[solved] Migrating from 32 bit to 64 bit

[doctordruidphd]

I currently have kubuntu-9.04 (and a whole mess of other systems and versions) running on a 32 bit system. I have a new 64 bit system on the way. Since I have quite a bit of software installed, I really don't want to start over at ground zero; I would like to just move my system from the old computer to the new one. Is this possible? I know there will be issues with the nVidia card, but there seem to be several guides on how to do that. I haven't found any guides on going from 32 to 64, though.

What am I headed into here?

[flarson]

Re: Migrating from 32 bit to 64 bit

The 32bit systems should run on the 64bit computer with no problems, other than getting correct hardware support. That is probably more a matter of correct initrd images except in cases of hardware that require drivers not in the kernel.

To get a 64bit system it is probably possible to convert a 32bit install to a 64bit but is almost certainly a whole lot simpler to do a 64bit installation. So you might want to do something like plan the partitioning, install 64bit Jaunty, and then use partimage to transfer your old installations to the appropriate partition.

Of course you could keep some of the installations on your old computer, or take the disk from your old computer and install it in the new computer.

[doctordruidphd]

Re: Migrating from 32 bit to 64 bit

Sounds like I can do a fresh install to get the kernel right, and then copy everything over (except /boot). I hope it winds up being that easy. I understand there is some sort of driver that handles 32 bit programs in the 64 bit environment, and that some have had trouble with it, but my memory on it is too vague for useful search results.

I bet switching from XP-32 to Vista-64 won't be quite that easy...

[flarson]

Re: Migrating from 32 bit to 64 bit

That is not what I said. The 64bit systems are simply extensions to the 32bit so 32bit software will run on the 64bit. It requires correct libraries though. Do you not have a seperate kernel for each system? If you are using chroot to get from one system to the other this will be interesting, but probably should work. Otherwise you would use partimage to move entire installations, including kernels, to the new computer and use grub to boot them.

[dibl]

Re: Migrating from 32 bit to 64 bit

Going from 32-bit Linux to 64-bit Linux is not a "migration", I'm afraid. It's a "new installation". While the packages and the capabilities are all about the same, the architectural difference means the two systems are not interchangeable, in their component parts. The 64-bit OS runs 64-bit compiled packages, or in some cases can run in a 32-bit compatibility mode (using ia32libs), but you have to install one or the other and then you stay with what you installed. Compiled drivers are different, etc. etc. So, you'll need to back up all data (which will be fully usable with your 64-bit system) and then wipe the partition and install the 64-bit OS fresh, and start your configuration adventures from scratch.

[doctordruidphd]

Re: Migrating from 32 bit to 64 bit

I had this terrible feeling that's the way it would be.
Oh well, a fresh install may clean up a few things anyway.

[mfburgo]

Re: [solved] Migrating from 32 bit to 64 bit

Install the new 64 bit os on new system

on old system:

dpkg get-selections > installed_software

move installed_software file to new system

on new system run:

sudo dpkg set-selections < installed_software

sudo apt-get deselect-install

this will install all the software that was on the old system on the new system only the 64 bit packages will be installed instead of the 32 bit.

you will only need to reconfigure as you have it on your old system or move your home directory to the new system. kde configs are the same.

Your system should be ready to go.