You will need to do a clean install which will cause you to lose all your programs and data unless backed. To use flash you need to run the 32 bit browser not the 64 bit.

I have flash running on both of my 64 bit systems with both Firefox and IE8 installed.

Hi I am not to computer savy and I would like to know if you would point me in the right direction as far as getting the 32 bit browser installed on studio laptop so  I could download adobe flash player?

You've got a few options here.  You can download the Firefox web browser (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/) and install flash in that.  There currently is no 64-bit version of Firefox, and the 32-bit version works just fine in Vista 64.

Or you can use the pre-installed 32-bit Internet Explorer.  This is found in the start menu, if you click your start button (or 'Windows Pearl' in Vista) and type in 'internet explorer' that should filter the list of options at the top down to everything containing the term 'internet explorer', which should give you at least 3 results.  One of those should be the 32-bit version.  If you install flash in that, you can make a shortcut to that version by right-clicking the icon, then going to Send To > Desktop (Create Shortcut) and it will put a shortcut on the desktop for you.

Let me know if you need any further assistance with the migration to 64-bit.  I'd highly recommend sticking it out; as time goes on, all of these problems will be fixed. In a few years, you'll be hard-pressed to find 32-bit computers, OS's, or programs.  Plus with 32-bit Windows, you're limited to less than 4GB of RAM, which would really kill future upgrades.

just wanted to let you know that you advise did help thanks! I have another issue if you dont mind me asking. For some reason my studio 15 connects to my wifi at home but doesnt stay connected long. it connects then drops the connection and reconnects moments later. Dell said it was a software problem but I would have to pay to get advise and support over the phone. I have only installed itunes. I have a PS3 and itouch which work fine with my wifi. Please help if you can.