Is the short answer, they're not going to get along?
I bought a new 64 bit 1.8GHZ 4G RAM Gateway w/ Vista Home Ultimate w/ SP1. I tried to download my old PC's stored files from a 2007(!) Maxtor One-Touch lll external drive. The PC prompted for a compatible driver for the Maxtor. The Vista load didn't have a suitable driver and Maxtor (now Seagate) has at least two 32 bit drivers online, but no 64 bit & has no plans to make one! I've just bought "an Apple" and didn't know it? Trying to run 32 bit software (particularly with Vista!) on a 64 bit PC either won't work or is just dicey? I'm either buying a new external drive & taking my chances that all my other 32 bit sw will get along with my PC, or exchanging for a 32 bit PC? My MS Office load I need to install is 32 bit. Does "Seagate" metaphorically represent a neo-Pirate's cove where your money goes in and their ill-supported stuff comes out? Or, I should walk the plank for my poor purchase(s) that weren't going to get along to begin with? Please. Thanks.