I have a serious problem, in need of your expert help.
First, stats:
HP HDX9300
Windows Vista Ultimate ("previously" 64-bit - now 32-bit)
So in a nutshell, here's what happened:
It was time to reformat, and I decided I wasn't going to use the 2 rinky-dink "recovery" discs that HP included, which do a half-a** install of vista and gives an FBI (not the gov. agency)warning.
I downloaded a copy of what was supposedly 64-bit from a torrent site. Which, I have a COA on my computer so I didn't need a crack.
Anyways, after installing - I realized it's 32 bit! Uh oh. So, downloaded a 64-bit, burned .iso to DVD - won't boot from CD!
That's where I'm stuck. NOTHING boots from CD. When starting up my comp, I choose F9 (I think) for "Boot Device Options" - and the ONLY option I have is notebook harddrive. I've tried 2 separate .iso discs for the vista download - the previous vista download I used to install the current operating system, the recovery discs, and an XP disc and NOTHING is available to boot from CD.
Of course, I've tried going into BIOS and making the CD-Rom the first thing to boot, etc - still doesn't work. No errors - just slows for a second, then boots the HD and OS up!
What the heck is going on? I want to format the partition now and try this again but I can't find out how to get into the partition in the first place.
I've also burned DBAN to a DVD and ran that, but again - nothing lets me boot from the disc! And it's working because the disc spins - I hear it, and I can view files for the drive in My Computer.
