Download Ubuntu architecture choice bug

Only very few older Intel 64 CPUs are not compatible with Ubuntu 64 bit. All Intel CPU for several years are compatible with AMD 64.
If the 64 bit version does not work in your VM, you should check the VMs settings.

To handle your installation question: If you want to have a save way to install Ubuntu, you should install a 2nd hard drive for it.
Of cause a backup of your data is advised, just to be sure.

Do you have your Windows 7 OS installed in 32bit or 64bit version? (press Windows-Break to see)
Is there an error message in virtualbox when you try installing from the Ubuntu_14.04.1_amd64 installation kit?

Many thanks for your reply.

I have one question as a beginner and that is: how do I check the VM
settings for this?

Secondly I note that there are indeed two versions of Ubuntu
14.04.1_desktop_amd64.iso and Ubuntu 14.04.1_desktop_i386 64.iso on the
list of downloads in the site http://mirroroverthewire.com.au. I just
cannot get at the i386 version for some reason on the Ubuntu downloads,
because it does not give one a choice for that version.
Thank you again for the rapid reply.
Richard

On 9/10/2014 9:26 PM, Thomas Krüger wrote:
> Your question #255530 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/255530
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> Thomas Krüger proposed the following answer:
> Only very few older Intel 64 CPUs are not compatible with Ubuntu 64 bit. All Intel CPU for several years are compatible with AMD 64.
> If the 64 bit version does not work in your VM, you should check the VMs settings.
>
> To handle your installation question: If you want to have a save way to install Ubuntu, you should install a 2nd hard drive for it.
> Of cause a backup of your data is advised, just to be sure.
>

--
Richard L Cooper

If its a VM, use 32bit.

Why do you want 64bit?

You should alway get your Ubuntu ISO images from the official download servers:
http://releases.ubuntu.com/trusty/

Downloading of the i386 installation kit (32 bit) should be possible from http://mirror.overthewire.com.au/pub/ubuntu-releases/14.04.1/ubuntu-14.04.1-desktop-i386.iso
the amd64 kit (64 bit addressing) is on http://mirror.overthewire.com.au/pub/ubuntu-releases/14.04.1/ubuntu-14.04.1-desktop-amd64.iso

if you have permanent problems for the i386 file from that Australian mirror server, you should try downloading from another CD mirror, see https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+cdmirrors for a list

If you want to create a VM from such file, you need not burn a DVD from the file, but virtualbox should be able to directly install from the .iso file on hard disk.

Many thanks. I shall certainly try 32 bit in the VM. Please tell me why!
I assumed that 64 bit OS would be better for FOAM which I wish to use
for a fluid dynamics project, which I understand is computationally
demanding.
Regards
Richard

On 9/10/2014 10:51 PM, actionparsnip wrote:
> Your question #255530 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/255530
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> actionparsnip requested more information:
> If its a VM, use 32bit.
>
> Why do you want 64bit?
>

--
Richard L Cooper

This is Windows 7 Professional, 64 bit version. I am not certain what
you mean by Windows-Break.
I am still to learn how to use virtualbox, of which I am unaware as
yet. The error message when installing from DVD/CD was that: "This
kernel requires an X86-CPU but only detected an i686 CPU, unable to boot
please use a kernel appropriate for your CPU" Intel Pentium Processor:
    Intel(R) Pentium(R) CPU B960 @ 2.20GHz, 2200 MHz, 2 Core(s), 2
Logical Processor(s)

On 9/10/2014 10:12 PM, Manfred Hampl wrote:
> Your question #255530 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/255530
>
> Manfred Hampl requested more information:
> Do you have your Windows 7 OS installed in 32bit or 64bit version? (press Windows-Break to see)
> Is there an error message in virtualbox when you try installing from the Ubuntu_14.04.1_amd64 installation kit?
>

--
Richard L Cooper

Explanation 'Windows-Break': If you are running Windows, press and hold the Windows-key, and press the 'Pause-Break' key, this should open a window where you can see the specifics of your operating system, among others whether it is a 32bit or 64bit operating system.

If you have more than 4GB of main memory, there is an advantage in addressing if you use a 64 bit operating system. I do not know how much memory you want to grant to the VM. If you do not allow the VM to use more than 4GB of memory, there will not be much difference for the VM.

I think you can use both the 32bit and the 64bit variant of Ubuntu on your system, but you have to enable virtualization in the BIOS first. Something like http://i.stack.imgur.com/5x3YW.png

Many thanks: the 64 bit system is confirmed.
As I have only 2Gb RAM installed, then the 32 bit version of Ubuntu OS
is obviously the way to go.
Your advice is much appreciated: I have learnt a great deal. I shall
now download again and attempt installation in the VM

On 10/10/2014 5:16 PM, Manfred Hampl wrote:
> Your question #255530 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/255530
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> Manfred Hampl proposed the following answer:
> Explanation 'Windows-Break': If you are running Windows, press and hold
> the Windows-key, and press the 'Pause-Break' key, this should open a
> window where you can see the specifics of your operating system, among
> others whether it is a 32bit or 64bit operating system.
>
> If you have more than 4GB of main memory, there is an advantage in
> addressing if you use a 64 bit operating system. I do not know how much
> memory you want to grant to the VM. If you do not allow the VM to use
> more than 4GB of memory, there will not be much difference for the VM.
>
> I think you can use both the 32bit and the 64bit variant of Ubuntu on
> your system, but you have to enable virtualization in the BIOS first.
> Something like http://i.stack.imgur.com/5x3YW.png
>

--
Richard L Cooper

Many thanks again! I am going to look for virtualbox, with which I am
unfamiliar.

On 9/10/2014 10:56 PM, Manfred Hampl wrote:
> Your question #255530 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/255530
>
> Manfred Hampl proposed the following answer:
> Downloading of the i386 installation kit (32 bit) should be possible from http://mirror.overthewire.com.au/pub/ubuntu-releases/14.04.1/ubuntu-14.04.1-desktop-i386.iso
> the amd64 kit (64 bit addressing) is on http://mirror.overthewire.com.au/pub/ubuntu-releases/14.04.1/ubuntu-14.04.1-desktop-amd64.iso
>
> if you have permanent problems for the i386 file from that Australian
> mirror server, you should try downloading from another CD mirror, see
> https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+cdmirrors for a list
>
> If you want to create a VM from such file, you need not burn a DVD from
> the file, but virtualbox should be able to directly install from the
> .iso file on hard disk.
>

--
Richard L Cooper

It's all learning. There is a tickbox in the configuration of the VM if you want 64bit OS to install. I don't know it but I'm on the way to work and a buddy of mine had to do it there. I'll let you know.

Many thanks for your help: I shall do this now.

On 9/10/2014 10:51 PM, Thomas Krüger wrote:
> Your question #255530 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/255530
>
> Status: Needs information => Answered
>
> Thomas Krüger proposed the following answer:
> You should alway get your Ubuntu ISO images from the official download servers:
> http://releases.ubuntu.com/trusty/
>

--
Richard L Cooper

Many thanks, I look forward to hearing from you.

On 10/10/2014 6:11 PM, actionparsnip wrote:
> Your question #255530 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/255530
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> actionparsnip proposed the following answer:
> It's all learning. There is a tickbox in the configuration of the VM if
> you want 64bit OS to install. I don't know it but I'm on the way to work
> and a buddy of mine had to do it there. I'll let you know.
>

--
Richard L Cooper

Under SYstem -> Motherboard tab enable:

Enable IO APIC

and if that doesn't work, add a tick box in

Enable EFI (Special OSes only).

Many thanks fir your advice: I can't access the system I am afraid: lack
of skills, no doubt!
Regards
Richard

On 10/10/2014 7:56 PM, actionparsnip wrote:
> Your question #255530 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/255530
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> actionparsnip proposed the following answer:
> Under SYstem -> Motherboard tab enable:
>
> Enable IO APIC
>
> and if that doesn't work, add a tick box in
>
> Enable EFI (Special OSes only).
>

--
Richard L Cooper

Many thanks for all your advice: it looks as though I shall have to use VirtualBox instead of the Windows virtual machine.

Many thanks to all of you for a very educational and therefore helpful set of answers to my questions.