Windows PE x64 support

[Etre_Libre]

Hi,

I am an AIDA64 user (and customer), and I admit I use it very often.

In fact, I found only 1 problem : aida64.exe is a 32 bit executable, and seems not exist into a native 64 bit form.

Please, let me explain :

Regularly, I use AIDA64 into Windows PE (x86), it's ok.

But, into Windows PE x64, it don't work because Windows PE x64 don't have subsystem WOW64 to emulate 32 bit programs.

For now, I see more and more computers with UEFI, and sometimes with an option to revert to "Legacy BIOS" mode.

If "Legacy BIOS" mode is available, it's ok : I can boot Windows PE x86 and run AIDA64.

But, many new computers don't have that option and we can boot only with EFI x64, so only Windows PE x64 and I can't run AIDA64 with thoses computers.

To solve it, I think it might be a good idea to provide a x64 compiled exe.

What do you think about it ? Maybe is it planned ?

Thank you

[Skuggan]

Just curious, why do you use Windows PE?

[Etre_Libre]

I have few examples :

I have created a Live USB with Windows ADK (Windows PE 4, a Live "Windows 8") : with that program that boot (even with EFI, or with secure boot EFI) I can run diagnostics for PC with problems, change files, registry keys, test hard disk, RAM, Ghost, install Windows, download programs or drivers on internet if needed, etc...

In fact, it's a home made "all in one" tool.

I also use AIDA64 into my "Live 8" with a x86 system, but many new computers can't boot with legacy bios mode ; so I use more and more a x64 Windows PE, but AIDA64 can't run on it.

I had the same problem with Firefox that is compiled only for 32 bit systems, but I'm lucky, an open source project compile it into 64 bit : Waterfox.

[dicht]

Hi,

you can try implementing WOW64 into your Windows PE , I know it's a tough part, but there is a Project called Win 7 PE SE http://theoven.org/i...php?topic=131.0 which seems to have WOW64 support. I have never done sth. with that project, but I guess they use scripts to generate and copy files and offline registry settings, so there must be a script file for WOW64 (and in there you will maybe find the files and registry entries you need for your x64 WinPE to get WOW64 support).

best luck

dicht

[Fiery]

We used to have plans for a native 64-bit main binary module for AIDA64, but due to many difficulties involving the 32-bit --> 64-bit change, Ansi --> Unicode change, and the compiler change (to Delphi XE3), we had to postpone its development due to development resources constraints. We need to focus more on improving the existing features and existing benchmark methods of AIDA64 before we can make the big step of moving to a 64-bit main binary. I'm afraid I cannot provide you with a release date for that, since it may be well in the future (2014? 2015?)

[Etre_Libre]

@dicht : I know that project, but I think it's not legal...

I found microsoft said an answer similar to "it's not possible" or "we can't".

Also, it's official, the subsystem WOW64 is not provided with Windows PE (you can click here).

@Fiery : I understand it seems to be more complicated that I thought.

So, do you plan to create a x64 native version, even a little or "basic" version (with less features) ?

[Fiery]

So, do you plan to create a x64 native version, even a little or "basic" version (with less features) ?

No. We only plan to make a full blown version in native 64-bit.

[Etre_Libre]

OK, thank you

[Skuggan]

I have few examples :

I have created a Live USB with Windows ADK (Windows PE 4, a Live "Windows 8") : with that program that boot (even with EFI, or with secure boot EFI) I can run diagnostics for PC with problems, change files, registry keys, test hard disk, RAM, Ghost, install Windows, download programs or drivers on internet if needed, etc...

In fact, it's a home made "all in one" tool.

I also use AIDA64 into my "Live 8" with a x86 system, but many new computers can't boot with legacy bios mode ; so I use more and more a x64 Windows PE, but AIDA64 can't run on it.

I had the same problem with Firefox that is compiled only for 32 bit systems, but I'm lucky, an open source project compile it into 64 bit : Waterfox.

Oh, that sounds interesting, gotta look at something like this for myself, just had a nasty diskcrash and this is a solution that would have speeded up the recovery time, couldnt run memtest from the windows dvd because I was using Raid mode, it somehow thought the dvd was a hdd.

[Etre_Libre]

Hi,

 

Maybe do you have news about it ? Even a beta version for now ?

 

Thank you

[Fiery]

Hi,

 

Maybe do you have news about it ? Even a beta version for now ?

 

Thank you

 

I'm sorry, but not yet.  We have frozen the development of the native 64-bit binary, and will only continue working on it later this year or sometime next year.

[Etre_Libre]

OK thank you, I will check again later

[Etre_Libre]

Hi Fiery,

 

Now do you have any plan about a native x64 version of AIDA64, because it can really help on WinPE x64.

 

EFI x64 = WinPE x64 only, and I can't use AIDA64. HWiNFO64 helps me but is not so useful.

 

Thanks

[Fiery]

Yes, we still have plans, but not for the short run. Today we still cannot see a considerable demand for such a product. And since it would require us to switch compiler + switch from Ansi to Unicode (due to the new compiler) + drop Win95, Win98, NT4 and Windows 2000 support (due to the new compiler) + handle special cases about non-existing 32-bit libraries ... well, it's not something we can allocate development resources for at this time. Especially when the advantages of such a product would be very small. Apart from supporting WinPE x64, we can already do everything using the existing 32-bit AIDA64 main binary. I wish it was a lot simpler to switch to a new 64-bit compiler...

[Etre_Libre]

OK, so I will keep HWiNFO64 when a computer need to be repaired, because it works with WinPE x64 (even WinPE 10).

 

I hope you will switch in the future to a native 64 bit binary, it can help a lot

[lardazzbuu]

It is now 2018.  Are you guys close to supporting Win PE x64? 

[Fiery]

19 hours ago, lardazzbuu said:

It is now 2018.  Are you guys close to supporting Win PE x64? 

My statement from 2016 is still valid today.