How to use program like Autocad of 32 bit work on computer having OS Windows 7 of 64 bit?

I purchased Dell note book and it came with Windows 7, 64 bit.

Now when I try to install AUTOCAD 2008 version, which is in 32 bit, I am unable to run the software. I get message that you can't run 32 bit program on a 64 bit processor.

What to do?

According to this http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/item?siteID=123112&id=9450261&linkID=9240617 you cannot install AutoCAD 32 bit on 64 bit operating systems. You will need a 64 bit version of AutoCAD.

Note that this is a limitation of AutoCAD and many 32 bit applications work fine in 64 bit windows.

That is odd because most programs are 32 bit! If you have Win 7 Pro or an XP License, you can install this in a 32 bit Virtual Machine which is nicely integrated in Windows 7. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/default.aspx

This has been an issue with AutoCAD for several years. Although Autodesk makes sure that both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of their software is available, some third-party add-ons will only work with the 32-bit versions.

If you have a 64-bit OS and have some of these expensive addons, then you really want to install AutoCAD as a 32-bit program. See here for a method that should allow you to install AutoCAD 2008 as 32-bit on your 64-bit computer if that's what you really need to do.