Thanks. The error message did not refer to the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit, only to the supposed absence of Python 2.7. And Idle says it's using Python 2.7.2 64 bit AMD64 on Win 32, which confused me. 
 
However, I see that the suggested web page contains the following four options, each of which apparently offers a NumPy-like Windows installation package for 64-bit windows machines:
  Bottleneck-0.5.0.win-amd64-py2.7.exe
  numpy-MKL-1.6.1.win-amd64-py2.7.exe  [*-see comment below]
  numpy-unoptimized-1.6.1.win-amd64-py2.7.exe
  numscons-012.0.win-amd64-py2.7.exe
[*-coment] This item is described as "not compatible with the official SciPy distributions."
 
Any comments on which ones I should try first?
 
The Helmbolds
2645 E Southern Ave A241
Tempe AZ 85282
Email: helmrp@yahoo.com
VOX: 480-831-3611
CELL: 602-568-6948 (but not often turned on)
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Subject: NumPy-Discussion Digest, Vol 60, Issue 55

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Today's Topics:

  1. Re: Trouble installing numpy (Charles R Harris)
  2. Re: Trouble installing numpy (Olivier Delalleau)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:14:16 -0600
From: Charles R Harris <charlesr.harris@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Numpy-discussion] Trouble installing numpy
To: Discussion of Numerical Python <numpy-discussion@scipy.org>
Message-ID:
    <CAB6mnx+rC01d7mAtdEgvGxT=SEh+vRLo5P-HSvGvG16XreN2Hw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

On Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 9:43 AM, The Helmbolds <helmrp@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Using Source Forge download of NumPy installer package:
>  numpy-1.6.1-win32-superpack-python 2.7.exe.
>
> Installation Wizard starts, but then installation fails with error message:
>  Python version 2.7 required, which was not found in the registry
>
> Idle says it's using:
>  Python 2.7.2 64 bit AMD64 on Win 32
>
> So what's holding up the installation, and what do I need to do to install
> numpy?
>
>

Your Python is 64 bits, the numpy package is 32 bits and needs 32 bit
Python. If you need free 64 bit numpy on windows your best bet is probably
here <http://www.lfd.uci.edu/%7Egohlke/pythonlibs/>.

Chuck
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:32:08 -0400
From: Olivier Delalleau <shish@keba.be>
Subject: Re: [Numpy-discussion] Trouble installing numpy
To: Discussion of Numerical Python <numpy-discussion@scipy.org>
Message-ID:
    <CAFXk4br4oCyhjzoSygpYy8o4f-xyvgBwS5NFqa1Cqh-LgPvYZA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

You are probably trying to install the 32 bit version of numpy on your 64
bit Python. Either switch to 64 bit numpy or 32 bit Python.

-=- Olivier

2011/9/26 The Helmbolds <helmrp@yahoo.com>

> Using Source Forge download of NumPy installer package:
>  numpy-1.6.1-win32-superpack-python 2.7.exe.
>
> Installation Wizard starts, but then installation fails with error message:
>  Python version 2.7 required, which was not found in the registry
>
> Idle says it's using:
>  Python 2.7.2 64 bit AMD64 on Win 32
>
> So what's holding up the installation, and what do I need to do to install
> numpy?
>
> The Helmbolds
> 2645 E Southern Ave A241
> Tempe AZ 85282
> Email: helmrp@yahoo.com
> VOX: 480-831-3611
> CELL: 602-568-6948 (but not often turned on)
>
> _______________________________________________
> NumPy-Discussion mailing list
> NumPy-Discussion@scipy.org
> http://mail.scipy.org/mailman/listinfo/numpy-discussion
>
>
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