can 64bit processor run both 64bit and 32bit computers?

DJOtaku · 09-07-2005, 12:42 PM

Linux, unlike windows, is one of the first OSes to take advantage of 64bit computing. I recently found a very nicely priced Athlon 64 computer that I wanted to put Linux on. But will that mean that I won't be able to use any of my 32bit linux programs?

Thanks.

Bruce Hill · 09-07-2005, 12:59 PM

I just built a comp two weeks ago and used an AMD Sempron 64-bit CPU.
I installed Slackware -current which is a 32-bit OS, no problems.

addy86 · 09-07-2005, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DJOtaku
Linux, unlike windows, is one of the first OSes to take advantage of 64bit computing.

64-bit computers have been existing for 15 years, it's just the braindead and antique ISA of the i8086 that kept them away from the PC market for so long

DJOtaku · 09-08-2005, 08:01 PM

but if I installed a 64bit version of Fedora, Debian, etc, could I use both 32 and 64 bit progs?

Thanks,

DeusExLinux · 09-08-2005, 09:14 PM

yes, you will be able to use both.... Most of the time if you install a 64 bit distro, all of the programs will be compiled for the 64 bit chipset (like the mac versions...), but if you use a 32 bit distro, a 64 bit processor SHOULD emulate the 32 bit procesessing fine.