Oracle Database Express Edition (XE)

Greetings.

This is my first post here and my first attempt at using an Oracle Database. I need it for simulation of a client's program which uses such a database.

The installation went off without a hitch, far more user-friendly than I'd expect from a Database Installer. The only thing I had to input was a username and password for the SYS and SYSTEM accounts. Otherwise, the installer did everything on its own.

However, after installing the database and double-clicking the "Get Started with Oracle Database 11g Express Edition", I get the following error:

Windows cannot find 'http://127.0.0.1:%HTTPPORT%/apex/f?p=4950'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

Google-ing the error led me here, as well as to several other forums and stuff, but none were that helpful, so I thought I should post with more specific issues and stuff. Top of the list of differences I should note down:

1. Most users are experiencing this error on a 64-bit OS, which I read, isn't officially supported (yet?). I'm using a 32-bit OS - Windows 7.
2. Solutions posted by other members are hit and miss. Some work, and some don't. While I am grateful for any help, I'm afraid I can't risk doing something with less than a 100% chance of working because...
3. Newbie here, as I have stated on the thread title. In addition to this, I'm on my company's laptop - modifying registries and stuff is something I wouldn't want to do here.

With that out of the way, I'd like to ask the obvious: How do I fix this?

Also, why does this happen? I've never encountered such from MS SQL and MySQL.

Thanks.