Switching from 32 bit to 64 bit

[Nate]

I'd like to transition from 32 bit to 64 bit Kubuntu Intrepid. Does this require a total reinstall or is there some magical way to "upgrade"?

[Kubuntu Computer Geek]

Re: Switching from 32 bit to 64 bit

I believe it requires a complety reinstall, but may I ask why you want to do this?

[Nate]

Re: Switching from 32 bit to 64 bit

I installed more memory, which is not fully being recognized (I have 4 gigs now, but it shows as 3). It seems I have an option to enable PAE in the kernel and stay with 32 bit...but I also think it might be time to just take the plunge and best utilize my hardware for the future.

[clearloon]

Re: Switching from 32 bit to 64 bit

Nate -

It's a total reinstall. 64bit works just great for me so go for it.

cl

[dibl]

Re: Switching from 32 bit to 64 bit

Right, the different architecture requires a complete installation of the OS. You probably will not detect any difference in anything, once you've got it installed and configured -- except of course you'll see something close to 4GB of memory, depending on how your BIOS assigns it.

However, I will point out that the Beta version of 9.04 is due for release in late March, only 60 days from now. If your 32-bit system is working for you today (minus a bit of memory), you might want to do a little mental tradeoff regarding how bad you want to try the 64-bit architecture now, versus the efficiency of waiting for 9.04 and only doing the installation/configuration one time. My experience is that the Beta releases are "close" to as stable as the final version releases. Just a thought ...

[Nate]

Re: Switching from 32 bit to 64 bit

Thanks for the insight. I normally prefer the upgrade path vs. fresh installs. I think I've successfully upgraded all the way back from 7.04 until now, but I imagine as long as I backup my /home directory I should be able to reinstall without too much pain (although I'm sure there will be plenty of issues to deal with).

I was planning on waiting for 4.2 to be released, but maybe I will push it off until 9.04. Thanks again for the help.

[dragon76]

Re: Switching from 32 bit to 64 bit

It may also be a good time to create a home partition on your drive... it makes upgrades and trying different versions or distros much easier as you have your same kde settings for example in every version or distro that you want to boot into.

I have been trying/using 64bit since edgy and have had no issues that I can recall with 64bit in hardy or intrepid.

[Nate]

Re: Switching from 32 bit to 64 bit

I do have a separate /home partition, so perhaps I'll just install the root partition and see how it goes keeping /home. If I come across problems I can always redo the process and start entirely fresh.