64 Bit Slackware??
 

Is there a version of slackware that supports 64 bit ?
Wanting to know so when i get my new AMD box 2moro, if i can i would like to keep slack

If I am not mistaken kernel 2.6 supports 64 bit processing ,you have to select it in kernel. Marty

You can run slack 9.1 on an AMD 64 in 32 bit mode (which is what I do). You will however, have to recompile the kernel to operate in 64 bit mode. You will need 64bit drivers though for video at least.

I am planning on installing Slackware and putting in an amd 64bit processor, I have never used Linux before though, how would I go about recompiling the kernel to run on a 64 bit proccessor?

I've just done exactly that - you simply select the AMD64 option in the "processor types and features" section of your 2.6.x kernel.
As has been mentioned, you will need compatible video drivers, but both ATI and nVidia have these available, which should cover most of the major cards.

I suggest following the kernel compilation guide stuck to the top of the Slackware group index here. Configuration itself is a little time-consuming, particularly if it's your first time, but I've found it to be considerably less daunting than it's sometimes made out to be. xconfig makes life much easier.

Prepare to have to do a bit of tweaking after you've finished installing the kernel (potential problems under 2.6.x vary, but on my Acer Aspire 1502LMi laptop via82xx sound and CD mounting seem to be the most notable Things To Fix).

Oh, and you might want to set lilo to normal vga mode in case of framebuffer issues that can result in a blank screen at the console.

I'm in the process of correcting and documenting the problems I've run into and their solutions, although it seems likely that most of the issues I've had to deal with were the result of the hardware on my specific system.

Bitching aside, setting up slackware-current with kernel 2.6.6 optimized for AMD64 shouldn't be too traumatic an experience.

Have fun and good luck!

I ran into this problem myself. Not that you still cant log in, you just cant see what you type. I ended up logging in and doing a startx to open a aterm to do the necessary tweaking. Ive seen some people panic in this situation not knowing what to do. Just thought Id drop that piece of info for, well ya never know.

Had to do a bit of blind typing meself, too. Thanks for the reminder - must include it in my installation tipsheet.

However, I stumbled upon a better workaround in the forums:

This method is entirely stolen from
http://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...mp;pagenumber=2

Using xconfig (or whatever), in Graphics support, enable Support for frame buffer devices and VESA VGA graphics support. In Console display driver support, Select compiled-in fonts, VGA 8x8 and VGA 8x16. Select everything in Logo configuration.

Insert the following line into lilo.conf:
vga = ask
Lilo will now query you at boot as to which resolution you want.

More importantly, your screen will still be visible after you've chosen.

64bit
 

Hi

I am also trying to install 64 bit and i complied the kernel,
I booted from it, didnt get the display (framebuffer), but later on i set my default init to 4 (thank you guys for telling me beforehand about the display).
i got the gdm screen, but still i can not use my keyboard, or i cant see what i m typing ...

any hints ..

guru

in kernel.
64bit is on, AMDpowerNOW is on (and working, shows in dmesg)
ethernet works only when i pass pci=noacpi at lilo.

Just so you guys know....compiling the kernel to run in 64 bitness doesn not mean your computer is instantly running a 64 bit operating system. All of your software has to be compiled to take advantage of the extra bits too. If you really want to take advantage of your new processor now...you should probably try gentoo with the 64 bit stage 3 tarballs, or perhaps fedora or mandrake 64. Since stability is one of slackwares trademarks, it's probably not likely that a 64 bit slackware will appear anytime this soon. They like to do it once and get it right.

i agree with that !!