So I just purchased a laptop with: "AMD Turion™ 64 X2 mobile technology TL-58...dual-core technology enables you to work or play with multiple programs without impacting performance; AMD64 technology provides simultaneous support for 32-bit and 64-bit computing". Since so much software still is only 32-bit compatible, is there anything I need to do to make sure this thing is running as 32-bit? Is there any advantage to 64-bit?

Whether your processor is running 32 or 64-bit depends solely on what version of OS you have installed. Both Windows XP and Vista have 64-versions; though not many drivers or software support it so using 64-mode is not advisable yet. I'm almost certainly sure you have a 32-bit version installed. You can check that from System-information though (place depends on OS).

I'm not an expert on 64-bit improvements, but I remember it at least has support for 8 GB RAM and it handles processor tasks lightly differently.

OK, thank you! Haven't even taken it out of the box yet but I do agree, it probably is 32.

64 bit come with 32 bit IE 7 or IE6 in 64 bit & 32 bit if you run 64bit you need 64bit Antivirus the 32 dos not work so you can run most 32 as far as i know.{PS}most AV now 32 & 64 bit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of...ivirus_software
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antivirus_software * http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
Freeware
* AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic
* AOL Active Virus Shield (no longer available via AOL)
* AVG Anti-Virus Free
* avast! Home
* BitDefender Free Edition
* Comodo AntiVirus
* PC Tools AntiVirus
================================================================
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_Pr...nal_x64_Edition
================================================================
http://www.kaspersky.com/
Avira AntiVir® PersonalEdition Classic
http://www.free-av.com/
Free virus protection for Windows 2000/XP/Vista 32Bit and 64Bit
and for Linux/FreeBSD/Solaris
Support for 64-bit Windows
http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
avast! Home/Professional now fully supports the 64-bit Windows platform. ALWIL Software is anticipating massive take-up of
this platform, as Windows XP 64-Bit Edition will support up to 32 GB of RAM and 16 TB of virtual memory, enabling
applications to run faster when working with large data sets. Applications can preload substantially more data into virtual
memory, allowing rapid access by the 64-bit extensions of the processor. This reduces the time for loading data into virtual
memory or seeking, reading, and writing to data storage devices, making applications run faster and more efficiently.
Regular (32-bit) antivirus applications are unable to operate correctly on the 64-bit Windows platform because they rely on
32-bit kernel-mode drivers. The new avast! uses native 64-bit drivers, delivering the same level of protection as in the
32-bit Windows environments. The installation package is the same for 32-bit and 64-bit versions - the setup program
automatically detects the operating system it is running on, and installs all necessary files. You may find more information
on avast! Antivirus and Windows x64 Edition page.
REPAIRING
* Limited capability of direct repair (especially macroviruses)
* Repairing files using automatically generated Virus Recovery Database (VRDB)
PLATFORMS
* Windows 95
* Windows 98
* Windows Me
* Windows NT 4 (No Server)
* Windows 2000 (No Server)
* Windows XP (No Server)
* Windows Vista
# avast! for Kerio (shareware)
# avast! 4 PDA Edition (shareware)
# avast! 7.7 for DOS (freeware)[citation needed]
# avast! Mac Edition (in Beta)

Huh??? That confused the heck out of me.

I think all 32 bit applications work in 64 bit Operating systems.... they are emulated to run, but they work. I have never heard of needing a 64 bit version of a virus program to cover it...I've never head of a 64 bit antivirus program for that matter.

AJ

I was comfused to as AntiVirus now one for 32 & 64 bit wen 64 bit fist come out one for 32 bit not do 64 bit now one dose all