Vista - noob here needing help

my vista came with 64bit os . i want to change to 32 bit os either vista or windows 7 . my computer has a recovery drive factory image d. now my question is it possible to change the os to a 32 bit operating system even though it has a 64 bit now . also if something happens or it doesnt work out will i still be able to access the image drive and would that go back to my original operating system of vista 64bit os . or could i make a bootable disc of my recovery drive and how would i do that . remember im a noob be as detailed as possible thanks

Hello IllegalVenom, and welcome to Vista Forums.

To go from a 64-bit OS to a 32-bit OS, you must do a clean install with your 32-bit Vista/Windows 7. During installation, be sure to only select your C: drive to select and format to install the 32-bit OS on. If you delete or format the other partitions, you will not be able to reinstall (factory recovery) your original 64-bit Vista.

Clean Install Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums

or

Clean Install with a Full Version of Vista

Hope this helps,
Shawn

i think it does help thx

im sorry too be a pain what exacly is a partition.i know of it but what is it really . when im formating my hard your saying do not delete the partition right

No problem.

A single hard drive is considered a "Disk". When that single "Disk" is broken up, each part is considered a "Partition" on that "Disk".

In your case, you may have your C: partition that Vista was installed on, and 2 other partitions for your OEM "Vista System Recovery" and "Applications and Drivers". The OEM partitions are used to do a factory restore of your 64-bit Vista. When you install the 32-bit one, you would only want to select the C: partition to format and install to. You do not want to delete or format the other two OEM partitions.

thank you most helpful

You're most welcome.