I am having core 2 duo processor which is able to use 64 bit OS.
Currently I am using ubuntu 11.10 32 bit OS.
I want to upgrade my ubuntu as 64 bit and next LTS release I wanted to continue for next 3 years as it is more stable.
Please tell me if is it possible to change my 32 bit into 64 bit without reinstalling whole new OS?
I mean is there any way on net to download packages like that?

Hello,

I don't think you'll be able to change your OS architecture from 32-bit to 64-bit without re-installing your entire OS. Your best option is to backup configuration files, list of installed software and all other documents you want to keep. Next perform a clean install of the 64-bit version and install what you need after that.

Kind regards,

Eric

Thanks for your reply.
I am looking for debian 64 bit to download from net. But I am very confused as there is written amd 64 bit.
I am having core 2 duo processor. Will you please help me in getting right iso file of debian 64 bit for my laptop.

---------- Post added 02-27-12 at 12:56 PM ----------

Thanks for your reply.
I am looking for debian 64 bit to download from net. But I am very confused as there is written amd 64 bit.
I am having core 2 duo processor. Will you please help me in getting right iso file of debian 64 bit for my laptop.

amd64 is indeed what you want. This is just another name for x86_64

Hello,

The amd64 is the right one if you're looking for a Debian 64-bit installation iso, unless if you have Itanium, PowerPC, Sparc based hardware, which you don't have according to your post. You can go for either the full DVDs, small CD, network install, either one will do, depending on your needs. Just make sure to get the amd64 image(s) if you want a 64-bit version of Debian. If you have a good internet connection I would personally go for the network install. It's a small download and when you run it you select what you want to install so that your system is according to your needs without things you don't want. You'll avoid having to download large volumes.

Kind regards,

Eric

1 members found this post helpful.

If you are installed on two partitions, / (root) and /home, you will still need to install a new system but you can leave your /home partition unformatted and just format the / partition.

This will leave all your data where it is (backing it up is still a good idea).

Tell me how to keep my home folder as it is and install other os?
I dont even have idea how to do it.

Hi,

If you have a USB memory or disk available you can use that to copy the contents of your home folder using the command line or a graphical interface. Don't forget to check if you need to copy also configuration directories for safe keeping (the hidden directories under your home dir).

Kind regards,

Eric

If I am currently using 32 bit operating system. Is it possible for me to select 64 bit while upgrading online to next release?
It may be mint, debian or kubuntu.
is it possible to do so?

See EricTRA's first comment. No this is not easy to do today. Reinstall is your best option currently. That said, MultiArch may allow you to do something like this one day in the distant future. See the theoretical story about "Shawn", here: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MultiarchSpec#User_stories

To be 100% clear, the MultiArch Spec highlighted on that page is not yet implemented on stable versions of Debian or Ubuntu right now, so it is not available to you today. I would assume that pretty much everyone else who has migrated from 32-Bit to 64-Bit Debian/Ubuntu previously has done so via reinstall. There may be some convoluted way to do this in place but reinstall is the simplest method currently available.