I have been using Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit for more than a month and I must say I am pretty comfortable with it. Even though not much changes from Windows XP besides the GUI, it supports DirectX 10 which is a must have for all gamers.

Till now, I have gotten only 1 Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) when I am upgrading to the Windows Vista 64-bit service pack 1. Since then, I have not gotten a single crash *TOUCH WOOD*.

Most of the applications out there that works for 32-bit WILL WORK WELL with 64-bit. The only exception I can think of is anti-virus software like NOD32 where it specifically requires a 64-bit version of it.

As for games, the only complain I have is with Steam. Regardless whether I do a proper exit or an improper one for any Steam games, once the game exits, Windows Vista will gave me the stopped working message, “hl2.exe has stopped working”. Apparently after doing some Googling, it is a known problem and there is a fix for it. I am still waiting for Valve to resolve this issue.

The only thing you need to take note is peripherals drivers. If you are using 64-bit OS, you NEED to be using a 64-bit version of your peripheral driver and not a 32-bit one. If your peripheral don’t support 64-bit OS, I think it is time for you to dump it and get a new one.

Somehow I feel safer when using Windows Vista 64-Bit as compared to Windows XP 32-bit as I know there are lesser viruses for Windows Vista and even lesser for the Windows Vista 64-bit as compared to Windows XP. I am keeping my fingers cross.

PS: I am NOT paid by Microsoft to promote Windows Vista, what have been mentioned are my personal views.

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 is due to be out tomorrow (29th April 2008), but apparently the file it is already on the Windows Update server. If you are suspicious of the authenticity of Windows XP Service Pack 3 file posted by 3rd party sites, this is the link for you as it is directly from Microsoft.

Here is the direct link (Right Click -> Save Link As). The file size is 316.43MB (331,805,736 bytes).

The official hashes for the Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 posted on TechNet are as follows:

• CRC32: C411A9DA
• MD5: BB25707C919DD835A9D9706B5725AF58
• SHA-1: C81472F7EEEA2ECA421E116CD4C03E2300EBFDE4

You can verify the hashes by using FileVerifier++, it is a freeware.

Source: Neowin: Windows XP SP3 Now on Windows Update

*UPDATE* Just downloaded the file and verify the checksum with FileVerifier++ and all the 3 hashes (CRC32, MD5 and SHA-1) matches exactly. Now I am going to install it.

*UPDATE 2* Installed WinXP SP3 and everything works normally at the moment. Firefox 3 Beta 5 loads MUCH FASTER.