired even... and now a bit frustrated.  Its one thing to learn... its another when I have to repeat myself
it says: MMX  SSE
Ok guru, but dont expect me to take on board everything your saying even if i do agree as sometimes my reading may have interpreted in my mind different to you.  that is why having your guidance is important to get me on track and ALSO IM TIRED so figure my mis-reading!!!!!!!!!!
repeating myself a third time:
if the Instructions  line at the bottom of the processor section of the CPU tab includes "x86-64.  if it doesn't, you cannot use x64 operating systems or software on that hardware.
yes AS PER YOUR INSTRUCTIONS I NOW SEE WHAT YOU MEAN AND HENCE LETTING YOU KNOW:  MMX, SSE.  THAT WAS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ive run the program also on my P4 and although it says: MMX, SSE, it also shows (1,2 3) what is that just so I know?

Is there any upgrades I could do just so i can install and use in a test environment?
im referring to my pentium 2 & 3 not the P4 by the way!!
ok ive read your comment again:

"Thus, since these are PENTIUM 2/3 CPUs that are 8 years old, the forth dimension prevents any possibility of these chips being x64 capable - meaning, as we've all stated earlier - No, you cannot run Server 2008 R2 on these systems."

tar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!