32-bit or 64-bit

Discussion in 'General Microsoft Certifications' started by Arunram, Apr 5, 2010.

  1. Arunram

    Arunram Byte Poster

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    Hello all,
    How to know whether our machine is 32-bit or 64-bit..this 32 or 64-bit depends on OS or hardware?..
     
    Certifications: MCP
    WIP: MCSE
  2. greenbrucelee
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    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    Well if you go into my system in control panel it will tell you if your running a 64 bit OS.

    Most CPUs these days will run either a 32bit or 64bit OS.

    x86 CPUs will only run a 32 bit operating system but most CPUs these days are reffered to as x86-64 or x64 meaning they will run either a 32 bit or 64 bit OS.

    So a core 2 duo/quad will run a 32 or 64 bit OS whilst the initial pentium 4 CPUs would only run a 32 bit OS however these were upgraded to be able to handle a 64 bit OS later on.
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2010
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, Security+, 70-270
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  3. Arunram

    Arunram Byte Poster

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    actually if we type msinfo32 and if we look at the system type , we can know the h/w..but we are typing msinfo32 which means we are retrieving the details for 32-bit?
     
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  4. SimonD
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    SimonD Terabyte Poster

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    No it means you are running an application called msinfo32, you can still run 32bit apps in a 64bit OS but you can't run 64bit apps in a 32bit OS.
     
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  5. greenbrucelee
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    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    msinfo32 is just an application based within windows. it will tell you wether you have a 64bit or 32bit os. The name msinfo32 does not mean it will only give you info if you have a 32 bit cpu.
     
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  6. craigie

    craigie Terabyte Poster

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    64 Bit.
     
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  7. Kitkatninja
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    Right click "My Computer", then properties - it'll tell you there.

    Yes, it depends on both. You can't install a 64bit OS on a 32bit CPU unless it has 64-bit extension. And if you install a 32bit OS on 64bit hardware, then the OS will still be 32bit.

    See here from more information.

    -Ken
     
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  8. westernkings

    westernkings Gigabyte Poster

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    And this is someone working towards his MCSE guys :rolleyes: Good to see the next generation of IT Professionals know their stuff.

    THIS +1
     
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  9. greenbrucelee
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    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    My thoughts exactly. This is below A+ standard.
     
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  10. Arunram

    Arunram Byte Poster

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    any command line utility to find the os and h/w type?
     
    Certifications: MCP
    WIP: MCSE
  11. gosh1976

    gosh1976 Kilobyte Poster

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    msinfo32 is a command line utility is it not?
     
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  12. LukeP

    LukeP Gigabyte Poster

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    msinfo32.exe
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2010
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  13. gosh1976

    gosh1976 Kilobyte Poster

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    On windows 7 it does bring up a GUI even if run from the command prompt. It doesn't seem to run at all from the command prompt on Win xp. Microsoft says you can run it with switches from the prompt on win 7 but it doesn't seem to work. Interesting only ever tried to run it the one way.
     
    Certifications: A+, Net+, MCDST, CCENT, MCTS: Win 7 Configuring, CCNA
  14. Kitkatninja
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    From the CLI (Command Line Interface), type in: systeminfo (pre-XP, the cmd is: cmdinfo)

    Alot of information will be displayed, however the two bits of info that you will find your requried information will be under:

    OS Version this will tell you the OS

    &

    System type this will tell you if your system is 32bit or 64bit

    -Ken
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2010
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
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  15. gosh1976

    gosh1976 Kilobyte Poster

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    Oh nice I know I've read about that tool before but had forgotten about it. I'll have to remember it this time that gives some handy information in one spot.
     
    Certifications: A+, Net+, MCDST, CCENT, MCTS: Win 7 Configuring, CCNA

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