Today I can officially say that I’ve upgraded from Windows XP-32bit to Windows 7-64 bit. The new OS offers more performance compared to XP, I never had Vista so I can’t offer much information there, although I hear it’s not a reliable OS and if you’re doing anything in terms of image manipulation, that you want to consider upgrading, to either Mac with the new Snow Leopard OS, or if you choose to stick with PC, consider upgrading your OS to Windows 7.
Yes I know I’m a photographer, and many wonder why I’m not using a MAC and the answer is simple, Microsoft is what I’m used to working with, and yes there is some good and bad, but I still see no reason for making the switch. I work with both platforms, but at the end of the day this is where I’m most comfortable and I have no problems admitting it, and no, I don’t wear a suite or tie.
Making a switch from a 32 bit operating system over to a 64 bit means you need to make a clean install, witch means when you install the new OS over top the older one, you won’t have access to the previously installed programs; makes sense cause they were designed for a 32bit platform in the first place, but at least you’ll still have access to your document files, the program files on the other hand won’t work, but the folders to them will still be present giving to you a guide as to what you need to install on your new OS.
Of course your important files should always be backed up on a separate drive, much like the your Lightroom Archive/library, and this should be done on a regular basis.
Installing the drivers on my system wasn’t too difficult, time-consuming yes, You’re required to be around to press the “next” button, but one application gave me a hard time, the i1Match Software for the x-rite Eye-One colour monitor calibration puck! I managed to install the software, however my computer didn’t recognize the calibrating puck…puck! When I plugged the USB in to the port, the puck was detected, however it turned out I didn’t have the right drivers for a 64 bit OS platform.
It turns out there was an update made by i1Match addressing specifically 64 bit OS users, both for MAC and PC.
PC users need to follow this link to download the appropriate driver update, after downloading and installing, you should have no problems, your computer should recognize the calibration puck and away you go! PC Link for i1Match Software v3.6.2 update: http://www.xrite.com/product_overview.aspx?ID=758&Action=support&SoftwareID=724 as for MAC here is the link for the link for the related update : http://www.xritephoto.com/ph_product_overview.aspx?ID=1099&Action=Support&SoftwareID=923&catid=113
It’s never fun having a monitor with chaotic colours.
To summarize, if ever and whenever you’re installing a new OS system and you find the peripherals aren’t working the way they used too or simply aren’t recognized by your new OS, you’ll need to do some digging to look for the appropriate driver updates; remember it’s not a hardware problem if it worked previously on the same machine with the older OS, you just have to hope the manufacturers have made the necessary driver updates, in my case there was, thank you i1Match.
