32 bit or 64 bit Ubuntu

[Phil Binner]

I installed Ubuntu 11.04 on my Aspire 7520 laptop. Very successful after a few glitches, thanks to all concerned on this forum for sorting that. I am now installing more Ram. The system will take 4gb, which I understand will be recognised by a 32 bit system.

I can't actually remember whether I originally installed the 32 or 64 bit system, and I don't know what the system requirements for 64 bit are. The processor is an AMD Athlon 64 Dual Core.

So mu questions are:

1. How do I find out which version I have.
2. Is there an easy upgrade path from 32 bit to 64 bit that won't involve re-installing everything.
3. Given that the max ram for this machine is 4gb, it there any point in going to 64 bit if I'm not already there.

Thanks in advance.

Phil Binner

[jerrrys]

number #1

open a terminal and enter:

uname -a

number #3

http://www.googlubuntu.com/results/?cx=006238239194895611142:u-ocqbntw_o&q=32+vs+64+bit&sa=Search&cof=FORID:9#971

[haqking]

number #1

open a terminal and enter:

uname -a

number #3

http://www.googlubuntu.com/results/?cx=006238239194895611142:u-ocqbntw_o&q=32+vs+64+bit&sa=Search&cof=FORID:9#971

+1

except uname -m is more specific and shows just architecture.

2. no not really

3. there is no point not to go to x64 IMO, though people debate it, there is the option of PAE, and some support issues for 32 bit apps. However in my experience and i run $gb x64 is very stable, and everything i do is supported with issue.

[Phil Binner]

The answer to uname -m was "i686".

The answer to uname -a was

Linux Middlebin-Ubuntu 2.6.38-10-generic #46-Ubuntu SMP Tue Jun 28 15:05:41 UTC 2011 i686 athlon i386 GNU/Linux


Is that telling me I already have 64 bit.

[haqking]

The answer to uname -m was "i686".

The answer to uname -a was

Linux Middlebin-Ubuntu 2.6.38-10-generic #46-Ubuntu SMP Tue Jun 28 15:05:41 UTC 2011 i686 athlon i386 GNU/Linux


Is that telling me I already have 64 bit.

no you dont. the uname -m extracts the architecture part from the uname -a result.

i686 etc.

you are looking for x86_64 for 64 bit or amd64

[jerrrys]

to remove any doubt, in terminal enter lshw

go to cpu>width

it will say either 32 or 64

you have 32B installed, this is just another way to see your cpu

[Phil Binner]

Sorry, one more question, will my computer run 64 bit Ubuntu. It's an Acer Aspire 7520 with an AMD Athlon 64 Dual-Core processor.

[collisionystm]

Sorry, one more question, will my computer run 64 bit Ubuntu. It's an Acer Aspire 7520 with an AMD Athlon 64 Dual-Core processor.

yes it will run 64 bit

[oldos2er]

Sorry, one more question, will my computer run 64 bit Ubuntu. It's an Acer Aspire 7520 with an AMD Athlon 64 Dual-Core processor.

cat /proc/cpuinfo will tell you; look for the lm flag.

[Phil Binner]

OK, thanks guys. I guess I'm going to go with it. I've not got too much invested in this system yet, so it's probably better to bite the bullet now and get the upgrade done.

I'll call this one solved then.