Introducing Windows x64

The 64-bit Experience
April 25th, 2005: Microsoft officially launched the new Window x64 Editions featuring 64-bit computing this week, almost ten years since the release of the first mainstream 32-bit operating system, Windows95.

This is an exciting and long-awaited development for many in the industry and for the many performance enthusiasts and power users around the world.  From desktop to server systems, the impact will be felt for a long time as this next generation operating system expands the possibilities and "raises the speed" limit of pure performance.
What is Windows x64?
x64 is the name of Microsoft's new 64-bit operating systems that allow for 64-bit applications, memory addressing and up to 16 Terabytes of virtual memory space, as well as being backwards compatible with most 32-bit applications (but not drivers). The GUI look and feel and many features will be the same as with the Windows XP/2003 32-bit versions we are familiar with today. It is what is "under the hood" that makes a major difference.

What does the term x64 mean? x64 indicates support for 64-bit extended technology and is a shorthand derivative of x86-64, a term commonly used to describe processors that have added 64-bit extensions to the industry-standard x86 instruction set (e.g., AMD Athlon 64, AMD Opteron, Intel Xeon with EM64T and Intel Pentium with EM64T).

Why use Windows x64?
Why go 64-bit? What are the advantages? High performance platform for the next generation of applications. Windows XP Professional x64 Edition will currently support up to 128 gigabytes (GB) of RAM and 16 terabytes of virtual memory, enabling applications to run faster when working with large data sets. Applications can preload substantially more data into virtual memory, allowing rapid access by the 64-bit processor.

What benefits do customers get from Windows XP Professional x64 Edition? Microsoft x64 Edition brings customers cutting edge technology by providing a faster and more reliable system to take advantage of the new advanced 64-bit applications. With much greater addressable memory, Microsoft’s Professional x64 Edition breaks the 4GB barrier on a 32-bit system, greatly enhancing the speed of memory intensive applications and processes.  

By delivering greater memory addressability, floating-point performance, and other features, customers are able to run applications faster, scale workloads higher, and get more work out of each PC - whether that’s measured by throughput, price-performance, etc. Getting more done in less time is a key reason many will want to upgrade.
Windows x64 Editions
Both desktop/workstation and server versions will be made available at launch - no "retail" versions, it will be made available through MSDN, Software Assurance, volume channels and OEM channels.
Windows XP PROFESSIONAL

Windows x64 will be offered in Windows XP Professional (Windows XP Pro x64). No "Home Edition" will be produced.  This version is aimed at high-end workstations used for scientific, engineering, multimedia and related applications. 

  • ASI SKU 36825: Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition ENG 3PK (three pack OEM)
  • ASI SKU 36826: Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition ENG 1PK (single pack OEM)

Who is the target customer for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition?  Business customers engaging in solving complex scientific problems, high performance design and engineering applications, or creating 3D animations will benefit from Windows XP Professional x64 Edition’s large memory support and improved floating-point performance. Specific uses include:

  • Mechanical Design & Analysis (Mechanical CAD, Computer Aided Engineering, Modeling)
  • Digital Content Creation (3D Animation & Rendering, Digital Video Editing, Visual Effects)
  • Scientific/High Performance Computing (Simulations, Analysis)
  • Financial (Data Analysis and Visualization)
  • Future scenarios including advanced 3D gaming, high end digital media encoding and video editing as applications and device drivers are available

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition will provide a single desktop for technical and business applications, eliminating the need for technical workstation users to maintain a PC for business applications and a separate workstation for high-end technical applications. Most Windows-compatible 32-bit applications will run "as is" in a subsystem of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition with comparable performance to 32-bit Windows (see below for more info on this).

Read this from Intel and Microsoft about using x64 PRO on the Intel 6xx series of processors

Windows SERVER 2003

On the Server Operating System side Microsoft is offering Windows Server 2003 Standard and Enterprise x64 editions:

  • ASI SKU 36828: Microsoft Windows Server Standard Edition 2003 64 BIT x64

  • ASI SKU 36827: Microsoft Windows Server Enterprise Edition 2003 64 BIT x64

Windows 2003 Server x64 is aimed at large database servers, Terminal Services, large business applications (CRM, ERP, SCM), technical computing and high-performance clusters (HPC), improved Active Directory performance especially for Enterprise clients, web serving, etc.

Windows 2003 Small Business Server will NOT be made available as a 64-bit OS due to lack of compatibility with Exchange Server 2003.  Also please do not confuse the new 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2003 (x86-64 architecture) with the 64-bit edition for Itanium processor (EPIC architecture) - they are mutually exclusive architectures
Comparison of Versions

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
 
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition offers the power to work with large datasets and other memory- and computation-intensive files in a feature-rich environment.
  • Run your existing applications: Continue to use 32-bit applications as well as new 64-bit applications. Benchmark studies show that Windows XP Professional x64 Edition runs 32-bit applications as fast as or faster than Windows XP Professional.
  • Greater application performance: Break through the 4-GB barrier. Add more RAM for 64-bit applications and enable Large Address Aware 32-bit applications to take advantage of the full 4-GB they were designed for.
  • Same great user experience: Enjoy all the same features as Windows XP Professional, including Automatic Updates, System Restore, and Windows Security Center. All the stability and simplicity, plus a lot more power!
  • Handle large files with ease: Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is ideal for users who work with large amounts of data such as 3-D models, animations, or CAD projects.
  
Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions are reliable, cost-effective solutions for businesses with memory-intensive or complex IT needs.
  • Improved scalability: More available memory than previous 32-bit editions means Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions provide businesses ample headroom for future growth.
  • Cost-effective: Greater workload capability means businesses can replace several 32-bit servers with just one 64-bit server. Keeping with an industry-standard operating system eliminates need to purchase costly proprietary systems.
  • Greater productivity: Deploy high-performance 64-bit applications for heavy workloads as well as existing 32-bit applications at equal or greater speeds on the same operating system.
  • Superior data-processing speeds: Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions are ideal for today’s information-driven businesses with complex data handling and analysis needs.
  
Hardware Compatibility 
The number one point we should make is that you CANNOT install this operating system on a 32-bit only processor! It will not install!

Windows x64 will be able to run in native mode on all Intel Xeon EM64T 800FSB processors, Intel P4 processors with EM64T (currently 6xx series), the upcoming P4 8xx dual-core series, upcoming P4 5x1 series, upcoming Celeron D 3x1 series, Athlon64’s and Opterons. With a large installed based of AMD Athlon 64 and Opteron processors already in user's systems and the current availability of Intel Pentium 4 processors with EM64T there will be a lot of motivation to upgrade the operating system in a way not seen since the Introduction of Windows XP in 2001.  

As far as the other major hardware requirement is the motherboard and BIOS support and using only 64-bit drivers. If a hardware component does not have 64-bit drivers it cannot run. For more information on Intel's EM64T see this article: Intel's new 64-bit Technology (EM64T)
Software / Driver / Application Compatibility 
Windows x64 will run both "native mode" 64-bit programs and most 32-bit programs*. These are kept in different Window subfolders to prevent file over-write or version problems. There are also two different versions of the Windows Registry. There is no support for 32-bit device drivers, DOS, 16-bit, OS/2 or POSIX subsystem support, and some legacy network protocols like NetBEUI and AppleTalk.

32-bit programs are run using WOW64 (Windows on Windows) which is an x86 emulator that allows 32-bit Windows applications to seamlessly run on 64-bit Windows. 32-bit programs are installed into the "SYSWOW64" system folder subdirectory, and 64-bit programs are installed into the "SYSTEM32" directory.  This may appear to be backwards and will cause some confusion but it was required due to programming reasons. Even though 32-bit programs will run, all Kernel mode drivers must be 64-bit. The WOW64 subsystem does not support programs that are compiled for 16-bit operating system, or Kernel-mode programs that are compiled for 32-bit operating systems.

Initially a number of software compatibility issue are likely to occur so any company planning on deploying x64 to users should carefully test their applications first. Another interesting point is that x64 will include both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Internet Explorer. 

*For more detailed information on software issues see the x64 "Help and Support" center: http://support.microsoft.com/windowsxpprox64 
Native 64-bit Applications
Obviously the market is in transition now and there is not widespread availability of 64-bit versions of all your favorite programs. There are currently a number of native third party 64-bit applications and many more will be developed in the next couple years. In addition Microsoft  plans to offer native 64-bit capabilities in its next round of applications including SQL Server in 2005 and the Windows Longhorn client, Exchange Server 12, Commerce Server 2006, Host Integration Server 2006 and the next versions of Microsoft Operations Manager and Virtual Server in 2006.

For Windows 2003 Server x64 tested applications see this webpage (you can click the checkbox to filter for only 64-bit native): http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/64bit/x64/app64catalog.aspx  
64-bit Driver Availability
To go along with the new Microsoft 64-Bit Windows O/S, here are some early driver links:

nVidia Forceware: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp64_71.84.html 

Creative Labs: http://preview.creativelabs.com/default.aspx

ATI: https://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&folderID=27 

Miscellaneous network drivers: http://www.short-media.com/download.php?dc=63

 
Includes
---------------
Marvell Yukon Gigabit Ethernet Adapter v6.27 (XP64)
VIA RhineII Ethernet Driver v3.30.0.415 (XP64)
Broadcom BCM57xx Drivers v7.13 (XP64)
Realtek RTL8110S/8139/C+/810x Driver v6.06 (XP64)
Realtek RTL8139/8130/810X Drivers v5.08 Beta (XP64)
3c940 NIC Driver v6.10 (XP64)
3c940 NIC Driver v6.27 Beta (XP64)
Albatron K8X800 Pro II Gigabit Lan Driver (XP64)
ADMtek AN983/AN985/ADM951X Drivers v2.22 (XP64)
Installation Notes
The following list describes the key changes between the Windows x64 Edition installation process and the Windows x86 installation process:
  • Windows Startup floppy disks cannot be used to install x64 Edition-based version of Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP Professional. This is because the kernel that is supplied with x64 Edition-based operating systems is now over 2 MB and does not fit on a standard floppy disk.
  • You cannot use Winnt.exe to install Windows x64 Edition. Winnt.exe is not included on the Windows x64 Edition installation CD-ROM.
  • The installation process for x86 32-bit operating systems cannot be started from within the x64 operating system environment. For example, you cannot install Windows XP Professional x64 Edition from within the 32-bit version of Windows XP Professional.
  • The x86 versions of the Windows operating system cannot be upgraded to the x64 Edition version of the Windows operating system. However, Windows Server 2003 x64 Standard Edition can be upgraded to Windows Server 2003 x64 Enterprise Edition.
  • The installation process for x64 Edition operating systems does not support MS-DOS based mechanisms. For example, you cannot install Windows XP Professional x64 Edition from a command prompt. 
  • The layout of the x64 Edition-based version of Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP installation CD-ROM has changed. The primary installation folder for Windows x64 Editions is the AMD64 folder. However, the i386 folder still exists and contains files that are required to install the Windows x64 Edition-based operating system. Therefore, before you can successfully start the installation of the Windows x64 Edition operating system either locally or from a network share, you must make sure that the AMD64 folder and the other folders that are contained on the Windows x64 Edition installation CD-ROM are either copied locally or copied to the network share.
  • The installation of the Windows x64 Edition-based operating system must be performed by starting the computer by using the Windows x64 Edition installation CD-ROM or by starting the installation from within another Windows 64-bit operating system.
  • The Windows x64 Edition operating system supports "sticky" hotfixes. "Sticky" hotfixes are not overwritten or uninstalled when other updates are applied unless those updates are a more current version than the file that is currently installed on the computer.

Because of these changes, we recommend that you perform a clean installation of the Windows x64 Editions operating systems from the CD-ROM.

The Windows x64 Editions operating systems may also be deployed by using an unattended installation, System Preparation Tool (Sysprep), and Remote Installation Services (RIS) methods. For more information about how to use these tools, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003.../deploykit.mspx
original Websource: www.asisupport.com  

OEM customers, system builders and resellers please visit www.asipartner.com or call your local ASI sales representative today.