32-bit Fedora on Athlon 64?

philwynk · 10-15-2007, 10:44 AM

Hi, all,

I'm wrestling with my very first Linux box, an Athlon 64-based box with Fedora core 6.0. The guy who sold it to me installed 64-bit Fedora on the box, but I'm finding compatibility issues with bits of server software that requires tweaking on the Athlon-64, and I think I've hosed my installation by trying this and that.

So, now I want to start over with a fresh install (this is how we learn, no?) My question is: can I run a 32-bit Fedora kernel on my Athlon 64-bit processor? and if I do, will I have sidestepped the compatibility issues I'm experiencing now? or do I have to stick with the 64-bit install, and just go through the pain?

Thanks for your help.

Phil

BogusTrumper · 10-15-2007, 11:06 AM

You can almost always install a 32 bit operating system on a 64 bit machine with no problems. You'll lose compatibility with any 64 bit applications and take a slight performance hit, but you were probably aware of that.

Out of curiosity, what's the server supposed to be doing?

bigrigdriver · 10-15-2007, 11:15 AM

This article from RedHat might answer your question: http://www.redhat.com/magazine/009ju...ures/multilib/.

Slick666 · 10-15-2007, 11:42 AM

I think it really depends on what you are doing and your philosophy of running a server. I run Fedora 7 on a dual Opteron with the 64 bit version of fedora. There are only a few programs that actually take advantage of this but the reason I selected the 64-bit is for possible future expansion of programs or memory so I can simply make the change without a reinstall. I haven't run into a 32-bit application that doesn't run with the 32-bit libraries required and I haven't run into a program where that 32-bit libraries aren't available.

I would recommend sticking with the 64-bit version (and possibly upgrading to Fedora 7) but if you know fedora 6 32-bit will work right out of the gate and you need it up now then go with what will work.

philwynk · 10-15-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogusTrumper

Out of curiosity, what's the server supposed to be doing?

I intend to run a web server with at least one blog site on it, and possibly 3 or 4. Apache, php, mySQL, wordpress or something like it. I got bit the worst with firefox plug-ins, which won't work on Athlon 64 without some kernel tweaking.

Phil

Timothy Miller · 10-15-2007, 06:42 PM

I would, temporarily at least, stick to the 32-bit version. I've got Fedora7 64-bit on my second desktop, and it's not very stable. The 32-bit was quite nice, but the 64-bit is rather flaky sometimes. It'll have days where it's rock solid, then have days where it locks up hard. I'm seriously considering going back to the 32-bit.