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    Downgrading Vista 64 bit to 32 bit

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by YoungN5, Nov 8, 2008.

  1. YoungN5

    YoungN5 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi I currently have Windows Vista 64 bit installed on my Sager. Sager graciously provided me with a 32/64 - bit CD so I could choose which one I wanted. Well, due to the lack of drivers and compatibility, I want to install 32-bit Vista. Is there anyway to install it without formatting my hard drive? Can I keep all my files and programs??

    Also, I'm hesitant on formatting my hard drive because I've never done it before. Is there a good guide to doing so?? thanks in advance!
     
    YoungN5, Nov 8, 2008
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  2. whizzo

    whizzo Notebook Prophet

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    out of interest, why are you switching? 64bit should theoretically be better...
     
    whizzo, Nov 8, 2008
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  3. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    You don't really need to do anything separately to format the drive... just run the Windows installer.

    But you do need to back up your files first. I'm not sure if the installer will keep your old files on the disk or not.
     
    swarmer, Nov 8, 2008
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  4. YoungN5

    YoungN5 Notebook Enthusiast

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    well i want to play some older games like rise of nations and diablo 2 and i cant on vista 64 bit.

    and swarmer i tried that last night and there was an error in installation. I don't know why but it didn't work.
     
    YoungN5, Nov 8, 2008
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  5. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    Have you tried Compatibility mode? And for Diablo2, just download the latest patch.
     
    Budding, Nov 8, 2008
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  6. YoungN5

    YoungN5 Notebook Enthusiast

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    a new patch came out for 64 bit for diablo 2? I could run the game but i would get 6-10 fps unless i ran it in a window, which I couldn't take.

    I cannot even install rise of nations. It simply states you cannot install it and to check to see if your operating system is 64 bit, in which case mine is. So I assume it cannot run on the version I have. I did try compatibility mode also.
     
    YoungN5, Nov 8, 2008
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  7. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    Ah, just run the Diablo 2 Hardware Test which can be found on the D2 installation disc, or in the D2 folder in the start menu.

    Is your Rise of Nations edition an OEM one which came with your nVidia (9600GT) GPU? This is the first time I've heard of the game not installing on Vista64.
     
    Budding, Nov 8, 2008
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  8. YoungN5

    YoungN5 Notebook Enthusiast

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    No its definitely not OEM.

    Okay I tried again and this is the exact error message: "The version of this file is not compatible with the version of Windows you're running. Check your computer's system information to see whether you need x86 or x64 version of the program, and then contact the software publisher."

    So I either need 32-bit vista or i need 64-bit rise of nations. Since i already have 32-bit vista I figure I can just install that.
     
    YoungN5, Nov 8, 2008
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  9. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    Install it in a VM if you have enough RAM, or just dual boot the OS.
     
    Budding, Nov 8, 2008
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