The question is how I convert a 32 bit drive to 74 bit and it comes from not knowing how to address the hard drive where there are a number of partitions, some ext some NT, some fat 32, etc/ I would like to get above the partition level and re-provision the whole drive. One question is do I need to do a low level format and, if so, what is the next step. I have gparted, but unfortunately it is on the drive that I want to re-provision, So, I guess that that has to be run from a flash drive or a CD?

Just in case this is not clear, I have a 750 GB Toshiba HDD that is currently hosting an installation of 32 Linux Mint. The drive once was part of a Toshiba laptop that had windows 10 installed. To use it, I freed up some space and made partitions that I used for the Linux Mint(32bit). I now want to make that installation 64 bit, but I would like to have access to the whole drive. As you can see, I have only a foggy idea of how to do this as I am a Linux newbie. So, if you could lead me through the process of give me a reference to go through it, I'd be very appreciative.

If you love the install that you have then leave it.

If you simply must have 64 bit then you have only a few ways that I know of. One is to install 64bit on free space. Move your data over and recover 32 bit space.
For the most part the OS portion of the new system would be 64 bit, not so much any other partitions. (we may need to verify that)

edit, I didn't make that very clear. I meant that your current 32 bit install would only have programs that were capable of running in 32 bit modes. It could be that they will run just fine on the new install. It could also mean that you may have to play with some programs on these other partitions to get them to work. As noted below, the partition has nothing to do with 32/64 bit.


The other solution is to just make a backup and test it then clean install your new system.

In any case, if you want to save data then make a backup and test it. (before you start)

above the partition level and re-provision the whole drive. If you mean by that is

you want to wipe it completely out and start over, well then whatever you are going to install on it can do it at the time of installation through their install process.

if you are not going to use it for a different OS then you can get gparted on a usb stick and do this too.

The drive is not 32-bit, the installed system is (*).
Just install your new system, instructing the partitioner to use the entire disk - all data will erased.

(*) - ignoring limitations in MBR partition layout; not an issue for a 750G drive.

Note.
I will have to also warn you that some systems have a problem as to where /boot would be. It could be that you can't place the 64 bit boot in an area the bios can access. That would be the idea of installing 64 bit in some free space at the end of the drive that you made with gparted or other tools.

It is possible to move the 32 bit area in the current drive sometimes and then install in the lower part of the drive the new 64 bit.


Pretty sure I made this much more complex than needed.

You should be able to use your 64bit installation media to install how you want it on the disk without having to do anything other than decide how you wish to use the space on the disk.

If it is UEFI, it will create the necessary partition for you, otherwise it will just install as normal.
I would suggest a / partition of at least 10GB, depending on how many programs you will want to install.
(A swap partition equal to your ram if you are on a laptop.)
The rest of the disk as your /home partition.