ok. i think i have a 32bit solution.

the entire reason why i need access to a 32bit os is because the x64 xp capatibility is crap. so if say i want to use my webcam..

now the xp fiasco was.. well. a fiasco.

yesterday microsoft presented the solution right on their main page (so good so far).

just download and install server2003 r2 180day trial. it's just a hopped up xp anyway.

well. it works so far other than my usb webcam fighting the usb keyboard on boot (gotta unplug the webcam for the keyboard to work. wtf.)

what i really wanted to do was install it on my old 8G drive and use the ide-usb adapter so i could just swap it out. however, for some reason windows tells me that on a brand new install... i have.. wait for it.. a virus and so it won't boot up after install. uh. ok.

so i open the case and hook the drive to the real ide and it works fine. here is what google says about the issue.

http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/archive/2004/04/15/113811.aspx