Can't install over my 32-bit XP

[Vince53]

I like my 64-bit Windows 8 Preview version that I decided to install it on a partition that already exists on my 64-bit computer. I had installed my legal 32-bit copy of XP onto this partition, and I wanted to use my ISO disk to install 8 instead. But it tells me that since the system is 32-bit (it is a 64-bit computer, with Windows 7 64-bit running well on the first partition) I cannot install a 64-bit operating system.

Any suggestions?

 

[whs]

Reformat the partition.

 

[Vince53]

whs, that looks like the only way. A computer shop has offered to do it for $30, and after looking over the instructions that are included with 7, that might be my best bet. But I want to research it a little more to see if I can get away with without wrecking up my computer.

 

[whs]

Why would you want to pay $30 for formatting a partition. Download and burn the bootable CD of Partition Wizard (last box on the webpage) and format it yourself.

 

[MadHorseman]

Can't you do that with Diskmanager in Win7???

 

[Vince53]

Can't you do that with Diskmanager in Win7???

I did. And it works fine. The problem was getting my rig to boot off a DVD. The directions flash by during Start-up, but after a few tries I caught the part where I had to press F11 in order to change the bot order so that DVD would be first.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

I'll do it for 20 bucks !!!! --Seriously don't waste 30 USD on something you can easily do

Incidentally sometimes you need to get rid of the MBR when switching from XP to W7 -- whole boot mechanism is different.

From your bootable recovery system (download something like this : Ultimate Boot CD | Free System Administration software downloads at SourceForge.net) and you can fix / re-format the disk.

A /FIXMBR in the XP partition should get the disk to a state where you can create partitions and install W7 x-64 OK.

Cheers
jimbo