Changes to SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4 operating system support

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4) introduces support for the x86 SKUs of SQL Server to run on x64 operating systems as follows:

• 32-bit x86 operating systems may only run the 32-bit x86 versions of SQL Server. (no change for SP4)
• 64-bit IA-64 operating systems may only run the 64-bit IA-64 versions of SQL Server (no change for SP4, introduced with the release of the 64-bit version of SQL Server 2000).
  
  Note SQL Server 2000 64- bit was released in tandem with SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 3 (SP3)
  
• 64-bit x64 operating systems may only run the 32-bit x86 versions of SQL Server. (New for SP4).

There are no "x64 specific" releases planned for SQL Server 2000 SP4. You can apply the regular x86 releases for this operating system, and also for any upcoming hotfixes. These hotfixes will include the operating system code "x86x64" in the package name to indicate that they apply to both operating systems.

This new support for the x64 operating systems only applies to computers that are running Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) in the following x64-based environments:

• The Microsoft Windows-32-on-Windows-64 (WOW64) subsystem.
• Other compatible x64-based processors, such as the Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Opteron processor.

Note SQL Server 2000 SP4 does not introduce support for versions of SQL Server 2000 that are running in the following environments:

• The WOW64 subsystem that is running on an IA-64-based computer.
• The Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE).

For more information about how to obtain SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4), click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

For more information about cross-language support in SQL Server 2000, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Technical support for Windows x64 editions

Your hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for Microsoft Windows x64 editions. Your hardware manufacturer provides support because a Windows x64 edition was included with your hardware. Your hardware manufacturer might have customized the Windows x64 edition installation with unique components. Unique components might include specific device drivers or might include optional settings to maximize the performance of the hardware. Microsoft will provide reasonable-effort assistance if you need technical help with your Windows x64 edition. However, you might have to contact your manufacturer directly. Your manufacturer is best qualified to support the software that your manufacturer installed on the hardware.

For product information about Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For product information about Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 editions, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

For more information about the Opteron processor, visit the following Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Web site: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information. The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.