Windows 7: Can't Install Windows 7 32-bit on 64-bit laptop

My dell laptop came with vista 64-bit. Now when I try to install windows 7 32-bit on C drive, it keeps telling me it is not possible to install a 32-bit windows os on 64-bit laptop. I can install it on another partition but it doesn't make sense because I thought it would accomodate the lesser 32-bit on more powerful hardware. This is really annoying and if it is dell's problem and not windows 7 then it sort of makes the laptop useless because I hate working with a 64-bit windows os.

you can not upgrade/downgrade 32bit>64bit, are you trying to upgrade , is the Windows 7 disc you have an upgrade version ,an oem version etc its a matter of general opinion that it is better to do a clean install as opposed to an upgrade look in the tutorial section of the forum on how to do a clean install using an upgrade disc hope that helps ,if you need more help please post back

Do a clean install:

Clean Install Windows 7

right I just found out through google as well that a clean install might solve the problem. problem is I have the RC version installation files on my HD. is it possible to do a clean install without a CD/DVD/USB stick or I would have to get them burned on a cd/dvd/usb stick first?

i think it would be the better to burn to a disc that way you will always have the media available to you follow theog,s post#3