Solved How To Switch From 64 to 32 Bit?

[Britton30]

The OP's original issue was running his old 32 bit software on his new 64 bit system. He mentioned having an old PS app, but has many others he wants/needs to run. So it's not just graphics editing he wants.

 

[unifex]

The OP's original issue was running his old 32 bit software on his new 64 bit system. He mentioned having an old PS app, but has many others he wants/needs to run. So it's not just graphics editing he wants.

I am running Windows 7 64-bit from the beta days and very rarely 32-bit applications refuse to work. Adobe products were the most stubborn - Acrobat refused to run until they came up with the compatibility patch. Most other software simply has newer versions that support Windows 7 and then they run on the 64-bit OS even though they are 32-bit themselves. Nowadays Photoshop is available natively in 64-bit.

The problem often is with older drivers, which are really 16-bit. 16-bit software or software where parts of the code are 16-bit (sometimes there are 16-bit installers for otherwise 32-bit software) will not run on Windows 7 x64. In case the OP has such software and has no way of upgrading (for one reason or other) then the dual-boot with Win2K will solve the problem.

 

[Milanodan]

Lots of great assistance here! So far I managed to shrink the Win 7 partition/whatever and created a 15GB one for W2000. Also renamed the DVD drive to K.

Also called MS to see if they'd send me an actual DVD of Win 7 Home Prem. Guess what, they said I don't already have it installed. What I have is the Toshiba-altered version, not the same as the MS one.

I read Greg's post on how to install a "clean" ver. of Win 7, but most of it went over my head. I don't think I could do it, and don't know if that would give me the Tosh. or the orig. MS version.

Anyone know what Tosh. does when they alter it? If their changes are minor and unimportant, that might be Ok for me. But if they have prevented me from installing W2000, I have no choice but to get the Win 7 upgrade. I found some posts that said I could buy the $89 PRO upgrade (MS) and it would work with the Tosh. version--must call Tosh. to confirm.

That would give me XP, but I don't know if my old software would run on XP or not--I never had XP. Did MS make changes to XP from W2000 that might screw me up? If I get the upgrade and find that XP won't run my stuff, I won't be a happy camper!

BTW, I use Photoshop to crop, restore/enhance colors/contrast/brightness, and to use the built-in JPG compression to make the photo file size much smaller. Tried "curves", didn't help. One day I'll try to use "layers". My other old programs are varied--Orbits, some medical/pill stuff, all kind of junk--I must have a hundred CD's of stuff.

Awaiting your input!

 

[gregrocker]

There is no reason to buy another copy of Win7 because you own one already for the life of the Toshiba.

Of course manufacturers alter the OS, by installing all of the worthless, corrupting bloatware. MS is not going to send out an installer to someone without a MS purchase. This is the reason to find a clean ISO to burn to DVD to clean reinstall. The illustrated steps are easy enough that a school kid can and does use them. Just ask back with any questions.

Can you please clarify why you want to install an ancient OS like Win2000 or XPired? We should be able to help you get any program running in Win7, if necessary by virtualizing using freeware like VMWare.

 

[pparks1]

Can you please clarify why you want to install an ancient OS like Win2000 or XPired? We should be able to help you get any program running in Win7, if necessary by virtualizing using freeware like VMWare.

I'm thinking it's because when you try to install these apps onto Windows 7, he gets something like "This program has known incompatibility problems with this version of Windows", yadda, yadda, yadda.

Therefore, he wants to run something older to support these older apps. I fully agree that I would NOT go the route of dual booting my machine or going to an older OS as the only OS on this machine to achieve that goal. I would instead virtualize.

The issue that comes up now is that since the user has Windows 7 Home Premium, he isn't eligible to run XP Mode free. So, his most cost effective choice would be a Windows Anytime upgrade from 7 Home Premium to Professional to get access to XP Mode.

While I would agree that tools like VMware and VirtualBox would also work great, unless he has a copy of the OS he needs to install, neither of those is going to work.

 

[WebMattR]

While I would agree that tools like VMware and VirtualBox would also work great, unless he has a copy of the OS he needs to install, neither of those is going to work.

He does have a copy of W2k and a license. Now, I thought of something: has anyone considered if his Toshiba offers x86 drivers? It might be x64 only...

 

[Milanodan]

While I would agree that tools like VMware and VirtualBox would also work great, unless he has a copy of the OS he needs to install, neither of those is going to work.

He does have a copy of W2k and a license. Now, I thought of something: has anyone considered if his Toshiba offers x86 drivers? It might be x64 only...

Is there any easy way to check this, or should I call Tosh.?

UPDATE:
Called Tosh., no help at all. Only told me I'd lose their software warranty if I went dual-boot. Tech. said he'd done it with XP OK, no idea about W2000. Also said they wouldn't support me if I upgraded to PRO ver.

 

[gregrocker]

Check the Toshiba Support Downloads webpage for your model You should become intimately familar with everything it has to offer re: Win7.

Remember that Vista drivers work in Win7.

Remember also to first use the drivers given by the installer and quickly updated by optional Windows Updates, unless there is a performance reason related to a specific driver which requires it to be changed out.

 

[Milanodan]

Today I downloaded VirtualBox and managed to install it and W2000 w/o a hitch--rare for me! Almost all of my old stuff runs now. Only complaint (minor) is that W2000 will only run with 16 colors, so some of the stuff looks awful.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[PeaB4YouGo]

Today I downloaded VirtualBox and managed to install it and W2000 w/o a hitch--rare for me! Almost all of my old stuff runs now. Only complaint (minor) is that W2000 will only run with 16 colors, so some of the stuff looks awful.

Thanks again for all the help!

Heck, I'd recommend VMWare or VirtualBox over dual boot nearly anytime. At least, when it comes to problems like this one. I've managed to get 6 flavors of 4 different OSs in VirtualBox.

 

[Milanodan]

Got all the colors now. Had to install something called "Guest Additions".

 

[Milanodan]

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!

I D/L'd Paint.net, and all I can say is WOW! You were right, it was easy to use and seems to do everything I do to my photos.

Thanks again!