[sync]

Do I need to buy a retail copy to switch?

[flavallee]

Why are you wanting to make the switch?

More information and details would be helpful.

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[sync]

The computer is for a point of sale system. The POS software vendor does not have a 64 bit driver for one of the devices we need to use.

[flavallee]

Installing And Reinstalling Windows 7

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[sync]

It is an HP computer and did not come with a disk. I assume that the restore function will restore the 64 bit version and not provide an option for 32 bit.

[flavallee]

Originally Posted by sync

It is an HP computer and did not come with a disk. I assume that the restore function will restore the 64 bit version and not provide an option for 32 bit.

That's correct. You need to buy a retail 32-bit DVD and then do a clean install.

Doing a clean install will not reload all the "bloatware" that came pre-installed in it.

What's the model name and model number of that HP? If you don't know for sure, advise what the product number(P/N) and/or model number(M/N) on the sticker is.

Switching from 64-bit to 32-bit will probably destroy the built-in recovery partition, so you'll need the recovery disc kit if you decide to go back to 64-bit.

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[sync]

Originally Posted by flavallee

What's the model name and model number of that HP? If you don't know for sure, advise what the product number(P/N) and/or model number(M/N) on the sticker is.

I can only find a P/N: A7L22U2A#ABA

[TerryNet]

Don't know if you'll have any luck, but I would make an attempt or two to get HP to do something for you here. When we buy Windows 7 (by itself) we get both 32- and 64-bit DVDs. Clearly when we buy Windows 7 pre-installed we get a big discount, but it doesn't seem entirely fair to me that we get only 32- or 64-bit. It's possible that they will sell you for a reasonable price a 32-bit Recovery disk set or a 32-bit installation DVD.

But, I echo the above advice to make sure you make your set of Recovery DVDs now, before you lose the ability to use your Recovery partition.

[flavallee]

Originally Posted by sync

I can only find a P/N: A7L22U2A#ABA

I think you made a typo. Recheck the product number.

You don't know the model name and model number of that HP computer?

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[sync]

Originally Posted by flavallee

I think you made a typo. Recheck the product number.

You don't know the model name and model number of that HP computer?

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The computer was ordered by another department.

It is located at a different location than my office. I asked someone there to get me the info and that is what they came up with. I'll have to go there myself in a day or two since I need that to download the drivers.

I don't know why you want that info but I'll be ordering a copy of Win 7 Pro.

Thanks for your help.

[flavallee]

Originally Posted by sync

I don't know why you want that info

The reason I want that information is to confirm the identity of that HP computer and to determine if a recovery disc kit is available for it.

If the switch from 64-bit to 32-bit goes bad and then it's decided to revert that computer back to its original factory condition, the recovery disc kit will be needed.

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