My uncle has gone out and bought a new laptop with Windows 7 64bit installed, but a major programme that he uses for work only supports 32bit os. I was wondering if it was possible to get an external hard drive, install Windows 7 32bit and boot from that on the laptop whenever he needs to use that particular programme. Is this possible or am I overlooking a simpler solution? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Is it possible to boot from usb external hd?
- Thread starter ant2k50
- Start date
It should be. Most modern laptops have an option to select your boot device on start-up by pressing one of the "F" keys.
Another way would be to partition the drive and install the 32 bit version on the other Partition.
This way should automatically create a dual boot menu at start-up asking which windows you want to load.
Another way would be to partition the drive and install the 32 bit version on the other Partition.
This way should automatically create a dual boot menu at start-up asking which windows you want to load.
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You could try running the program in Compatibilty mode?
only works if the issue if windows version, not 32 bit to 64bit. I had the problem with an old version of Autocad (2004) I was given by work, but googled it and found out I needed 2007 or newer and got that instead
Thanks for the replies so far - the compatibility mode thing definitely doesn't work. The idea of creating a partition sounds good, though I've not done it before - is it difficult to do? The laptop has 3GB of Ram, but since it's brand new I might use the installing 32bit instead of the 64bit as a very last resort.
It is pretty straight forward to do. There's plenty of info on how to just google "dual boot win7 32 and 64 bit"
But on the other hand. If you are not going to fit any more than the 3 gigs of ram then just format and install the 32 bit version.
But on the other hand. If you are not going to fit any more than the 3 gigs of ram then just format and install the 32 bit version.
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You can get a tool that will copy your activation file and then restore it on your new install, as some OEM versions have keys that are tied to 32/64bit even though the keys are supposed to work for both as stated by microsoft (specifically about oem versions). If its retail then there are no issues and you will have the media already too
+1
Although if you really are against it you can create a GParted Live CD and create a new partition from that.
It's quite a nice GUI and all you need to do is use the sliders to resize the current partition, and then click on New and choose NTFS and it will create a new partition for you. I'm sure there's plenty of help with picures on google too if what I just said makes no sense lol
It feels as though it would be just a lot easier just to install 32 bit as the main OS lol