Windows Vista Beta 2 64-bit Installation Attempt Failed
13 Comments Published by Kev June 11th, 2006 in techLike a good nerd, I spent my Saturday installing the latest pre-release operating system on my computer. Having bought a 64-bit processor several years ago, now, I figured it was about time to try running a 64-bit operating system on it, so I downloaded the 64-bit version of Windows Vista Beta 2.
The insallation went reasonably well. I had to switch over to using the VIA hard disk controller on my motherboard because the Promise controller does not have 64-bit drivers available, but once that was out of the way the installation completed without complaint. Unfortunately, this would mean I couldn’t have more than my two SATA hard drives on my system, but I could live with that limitation for now.
What I couldn’t live with, however, was an absence of wireless networking. My Linksys WMP54G, surely one of the most common wireless network adapters for desktop computers, has no 64-bit drivers available (Linksys support contritely confirmed this, and assured me that work was underway). An alternative driver produced by the chipset manufacturer, which reputedly works with Windows XP 64-bit, installed but failed to do anything on Vista Beta 2.
I’m downloading the 32-bit edition of Vista Beta 2 now. Somehow it just doesn’t feel as geeky.
You should give Ubuntu Linux’s 64 bit version a go… it’ll dual boot and only needs about 10 gigs for a base system (without media like MP3s or Video but LOTS OF SOFTWARE) It made my old 600 MHz system run like it was a 2 GHz….
If you think the 32-bit version is gonna let you use your wireless adapter you are sadly mistaken. I have the same adapter with the 32-bit version and it doesn’t work either. I contacted linksys and they told me they have no Win Vista drivers and therefore their products wont work on Win Vista. They assured me that they will be releasing drivers after it becomes full blown Win Vista and not just Beta stages.
Chaos, I was able to get the adapter working with the 32-bit version. Linksys’s Wireless Network Monitor software didn’t work, but the driver loaded successfully and I was able to use Vista’s built-in wireless networking tools to configure it.
Um, well yeah Microsoft can’t write drivers for every piece of hardware.
And why do you fail to mention the chip on the card ? Most retail package drivers are just to demonstrate the product working, and then the card manufacturer never again bothers with releasing updated drivers provided from the chipset manufacturer.
So go to the chipset manufacturer – that will be more likely.
But it Seems microsoft is making a mistake. XP, Xp 64 bit, 2003 server, 2003 server 64 bit, vista and vista 64 bit all require different drivers ???
I dont get that. Why can’t they all use Windows XP drivers , even with the poor performance of double buffering, that would help many people use the new OS’s …
Leon,
Vista 32-bit, generally speaking, can use Windows XP 32-bit drivers, and Vista 64-bit can use Windows XP 64-bit drivers.
As far as going to the chipset manufacturer for drivers, that’s exactly what I mentioned trying above.
I loaded Vista on my HP Athlon XP laptop…..runs like a dog..but the Linksys WPC54G card works with the Vista default ‘Broadcom’ chipset client..but only on a wireless network with no WEP. Mine uses WEP and for some reason…WEP doesn’t work.
Not tried WPA etc but Vista Linksys WEP is no go. The Linksys card does work though using native drivers from Vista.
For my WMP54G the chipset is provided by Railink and they have 64 bit drivers of the chipset rt2500. Works like a charm in Windows Vista 64 bit.
I can’t find where I got it from, but I managed to get a modified linksys driver for Windows XP x64 and I’m wondering would that work? Going to try it when I get a chance.
Well, Vista’s been released and Linksys still isn’t showing any Vista 32-bit drivers available for download for the WMP54G.
What’s interesting is that I can upgrade my existing WinXP installation and Vista picks up the drivers and works just fine. But if I do a clean install, and try to use the same drivers, no luck.
i ‘ve got the same problem.When does linksys get drivers for ultimatevista?
I was able to get my Linksys wireless adapter to work in Vista. First I installed Windows XP and got the Linksys to work using the XP drivers. Then I did a Vista update install and it retained the ability to use the Linksys wireless adapter.
hello, i have a problem i have windows vista ultimate installed on my computer but now my wireless card type wpc54g won’t work please can someone help me en tell me were i can find the right drivers. please help.or send me an e mail at dannydijkstra879@hotmail.com
Windows Vista is good but it can hog your CPU and Memory.;`~