cross-grade 32b to 64b

Ourck20-1 · 02-04-2021, 12:17 AM

Hi all
i'd like to crossgrade Elive distro (32b-beta) to 64b...
Machine is HPelitebook 64b~i5 -refurbished (ssd+16ram)
The distro is based on debian (weesie) but last time i tryied
well...I lost everything !
So if anyone of you know a safe way to upgrade without breaking
Apt...Just add an arch...So i can install amd64 apps using gbedi.
I'm keen on this distro so no messing/killing this time even if i have
backups (3 ext. hdd)
Thanks & best
F.

business_kid · 02-05-2021, 06:25 AM

If you have a 64-bit system, you can add 32-bit libs, because obviously 32 ≠ 64. I'm no software expert, but I reckon you are in for a sticky end if you try doing it the other way, as your post title suggests. One obvious reason is that a 64bit pc is 100% compatible, but 32bit is not 100% compatible, as 64bit instructions are not all replicated in 32bit cpus.

If you want to replicate and are determined to try something, dip a toe in the water. Do a 64bit LFS, or CLFS which will give you an idea how doable it is.

Ourck20-1 · 02-05-2021, 07:41 AM

@ business_kid...Thanks
I don't want to f#ck the distro again.
Yet i'd like to install amd64 things
Obviously not possible on this 32b distro.
My main trouble is that there is ~1Tb of datas & no separate/home !
Not that easy choise...
Cross-gradind IS dangerous.
Best
Fred

business_kid · 02-05-2021, 11:08 AM

If you can back up to a usb drive with rsync or some such, you can partition your drive, which is probably the way to go.

computersavvy · 02-07-2021, 12:33 PM

It is not possible to upgrade from a 32 bit install to a 64 bit install without doing a complete new install. Almost every system file would need to be replaced, including most libraries.

The way I would go, without a separate /home partition, would be to install another drive, removing the one currently there, and do a new install with the 64 bit version. Making certain to have a separate partition for /home. Then reattach the old drive, mount it, and copy the data from the old /home to the new /home. Finally the old drive could be repartitioned for use as data.

Another option would be to not create a new partition for the new /home, but keep the data on the old drive and bind mount the old /home to the new /home.

A third option: Once the new install was done you could even delete all the old system files except the /home tree and make that entire drive the new /home partition with the whole drive available.