Is it 32bit or 64 bit?

garyg007 · 03-29-2009, 08:55 PM

I am trying to install Debian as a guest using VirtualBox running on a Slackware host.

I downloaded debian-500-i386-businesscard.iso. Is this the 32bit install package? (I know, it's for network install).

When I try to install from it, the kernel that is installed is 2.6.686. Isn't this a 64bit kernel?

I do have a 64bit processor, but the slackware host is 32bit - which I believe means that VirtualBox is also 32bit.

Whats going on?

Gary

jtshaw · 03-29-2009, 09:22 PM

That is a 32-bit install package. The kernel supports both 64 bit and 32 bit depending on how it was built.

garyg007 · 03-29-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtshaw

That is a 32-bit install package. The kernel supports both 64 bit and 32 bit depending on how it was built.

That's the question --- how was it built?.

I ask this because there were errors booting; and errors trying to install VBox guest addition; and also errors installing the 32bit hplip. This all worked with 'etch';
I believe that what I have now is "Lenny"

AlucardZero · 03-29-2009, 09:57 PM

i386
686
32-bit.

Is this the 32bit install package?
Yes.

Isn't this a 64bit kernel?
No.

64-bit kernels will have x86_64 in the uname -a string, and amd64 in the package name.

486, 586, 686, k7, all are 32-bit, they just are named for the processors they were created for. With Lenny, all 32-bit x86 processors get the -686 package (the split for AMD K7 procs was merged back in), and all x86_64 (AMD and Intel!) get amd64. (ia64 is Itanium and is completely different)