I am preparing to transition to Linux on my desktop. I currently am running XP Pro 64, with all the problems that entails. In anticipation of the transition I bought an internal Zoom processor modem (which claims it works in Linux). Unfortunately, it doesn't work in XP64 because no 64-bit drivers exist for it.

Here is the question. I plan to load a 64-bit Linux distro, so will I have the same problem, or will I be able to configure the modem without having 64-bit drivers? Do I need to get a different modem (one designed to operate in a 64-bit environment, if one exists) or is using a 64-bit OS on a 64-bit platform just a stupid idea in general?

Unless this Zoom modem uses a closed source driver, it should work fine with any architecture in Linux. With open source drivers, any Linux distribution can recompile the code into native 64 bit drivers.

Microsoft uses a very different software model for Windows, which basically leaves it up to individual manufacturers to go through the effort of developing/debugging drivers for each different version of Windows. Not all manufacturers can justify the time and expense to develop drivers for XP 64, with its limited consumer base.

It has nothing to do with 32 bit vs 64 bit and everything to do with the Microsoft way of doing things. Microsoft WANTS the different versions of Windows to be incompatible from each other. This forces manufacturers to waste all their time developing multiple Windows drivers. Thus, they won't have time to develop drivers for other operating systems.

Thank you. I guess I will find out this weekend when I get Debian loaded.