Installing 32-bit Vista on a 64-bit computer?

Hi,

Is it possible to install a 32-bit Vista on a 64-bit computer?

I am buying a new Dell Precision T7400 workstation with 4GB of RAM. In a few years, I suspect it will need more RAM.

I thought I should just go ahead and buy a 64-bit machine and install 64-bit Vista on it so the RAM can easily be upgraded later. However, the software that I will use on the machine are only validated on the 32-bit Vista. So I am planning to get a 64-bit workstation, but only install 32-bit Vista on it for now with 4GB of RAM. Later when I have to get more RAM, I can migrate to 64-bit Vista.

Does this plan make any sense? Thank you very much for your input in advance. Cheers.

 

You can run 32-bit Vista and associated SW on a 64-bit processor with no problems, you just won't get an OS optimized for 64-bit support.



As to your proposed "upgrade", last I heard, that wasn't possible. To go from 32-bit to 64-bit, you had to uninstall the 32-bit version and install the 64-bit version. You might be able to save your settings offline and restore them after installing the 64-bit version. But apart from that, I believe you will have to reinstall everything else.