I have a Windows SBS 2003 server 32 bit. I want to migrate to Windows 2008 server with Exchange 2010. Exchange requires 64 bit hardware. Is there anyway I can safely know whether my existing hardware will run it? I've talked with Dell, but they don't want to commit. I've checked the Intel web site, but it is inconclusive that the processor/motherboard combo will run a 64 bit OS. Thanks!

Hello you can verify by using this tool http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html thanks Mhussain

And please note: When upgrading to Exchange 2010, you can't perform an in-place server upgrade on an existing Exchange server. Frank Wang

I'm familiar with Belarc. It will tell me what kind of processor and motherboard I have, but it won't tell me whether they will run a 64 bit OS. I still have to research the hardware and my research is inconclusive. I was hoping on a utility that can actually test the hardware somehow. I'm also aware that you can't upgrade from a 32 bit OS to a 64 bit OS. Bad choice of words on my part. The bottom line is that there is no 64 bit compatibility utility. Considering the push towards 64 bit computing, I'm surprised.

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http://pixel01.cps.intel.com/support/processors/tools/piu/ If you're using an Intel CPU, this utility will inform you of x64 support. Also, you mentioned it was a dell. Post the service tag and I can look it up for you. --- Example of this utility running on my laptop: Mike Crowley Check out My Blog !

But does knowing your processor is 64 bit automatically follow that the motherboard suports it as well?

"Yes". Really there is no such thing as an x64 motherboard. Motherboards are defined by their chipset. The chipset defines the processors supported. Remember there is more to Exchange 2010 requirements than just CPU... Mike Crowley Check out My Blog!

The Intel utility indicates that the CPU on my server is based on the 64 bit architecture as in your screen shot. I hate to keep beating a dead horse, but does that mean I can install a 64 bit version of Server 2008? There was this in the Intel utility: Intel(R) 64 Architecture 64-bit computing on Intel architecture requires a computer system with a processor, chipset, BIOS, operating system, device drivers and applications enabled for Intel(R) 64 architecture. Performance will vary depending on your hardware and software configurations. Consult with your system vendor for more information. This is the info for my Dell PE2800 server: Service tag: D438W61 Service code: 285-454-888-57 Thanks for your time.

At this point you can't even tell it’s a horse anymore J Yes it will work assuming RAM and disk are also up to snuff. Also make sure there are x64 bit drivers for 2008 (for all your other hardware). Perhaps this is where you keep seeing "motherboard and chipset". If you can't find 2008 drivers, remember that 2008 is the same as vista sp1. So vista drivers would work too. You could play it safe by taking out the hard drive thats in there now, and installing 2008 r2 with another drive. see if device manager is happy. if not, put the other drive back, and you've lost nothing other than downtime. Mike Crowley Check out My Blog!