32 bit or 64 bit CPU
I am a Windows XP "refugee" and I am late... Before downloading Linux Mint I have a choice of either 32-bit or 64-bit CPU. How on earth I can tell what is my system CPU?
Thanks Paul the Canadian |
so you do not know what type and kind of computer you bought , that had XP installed to it .
nor do you know if you have been using the 32 bit xp or the 64 bit xp that means you do not know what you bought what did the xp boot screen say? --- 32 bit --- windows Home ? ( or Windows XP Starter Edition) ? windows Professional ? Windows XP Media Center Edition ? --- 64 bit ---- Windows XP 64-Bit Edition? Windows XP Professional x64 Edition? what is on that xp reinstall cd you got when you bought this computer ? and just how old is it ? as in is it from 2001 ? or from 2007 as a "Vista ready" computer How much ram dose this computer have ? if it is from 2001 it might have 256 meg of ram if it is from 2007 and a "vista ready" it might have 1 gig ram |
Go to System information and check your processor make and model, it is probably also listed in the BIOS settings screen. Then post it here or check online to see if it supports 64-bit.
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nice trial-and-error method:
1st: if it has 1 cpu, it is most probably 32bit, if it has more, it is most probably 64bit. i said "most probably" so please don't quote me on that. 2nd: a 32bit linux will run on a 64bit machine 3rd: just try the 64bit install. if it boots, jackpot! tadaa, you have a 64bit machine. of course you can also try to get proof on the interwebz first. |
Trial and error would be more time-consuming that simply looking up the processor IMO.
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Burn a live 32 bit CD and enter the following command:-
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inxi -b Quote:
[If your machine is 64 bit, either accept 32 bit or burn a 64 bit CD] |
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getconf LONG_BIT |
Does 'getconf' work under Windoze ? I'm betting not.
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Before downloading a whole installation medium or live-CD just to check the CPU type it would be much easier and less time consuming to install a free version of tools like Aida32 and install it on Windows to have a look at the hardware information.
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I doubt it can hurt to use the 32 bit at first. Basically the 64 bit won't install if you have a 32 bit. There is very little difference to the newbie user I'd think between the two choices.
If you boot it up and or know the ram amount it might be a clue. If you have over 4 gig then it almost certainly a 64 bit system. |
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Check out this site :) http://www.cpuid.com/
There you can download a program which will tell you everything about your PC. The name of the program is CPU-Z. |
Post the amount of ram you have in it. We may need to suggest a different solution.
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