downgrade from 64-bit to 32-bit

[Guest]

I have a HP notebook (6715B) that came with Vista Business OEM on the hard
drive (i.e. no CD came with the machine). Upon first starting the machine, it
gave me the option of a 32-bit or a 64-bit install of Vista. I chose 64-bit.

Here is my question that I was hoping for someone could help me with.

How can I go back and install the 32-bit version?

I need to do this because one of the weather stations that I will be
connecting my laptop to has an RS-232 cable and there are no USB-to-RS232
adapters that have drivers that work with 64-bit Vista (none that appear to
work anyway).

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

regards,

 

[David B.]

This would be a question for HP. You may be able to use the system recovery
feature to get the machine back to an out of the box condition so you can
select 32 bit. Contact their tech support for assistance.

 

[Guest]

Thanks David,

I've contacted HP tech support and they had suggested the system recovery
feature. I've tried it several times now. That just seems to format the hard
drive and resintall the 64-bit version. It does not even give me the option
of getting back to the step where I can choose the 32-bit option.

I've requested HP to send me a System Recovery Disk. I hope that works. If
not I have to see if contacting Microsoft directly will give me answers.

cheers,

Raghu

 

[David B.]

Microsoft will likely provide no support as your system and Windows license
is OEM, and the choice HP gives you is their setup, Microsoft has nothing to
do with it.