pls help. 64b XP on AMD 462 pin socket-A k7vta3 Mainboard

[layoff - boneyard cobbler]

I have recently suffered the loss of two decent laptops. I can't afford to replace either of them right now, and I can't afford to do without a relatively quick computer. (CAD work... soon I hope...) I have this old tower PC (2001) With the mainboard described in the 'subject' and below... and I have an awesome 64bit Widows Xp Superior Software that I would like to run on the older system until I can afford a new laptop. Right now the XP Superior (2009) software informs me that I am attempting to load 64bit software onto an incompatable CPU. "Please install a 32-bitx86 operating system. Setup cannot continue. Press any key to exit.

The mainboard uses an AMD 462-pin Socket A that supports 100/133/166 MHz frontside bus (FSB) and accommodates AMD Duron, Athlon, and Athlon XP processors. (Here, i begin to experience the pain of my own limitations...) I'm not the smartest person you'll meet today, I'm sure... but I'm friendly.

The least expensive means to an end seems to be to upgrade the CPU... since I have already bought a new hard drive and dvd rom for this pc hoping that would be all I needed... (typical miscalculation for me lately... ) it seems feasable to get this to work, from what I've read on some blogs here... and (i think?) the specs of the available compatable processors for the AMD Socket-A... (have I got that much correct? any hidden problems?) ...yet my RAM banks on the motherboard only accomodate 3 GB of RAM... plus whatever may be available elsewhere (spec's say; " Supports DDR up to 200/266/333 MHz DDR SDRAM memory module. Accommodates three unbuffered 2.5V 184-pin slots, each supporting up to 1GB with a total maximum capacity of 3MB." I know I need 4MB for the 64bit XP, as well as a compatable 64bit processor... I am unsure exactly how much RAM is potentially available above the 3 GB... can anyone clarify? Also... I just keep buying parts that turn out to be useless in the end... for both laptops... and possibly now the PC...

Any competent help would be greatly appreciated. I know just enough to waste money and get into trouble.


Please help.
Thanks, RG Brewster.

rgb@grandecom.net

[D.8080]

Athlon XP series are 32 bit only, single core, processors. No upgrade possible.

You need Athlon 64 (by its name you can understand that it supports 64 bit OS). Those are socket 754 onward. No cpu for socket 462.

There is no way to install Win XP 64bit on that system.

Sorry for the bad news.