32 bit or 64 bit
- Thread starter JoshuaO
- Start date
megavolt17
Pro
My MacBook was build November 2008. I am running Snow Leopard in 64 bits. I figured that if I can run Snow Leopard in 64 bit I should be able to run Windows in 64 bit. The apple site does not list my MacBook as 64 bit or not, but because I was running Snow Leopard in 64 bit mode I thought the hardware should support it.
I used Boot Camp to install 64 bit Windows, and Windows 7 had no issues installing in 64 bit mode. Bootcamp 3.0 however on the PC side said my MacBook did not support 64 bit mode and refused to install the 64 bit Apple drivers... I searched the internet and tried a few suggestions to let Windows 7 run programs that would not run under Windows 7 (compatibility settings) and found a setting that let me run the executable in the 64 bit folder of the Snow Leopard Boot Camp installer. This installed all the 64 bit Apple drivers (Windows had installed generic drivers).
Other than that hitch everything has been fine. Boot Camp 3.1 update had no issues, now did any other of the Mac or PC software. Windows 7 is running 64 bit mode, and my drivers all seem to be 64 bit as well. It was not as easy as I had hoped, nor as hard as I had reared.
Megavolt17
I used Boot Camp to install 64 bit Windows, and Windows 7 had no issues installing in 64 bit mode. Bootcamp 3.0 however on the PC side said my MacBook did not support 64 bit mode and refused to install the 64 bit Apple drivers... I searched the internet and tried a few suggestions to let Windows 7 run programs that would not run under Windows 7 (compatibility settings) and found a setting that let me run the executable in the 64 bit folder of the Snow Leopard Boot Camp installer. This installed all the 64 bit Apple drivers (Windows had installed generic drivers).
Other than that hitch everything has been fine. Boot Camp 3.1 update had no issues, now did any other of the Mac or PC software. Windows 7 is running 64 bit mode, and my drivers all seem to be 64 bit as well. It was not as easy as I had hoped, nor as hard as I had reared.
Megavolt17
megavolt17
Pro
Yes, I use 64 bit Windows 7 in Boot Camp and also use that partition to run Parallels.
megavolt17
Pro
Correct, a November 2008 MacBook. This is a computer that Boot Camp claimed was not compatible with 64 bit Windows (although Windows 7 had no complaints about installing onto it). I had to "trick" Boot Camp into installing the 64 bit drivers for Windows.
Will Win 7 64 bit work on New Powerbook Pro?
Sorry for the novice question... I just purchased a new MacBook Pro and wondered if I would have the same problem with 64 bit Win 7 as megavolt7 described with his MacBook. I assume not from reading between the lines of your posts but I wanted to check. I am doing a fresh install of all my software from my old laptop which was running XP in parallels only (no bootcamp). I think I might like to go with Win 7 64 bit on bootcamp and use that partition for parallels. What are the advantages of this newer setup and what are your suggestions? Thanks!
Sorry for the novice question... I just purchased a new MacBook Pro and wondered if I would have the same problem with 64 bit Win 7 as megavolt7 described with his MacBook. I assume not from reading between the lines of your posts but I wanted to check. I am doing a fresh install of all my software from my old laptop which was running XP in parallels only (no bootcamp). I think I might like to go with Win 7 64 bit on bootcamp and use that partition for parallels. What are the advantages of this newer setup and what are your suggestions? Thanks!
megavolt17
Pro
I believe all MacBook Pros run Windows 7 in 64 bit mode. Only the late 2009 MacBooks are supposed to be able to, however because it runs Snow Leopard in 64 bit mode that did not make any sense. Seems the installer tries to limit those of us with older MacBooks and claims we can't run Windows in 64 bit mode, but apparently that is not true.
We can install Windows 7 64 bit, then either manually install the 64 bit drivers or run the Boot Camp_64 installer in Windows compatibility mode. Once BC 3.0 is installed it has no problem updating it to 3.1 (and hopefully 3.2).
You can also make a virtual HD using Parallels, that is a bit easier to set up. The only advantage to a BC partition is for gaming, where some 3D games are not as smooth running in Parallels. I've run Halo and Gears of War through Parallels - playable but GOW gets jerky during the animation scenes and if there is a lot of action on screen at the same time.
We can install Windows 7 64 bit, then either manually install the 64 bit drivers or run the Boot Camp_64 installer in Windows compatibility mode. Once BC 3.0 is installed it has no problem updating it to 3.1 (and hopefully 3.2).
You can also make a virtual HD using Parallels, that is a bit easier to set up. The only advantage to a BC partition is for gaming, where some 3D games are not as smooth running in Parallels. I've run Halo and Gears of War through Parallels - playable but GOW gets jerky during the animation scenes and if there is a lot of action on screen at the same time.