How To Switch From 64 to 32 Bit?

Thanks, all.

Just remembered something. WiFi is a MUST for the laptop. Is W2000 compatible with WiFi?--don't think so.

Britton30 said:

Thank you Greg, I was unaware of that stipulation.

There you go Milanodan, but first you should check to see if the software you have is even compatible with Win7.
It sounds like it may be too old?

Yes, my old software is a problem. It runs fine on W2000. If I could get W2000 to work with WiFi I'd be all set. That's why I think I need both op. versions with some kind of boot manager.

Britton30 said:

You could still set up a dual boot system by installing XP (which you would need to buy) on its own partition. OR the upgrade to Win7 Pro with XP MODE, it's free from MS.
Hmm, I'm not sure if one can buy XP now.

Looks like W2000 won't do well with new hardware, so that's out. Guess I'll go for the Win 7 PRO upgrade and see if I can get the XP/virtual thing to work.

I'll also try Greg's procedure on the clean Win 7 reinstall. Maybe there's light at the end of the dark tunnel--that's not an onrushing train!

Britton30 said:

You could still set up a dual boot system by installing XP (which you would need to buy) on its own partition. OR the upgrade to Win7 Pro with XP MODE, it's free from MS.

What's FREE? Don't I have to buy the PRO version of Win 7 and THEN get the free XP thing?

beman36 said:

first off I would not DOWNGRADE your OS for an old outdated program! there is TONS of free substitutes out there! there is GIMP which is an equivalant of photoshop! also there is paint.net! which is another great photo editing and BOTH ARE FREE!! why on earth would you wanna downgrade to less superior OS?!! I cant beleive no one has discruraged you from making a BIG mistake! also ALL programs work in X64 bit and for older programs you just have to run them in compatiblity mode! I play a game over 10yrs old and runs great in se7en X64 bit! there is TONS of bigger/better software out there!

Some people can learn something like a foreign language easily, or Morse Code, or how to run programs like Photoshop. Others, like me, simply cannot learn such things, even after spending 6+ years in Italy. Computer software takes me a very long time to learn.

However, some things, like my field of metallurgy, come easily. I can build a supercharged nitro burning funny-car engine, figure out why nuke power plant/aircraft metals break/corrode, etc., but these computers and I don't get along well.