XP or no XP?

That is the question...

from Elemental Forums

I found a conflicting report between what I was told here on the forums by a Stardock member (can't remember who just now, sorry) and by what the Elemental Pre Order page says. The page says Elemental will be supported on:

  • Windows XP (Native 64-bit will be available)
  • Windows Vista (Native 64-bit will be available)

I was told on here however it would not be "officially" supported on XP Pro 64. I'm inclined to believe the staff member over the web page because they probably know more being on the inside and the page could simply be out of date and need a update. If this is the case it "could" explain my stability issues. Also I recently installed Stardocks Fences and it runs fine, but, possibly it could be interfering somehow? Just a random thought as thats the only other new program I've installed since the last beta build when it ran fine (more or less).

elemental
7,046 views 18 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

XP-64 is not officially supported, though it might work. Vista 64 is officially supported, as is Windows 7 64.

There is supposed to be a 64 bit version of the game, eventually. There isn't one right now. Havok seems to be the reason for the delay.

I'm honestly surprised at the number of people actually using XP-64, considering it was never aimed at anybody other then professionals with a very specific need, and driver developers.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

well certainly tell them any issues you're seeing and i'm sure they'll include fixes for the release... which is still some time away ;)

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Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

Um .... r u saying no Elemental for windows XP??? o.O

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Tasunke, reply 3
Um .... r u saying no Elemental for windows XP???
End of Tasunke's quote

XP-64, not XP. They're not the same thing.

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

So ... will elemental run on XP? and what is XP-64??

does this just mean I would not be able to run a 64-bit version of the game, period? (if I only have XP)

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

it means that the game will not run on the 64 bit version of windows xp. but it certainly will on the 32 bit version

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

Yes, Elemental will run on XP. If you don't know what you have, you have XP. Normal XP is a 32 bit OS, so it'll run the 32 bit Elemental (virutally all games right now are 32 bit). Since you have a 32 bit OS, you can't run any 64 bit software.

XP-64 is a 64 bit version of XP. It was intended for a very narrow audience, and isn't well supported by Microsoft. Vista and Windows 7 also have 64 bit versions which are much better. The 64 bit versions of those can run 64 bit software and 32 bit software.

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Tridus, reply 1
at the number of people actually using XP-64, considering it was never aimed at anybody other then professionals with a very specific need, and driver developers.
End of Tridus's quote

When I built the system technically I was doing work in the industry so I guess I was considered a "professional".

Quoting Tasunke, reply 5
So ... will elemental run on XP? and what is XP-64??

does this just mean I would not be able to run a 64-bit version of the game, period? (if I only have XP)
End of Tasunke's quote

XP Pro 64 runs both in a native 64 bit environment and a 32 bit environment. It handles both types of applications just fine normally.

If XP 64 isn't going to be officially supported they need to update that page. I'd imagine a lot of people who buy Elemental (like me) will see that on the page and think they have nothing to worry about as far as compatibility goes.

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

So there will be a 64 bit version of the game elemental? I only ask this because I remember the map creator was supposed to be running on a 64 bit engine or somesuch.

If by running 32 bit, I am only limited by not having gigantic maps then I am fine with that. If the limitations stretch beyond map-size however, would be a point of concern.

Reply #10 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Tasunke, reply 9
So there will be a 64 bit version of the game elemental? I only ask this because I remember the map creator was supposed to be running on a 64 bit engine or somesuch.

If by running 32 bit, I am only limited by not having gigantic maps then I am fine with that. If the limitations stretch beyond map-size however, would be a point of concern.
End of Tasunke's quote

Yes, there will be a 32 bit and a 64 bit version (if Havok gets that engine done). The only difference is the amount of RAM it can address, so map size really. The game will play the same on both versions, you just won't have the really stupidly huge maps. :)

Reply #11 from Elemental Forums Top

hmm ... well by the time the game comes out I will probably start looking for a new OS anyways .... is XP-64 better than Vista-64 like I would guess?

Reply #12 from Elemental Forums Top

I have had no problems with Vista 64, however, you should buy Window 7 64 bit if you can.

Reply #13 from Elemental Forums Top

XP-64 is a dead end, don't buy that. Vista 64 also is now, but its newer. Windows 7 is he way to go today.

Reply #14 from Elemental Forums Top

Is windows 7 file-modding friendly like XP was/is? or does it continue the Liscensing iron curtain of vista?

Reply #15 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Tasunke, reply 11
hmm ... well by the time the game comes out I will probably start looking for a new OS anyways .... is XP-64 better than Vista-64 like I would guess?
End of Tasunke's quote

I would say XP 64 still runs better then Vista 64 but it's mostly a matter of opinion. With a new OS though go with Win 64. Sadly they don't support XP 64 anymore which was another big factor in my latest upgrade.

Quoting Tasunke, reply 14
Is windows 7 file-modding friendly like XP was/is? or does it continue the Liscensing iron curtain of vista?
End of Tasunke's quote

Yes it is, another good drawing point. One of the things Win 7 does specificly is run in "XP Mode". Imagine that, it has a Xp Mode, but no Vista Mode...hmmm. That should tell you something in it's-self ;)

Reply #16 from Elemental Forums Top

One of the things Win 7 does specificly is run in "XP Mode". Imagine that, it has a Xp Mode, but no Vista Mode...hmmm. That should tell you something in it's-self
End of quote

yeah, it tells you that it is already running in "vista" mode...   Windows 7 runs on vista drivers (vista doesn't really run on XP drivers, and XP doesn't really run on 2000 drivers.   Win 7 runs on all vista drivers I've found). 

 

To my understanding, XP 64-bit didn't run in full 64-bit mode the way vista 64-bit did.   I don't know the details, but I remember being told it took a few shortcuts by trying to run on XP's services.

Reply #17 from Elemental Forums Top


One of the things Win 7 does specificly is run in "XP Mode". Imagine that, it has a Xp Mode, but no Vista Mode...hmmm. That should tell you something in it's-self
End of quote

XP Mode is only for old non-graphic applications support, specially for applications that were doing things wrong, like writting in "Program Files" (where only installers should write) and things like that. It could be called: "Clunky applications mode".

Also, you can check the compatibility mode from Win 95 to Vista for any application. So don't misunderstand what's XP Mode: it's mostly a tool to ease the pain when migrating in a company from XP to W7.

Reply #18 from Elemental Forums Top

Putting a "Vista mode" into Windows 7 would be like if they had put a "windows 95 mode" into Windows 98. :P Windows 7 could easily be called Windows 6.1 in terms of the actual differences. It's an improved Vista.