Convert from Windows XP Professional x64 to x32?

Question

Greetings,   First, I'm not technically saavy and still trying to figure out how the phone works (LOL), so keep that in mind.  I purchased a new Dell desktop which had Windows XP Professional X64 already loaded on it and unfortunately did not understand what the X64 meant; now after reading the information about it, I know that it's the wrong version for me and want to change to XP Professional 32 bit, however I have tried to convert by downloading the XP Professional 32 bit, but it's not working.   Can anybody advise how to do this? None of my software works, including Antivirus software so I'm not able to really use this new desktop.  I know that 64 bit is the future, but I need something now.   Any suggestions or guidance would be greatly appreciated.  Do I need to 'uninstall' x64 and then try to install 32--how would I do that? I'm very lost.

mombodog · Answer

'I purchased a new Dell desktop which had Windows XP Professional X64 already loaded on it'   This is the software you bought, you will have to purchase XP 32bit if you want it. There is no conversion process.   You have 21 days from date of Invoice to return the PC for a full refund or a New one, no questions asked, this is the Dell grace period, after this you have to keep it.

AGBALA · Answer

Thanks for your reply.  I did purchase the XP Professional separate but when I try to install it, I get an error message so I wasn't sure if I needed to uninstall the old first.   Unfortunately because of some delivery errors with UPS, (long and horrible story), I missed the 21-day return window so I'm stuck.   Any other assistance would be appreciated.  Thanks again.

mombodog · Answer

'when I try to install it, I get an error message '   And the error is?

mombodog · Answer

Oh that is only a service pack for XP, not an XP disk for installing XP You can only use this after you install XP SP1

AGBALA · Answer

Sorry, as I mentioned, I'm not very tech savy.  I get an error message that says the file is valid but that it is 'not for this machine type.'   The file has a different extension (.iso) rather than .exe which I normally see, so when I download it to desktop, it doesn't find any program to open it so I can't install it.   The name of the file is 'Windows Xp Pro SP2 Upgrade.iso'

mombodog · Answer

'Windows Xp Pro SP2 Upgrade.iso'  I may have made an error, this may be XP but is an upgrade version, which means you will have to provide another Microsoft product CD like xp home or windows 2000, or ME during install.   :smileysad:   To burn this iso to a CD you need burning software that supports buring an 'Image' to CD. You cannot simply burn the file to a CD, must be burned as an Image.

AGBALA · Answer

Great.  So I bought ANOTHER wrong product...I'm just striking out!   I'll have to search for the full version...again!   Thanks again.

AGBALA · Answer

Thanks.  This whole episode has left a bad taste in my mouth.  This was suppose to be a nice, simple new PC for my home office and has turned into a nightmare.   Anyway, thanks again for your advice and insights.  I think I'll try to sell the PC and start over.   All the best,   Daniel

Windows General

Convert from Windows XP Professional x64 to x32?

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