Need to downgrade new PC to 32 bit W7 Pro, RAM question

[stevegnh]

Hi All,

I need some advice. I am helping someone replace computers at their office, and due to some software limitations for existing programs, the highest OS we could do was Windows 7 Pro 64 bit. All was going well until we got to the last PC, which has some legacy hardware attached to it. I was told by the vendor that they only have a 32 bit driver, not 64, so the highest OS that machine can run is Windows 7 Pro 32 bit.

We are bummed, as we prefer 64 bit and bought all the machins (14 of them) with 8GB of RAM. They are Lenovo M93p SFF PCs with Intel i7 processors. Nice machines.

So I know I can downgrade under the current license key and preserve my activation, but the RAM is a sginle 8GB chip, so I can't reduce it physically to 4GB. Will the 32 bit version of Windows just ignore the rest, or will it cause some problems I'm not thinking of? I searched around quickly and couldn't find a definitive thread on this topic (which surprised me - maybe I missed it).

Short of doing this downgrade to Windows 32 bit and losing out on the advantages of 64 bit and the extra memory, any other ideas on how I can get around this? The hardware vendor was pretty clear with what they will support, and my guess is, if I don't go 32 bit, they won't support the device any long (XRay machine for dental office).

Thanks!

 

[fireberd]

Many (Most?) 32 bit drivers work on 64 bit OS systems. Did you try installing the driver? or maybe install in a compatibility mode if it doesn't install in the native Win 7 64 bit.

I have one driver for a discontinued device that only has Vista drivers. They work in Win 7 64 bit, Win 8/8.1 64 bit and even Win 10 64 bit but it has to be installed in a Vista compatibility mode. I have a Roland driver that is 32 bit but installs in native 64 bit.

 

[stevegnh]

I think the issue I have is the vendor won't support it on a 64 bit system regardless of if it works. They wouldn't be able to call for support, and that's a problem.

 

[fireberd]

Could you install a dual boot, 32 and 64 bit OS'? Then you could run the 32 bit when you need to use that system and run 64 bit for the new applications???

 

[stevegnh]

This is an imaging machines. That application/hardware is used off and on all day, probably 10-15 times a day. Good idea though!

I may have a solution though...the vendor, after much pushing from me (how do you give up on drivers for a stupid PCI card that supports a $200,000+ dental xray machine). They told me about a PCI to ethernet conversion box they offer. I need to find more out about that.

But if that doesn't work, back to the original question - if you install Windows 7 32 bit on a PC with more than 4GB of RAM installed, will it just ignore it, or will I have a problem?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
32 bit will only see 3gb's

 

[stevegnh]

God that hurts. But the PC will still work ok with the 8GB single chip installed?

 

[Pauly]

Yes

 

[stevegnh]

Great, thanks.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
You might see about adding a dedicated graphic's card 4gb might help if the machine only have on board graphic's.

 

[stevegnh]

They do. Just onboard graphics.

 

[ThrashZone]

If this is it then you're out of luck these little compact computers are not worth buying
Upgrading is an issue
Amazon.com : Lenovo ThinkCentre M93p SFF Pro Desktop - Intel Core i7-4770, 8GB, 1TB 7200 SATA, NVIDIA Geforce GT 620 Graphics, DVD, Win7 Pro 64 with 3 Year Onsite NBD Lenovo Warranty - 10A90014US : Desktop Computers : Computers & Accessories

http://www.sevenforums.com/pc-custo...52-modifing-old-desktop-machine-new-case.html

 

[stevegnh]

They are worth it if you have a need that requires a small footprint and not upgradeability. For the price point, they perform very well, but I had no intention of needed to add components to them. Anyway, hopefully I don't have to go this route, if the adapter they offer will work. I will soon find out. Thanks for all the guidance everyone.