Ubuntu

64 bit

Asked by David Wallin

I think I'm installing a 32bit version of ubuntu on my 64bit machine.

1) Should I use the 64bit version? I think so - but I'm not certain.
2) Can the 32bit version be upgrade easily - or is it a re-install job?

Thanks

David

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Pramod Dematagoda
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Pramod Dematagoda (pmdematagoda) said : 		#1

1) No, you can use Ubuntu 32 bit on a 64 bit PC with no problems, so you have a choice of 64 bit or 32 bit.

2) If you mean upgrading 32 bit to 64 bit, then the answer is no. You cannot upgrade a 32 bit Ubuntu to 64 bit Ubuntu, the same applies to the reverse.

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David Wallin (david-ntfs) said : 		#2

I assume that the 64bit version is better?

The machine is going to act as a file server for a Windows (sorry to swear!) network and the CPU is an AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+

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David Wallin (david-ntfs) said : 		#3

Also, sorry to seem daft, but how do I see which version I've installed?

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Pramod Dematagoda (pmdematagoda) said : 		#4

You can use:-

uname -a

That would print the details about your current kernel and other details.

And the 64 bit version is a little better when performance is concerned, but it all comes down to your decision, the 64 bit version works just as well as the 32 bit one does when you consider day-to-day work. So it is your own choice as to whether you use 64 bit or 32 bit.

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David Wallin (david-ntfs) said : 		#5

do some programs only run on one version?

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David Wallin (david-ntfs) said : 		#6

I've done the 'uname -a' and got;

Linux server 2.6.22-14-generic #1 SMP Sun Oct 14 23:05:12 GMT 2007 i686 GNU/Linux

reply.

So - am I running a 32 bit server then? I thought it was desktop!

Help!!!

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Best Pramod Dematagoda (pmdematagoda) said : 		#7

From the current Linux kernel you are running, I believe you are running the desktop version. In any case the only real difference between the server and desktop version of Ubuntu is the kernel type.

Ubuntu desktop uses the Generic kernel type, which is what you are running.

Ubuntu server uses the Server kernel type.

And concerning the programs, you can run 32 bit programs on 64 bit Ubuntu by forcing them to work, but it is does not apply for Ubuntu 32 bit since every 64 bit package has a 32 bit version. But on Ubuntu 64 bit, 32 bit packages may not have 64 bit versions, so you would have to force them to run.

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David Wallin (david-ntfs) said : 		#8

thanks

I think that I'll stick to 32 bit version

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David Wallin (david-ntfs) said : 		#9

Thanks Pramod Dematagoda, that solved my question.