32-bit OS in a 64bit computer

[phenix]

Thanks for any help.
Hope this is in the correct forum.

I have a friend who just bought a 64-bit computer and has
Windows 7 Home 64-bit with XP. Lots of his old programs he can't
get to work. Would a Windows 7 32-bit OS work on the 64-bit computer????

 

[Acgdickie]

Yes, 64 bit disk are designed for machines where the prossessors can read binary in 64bits and those same prossessors are also backwards compatible which mean your friend should be able to install 32 bit on a machine that had 64bit

 

[severedsolo]

Hi phenix,

If the processor is 64 bit capable, then it is almost certainly X86_64.

In layman's terms this means that it can run either 32 or 64 bit Windows. However, 32 bit Windows can only address up to 4GB of RAM, if your friend has more than that, then the rest will be unusable.

Unfortunately there is no way to switch from 64 to 32 bit without a fresh install, so if you're friend decides to go down this route then he will need to take backups first.

Another option to consider, especially as he has a valid XP License may be to run XP in a Virtual machine. Personally I recommend using Virtualbox for this: VirtualBox although other options include Microsoft Virtual PC, and VMWare

 

[DeaconFrost]

It should work, but a better option would be to run XP Mode, which is free. Based on your description, it sounds like the system may have come that way. If the system has 4 GB of memory or more, it will go to waste with an x86 OS.

 

[WebMattR]

I'd say point him to the forums, and we can help him get the games running. I LOVE battling old games to get'em to run.