Lost amid a world of chaos

Ok here we go. Please remember I'm a gamer and not really to much into repairing a computer.

This is what happened. I have Windows Vista X64 on a 6600 older Vigor Gaming Rig. Today I got home and started my internet up. Download a new game.. then I started to get a white screen. I could control alt delete and it would go back to the sign in which I could see. Click on my screen name and back to white screen. Went to safe mode and did the same thing.

Figured, well must be time to install windows over. Put the disk in and watched some TV While it was installing.

When it got done at the registration screen it would not accept the registration key.. my game was waiting so I figured I would mess with it later. Windows came up and was running normally.

Well this is now my problem. The Windows disk I had just installed was a 32bit which I did not notice. Seems I lost my 64bit Windows Disk but still had the original registration key attached to the 32bit Windows Disk which I was trying to enter. The 32 bit Windows Key I can't find which is what is now installed on the computer.

Someone on this forum said that a 64 bit Windows Key would work with a 32 Windows key for registration. In the Computer section the old X64 windows is still there. (windows.old file) Do I need to delete it and if I do will that allow me to use my 64 bit registration for the 32 bit copy of windows? The error when I try to type the windows key in said that the key is already used on another computer.

Thanks in advance,

Brian

Brian,
If I understand correctly, you have Vista 64 bit and then you installed 32 bit and you mentioned Windows.old.
There are two types of installations an upgrade (which gives you windows.old) which is not the way to go or a clean install.
You need to do a clean install.
If you want 32 bit use the cd that you have. If you want 64 bit, hear is an ISO and you can burn a 64 bit Vista.
[Direct Download Links] Download Official Windows Vista RTM with SP1 Setup Files (32-bit and 64-bit) - Tweaking with Vishal
Here is how you do a clean install.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/117366-clean-install-full-version-vista.html
You must have a valid product key.
You will lose your stuff if not backed up and
You must reisnatall all software (yes, your games)
As long as it is the same edition, Home Premium etc, the 32 bit and 64 bit have the same key number.

Thank you for all your help. I have the product key for Vista Home Premium 64 bit. Will this work if I download the link you gave? I think it said ultimate.

Thanks,

Brian

Yes Brian
A little secret about Vista each CD has all the editions, when you put your key number in it installs the edition proper for the key number.

Awesome. thank you so much for all the help. I'm gonna give it a shot

Any questions or problems come back and ask.