How to install 32bit version windows xp over a 64bit one?

[losl(removethis)]

I have a pc with 64bit windows xp pro installed. Now i want to change it
to 32bit windows xp pro. i purchases a windows xp pro 32bit in a box. i
wnat to reinstall the 32bit version in my PC over the 64bit one. How
could i do that? Should format the HD first and install the 32bit
version as for a new PC? Thank you very much!

 

[Malke]

I have a pc with 64bit windows xp pro installed. Now i want to change
it to 32bit windows xp pro. i purchases a windows xp pro 32bit in a
box. i wnat to reinstall the 32bit version in my PC over the 64bit
one. How could i do that? Should format the HD first and install the
32bit version as for a new PC? Thank you very much!

You can't do an install-in-place from 64-bit to 32-bit. You will need to
do a clean install. Make sure you have backed up everything because
this means starting over.

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows -
What you will need on-hand

Malke

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have a pc with 64bit windows xp pro installed. Now i want to change
it to 32bit windows xp pro. i purchases a windows xp pro 32bit in a
box. i wnat to reinstall the 32bit version in my PC over the 64bit
one. How could i do that? Should format the HD first and install the
32bit version as for a new PC?

Yes, that's what you *have* to do. There's no other choice but a clean
installation. Just boot from the Windows XP CD (change the BIOS boot order
if necessary to accomplish this) and follow the prompts for a clean
installation (delete the existing partition by pressing "D" when prompted,
then create a new one).

You can find detailed instructions here:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

or here http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm

or here http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

 

[Harry Ohrn MS MVP]

You will need to remove the 64 bit version first and then install the 32 bit
version. You can't simply install a 32 bit version over top of a 64 bit
version. This means you will be starting fresh and will be wiping what is
currently on the drive. So if you have anything to backup ensure you do it
before you do the new install.

To run the fresh install boot the computer with the new 32 bit CD. Restart
the computer and press the Pause/Break key on the keyboard. That will stop
the computer from continuing until you press the Enter key. So with the
system paused insert your new XP Pro 32 bit CD, close the tray and press the
Enter Key. In a moment you should see a message that says "press any key to
boot cd..." You have a 5 seconds to press a key. You should see an blue
screen with info that Windows is setting up some files. If your computer has
a SATA drive you will need to press the F6 key when instructed to do so (at
the bottom of the screen) and then pop in the floppy or disk that came with
your computer that contains the drivers for your SATA drive. If you computer
doesn't have a SATA drive then do not press the F6 key just let the process
continue.

So you will get to another blue screen that gives the option to install
Windows or use the Recovery Console. Just press the Enter key and you will
be greeted with a screen asking you to accept the License Agreement. Press
the F8 key and the next screen will give you options to install. Select the
option to Delete partitions, Create a new partition, then Format as NTFS.
Once you have formatted the XP CD will continue to install XP. Typically it
goes very smoothly and takes about 45 minutes.

See here for detailed information including screen shots
http://www.petri.co.il/install_windows_xp_pro.htm

 

[Yves Leclerc]

If is better to format the system with the 32bit version. This would make
sure that the 64bit version files do not get mixed up with the 32bit.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a pc with 64bit windows xp pro installed. Now i want to change it
to 32bit windows xp pro. i purchases a windows xp pro 32bit in a box. i
wnat to reinstall the 32bit version in my PC over the 64bit one. How
could i do that? Should format the HD first and install the 32bit
version as for a new PC? Thank you very much!

Formatting is the only way.

Simply boot from the 32-bit WinXP installation CD. You'll be
offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part
of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of
boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

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