Do you have a 64 bit computer - find out..

[viking60]

Often we are confronted with the option of downloading 32 or 64 bit versions of Linux. 32 bit will work on both but in time 64 bit computers will totally replace 32 bit.
So how can you check that you have the hardware to run 64 bit software?

Well mostly you check it before you buy it - but there is another way:

Type

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grep flags /proc/cpuinfo

in a terminal and see if you can find lm flag somewhere in the output. If it is there; you can run 64 bit software.

So if you are already running Linux you can now check if your kernel can run 64 bit software with:

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 getconf LONG_BIT

If the output is 64 then you are ready to install 64 bit software if it is 32 - it is not.

[dedanna1029]

Doesn't look like it here, even though it appears the lm flag is in the first code:

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.:[ dedanna@dedanna.rockz.net : 10:32:52 : ~ ]:.
:) grep flags /proc/cpuinfo | grep lm
flags      : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe nx lm constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts aperfmperf pni dtes64 monitor ds_cpl est tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm movbe lahf_lm dtherm
flags      : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe nx lm constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts aperfmperf pni dtes64 monitor ds_cpl est tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm movbe lahf_lm dtherm
.:[ dedanna@dedanna.rockz.net : 10:33:01 : ~ ]:.
:)
.:[ dedanna@dedanna.rockz.net : 10:33:31 : ~ ]:.
:) getconf LONG_BIT
32
.:[ dedanna@dedanna.rockz.net : 10:33:36 : ~ ]:.

I'm wondering though if it's because I'm on 32-bit software that I'm getting the results I am?

[jkerr82508]

You have the "lm" flag, which means that your cpu is 64 bit capable and you could install a 64 bit kernel.
As viking indicated, if you are running a 32 bit kernel, it is expected that you will see 32 as the LONG_BIT. (You can't run 64 bit software if you are running a 32 bit kernel.)

Jim

[dedanna1029]

Yeah, thought so. Thanks.