Confused with which OS to use for Pro Tools 8

[Rukas]

Im about to do a full system reformat on my machine and install Pro Tools 8.

The machine is 64 bit, which means I can install a 64 bit OS or go down to 32. The machine right now has 4gigs of RAM but I hope to expand to 8 if I go with a 64bit install.

So my question is, which OS? Vista or XP? And 64 or 32? Which is better for Pro Tools 8?

[Rukas]

Oh and if it makes any difference, Mbox2pro.

[TOM@METRO]

You have a firewire interface so, XP 32bit for now, W7 is looking good for the future.

[sunburst79]

XP

[sw rec]

BUT Vista in and of itself is a MAJOR resource hog, and the overwhelming opinion on here seems to be that XP will result in a much smoother-operating Pro Tools installation.
Operative phrase on W7 is "for the future" and while some people have shown some success with it, best to stick with a proven, supported OS for now. AND the one that's the most trouble-free, which would be XP.

[Rukas]

Originally Posted by Benoni

Just wait a couple months for Win 7, or go for Vista for now, Vista users will get a nice price break when purchasing Windows 7, XP users wont.

And im sure you already know Pro Tools is not 64 bit compatible.

Dont remind me, but other software used will be so 64 is a benefit to me, at the very least Vista will recognize the 4gigs in there use 1.5 for itself and throw the other 2.5 to Pro Tools compared to 32 bit which will use 1.5 for itself and 1.5 for PT.

Ebay has the best deals on new full version Windows Vista, I paid $160 for Ultimate, you get both 32 and 64 bit disks.

I have Vista Ultimate 64, if I install that PT will still work as a 32 bit app correct?

[sw rec]

I have Vista Ultimate 64, if I install that PT will still work as a 32 bit app correct?

Probably not. Pro tools was written as a 32-bit application, and while some people have it working (sometimes anyway) if (or is that WHEN?) you start having off-the-wall errors and unexplainable "well, it USEd to work fine" problems with it, you will get ZERO tech support from Digi because they recommend against it. Unless you have the time and can spare the interruption in work flow to be a beta tester, your best bet right now is Xp. 32 bit. Straight from the DIGI website:

• Not Supported:
  • Windows Vista 64-bit (any version)
  • Windows XP 64-bit
  • Windows XP Media Center Edition
  • Windows 98, Me, 2000, NT, 95, 3.1, DOS
• Not Tested:
  • Windows XP SP1 or SP2
  • Windows Vista without SP1
  • Windows Vista Home and Home Premium Edition
  • Although Windows Vista Home and Home Premium Edition have not been tested or qualified by Digidesign, there are currently no known issues with Vista Home and Home Premium 32-bit operating systems and Pro Tools LE 8.0 compared to the supported Windows Vista Business or Ultimate Edition operating systems.

[TOM@METRO]

Originally Posted by Rukas

at the very least Vista will recognize the 4gigs in there use 1.5 for itself and throw the other 2.5 to Pro Tools compared to 32 bit which will use 1.5 for itself and 1.5 for PT.

With Win XP and the employment of the /3GB switch you can allocate up to 2.7GB of RAM to PT.

[Shan]

Originally Posted by Rukas

So my question is, which OS? Vista or XP? And 64 or 32? Which is better for Pro Tools 8?

XP 32bit.

Shane