Compaq has suffered a further body blow to its Alpha chip strategy after it emerged any Microsoft support for 64-bit software will be thin gruel indeed. Earlier this week, senior VP Enrico "The Cloak" Pesatori held out hope for 64-bit Microsoft Alpha development, but those dreams have been dashed by a PR release from the Satan of Software. In a company statement, Microsoft said 64-bit versions of its products will be targeted at the Intel IA-64 architecture. It will discontinue development of future 32-bit and 64-bit Alpha products across its product line, Microsoft added. We have obtained a leaked Compaq Q&A which is illuminating to all. (Leaked Compaq Q&A shows level of Alpha chaos) Microsoft and the then Digital Equipment Corp (DEC) formed their NT alliance on 3 August 1995. As part of the deal, Microsoft developed an NT which mysteriously seemed to have lines of DEC code in there. Digital funded the Alpha port of NT, and, subsequently, Compaq inherited that mantle when it bought DEC. Now it appears, corporate end users which took the decision to invest in this future, will be left holding the NT Alpha baby. ® See also Gates hints Win2K shipments slip to next year Leaked Pesatori memo spills Alpha beans Compaq Alpha cuts pull rug from under MS 64-bit NT Compaq set to fire Alpha NT developers Will Compaq change direction on Alpha?