When I attempt to run the setup executable boinc_6.10.58_windows_x84_64.exe on my PC, I receive the following error message:

boinc_6.10.58_windows_x84_64.exe is not a valid Win32 application.

Any suggestions?

Try downloading it again,

Claggy

A second download solved the problem. The original file must have been corrupted. Thanks.

boinc_6.10.58_windows_x84_64.exe is not a valid Win32 application.

Of course, what it says there is true. If your app is x84, your CPU is broken. It misses 2 bits. :)

And even if it said x86_64, the message would be true. You cannot install a 64bit (x86_64) application on a 32bit operating system (Win32). You can install 32bit applications on a 64bit operating system, but not the other way around.

Which is why 64bit is indicated by x86_64 and 32bit only as x86 (from 80x86 processors, where x stands for 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, depending on what processor you still run).

Lastly, even if you run a 64bit Operating System, check where the installer is trying to install the BOINC programs to. If you had a 32bit BOINC on your system before, it will by default try to install any next BOINC to the same directory as before. For 32bit this is the C:\Program File(x86)\BOINC\ directory.

Notice that (x86) in the directory name? That tells Windows that the programs running from this directory are 32bit only. It will run programs in this directory in a 32bit Windows shell (Windows on Windows, or WoW), emulating a 32bit Windows form.

64bit BOINC should be installed to the C:\Program Files\BOINC\ directory, as the omission of the (x86) in that name tells Windows that programs running from this directory are natively 64bit.

Trying to install, or managing to install a 64bit program to the 32bit directory will result in an error message.

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