Considering Linux if I can load a x86 program onto a x64 computer
 

Howdy,
I've heard great things about Linux.
I still use Windows 7 on my home laptop but am having a difficult time loading a 32 bit program onto my 64 bit computer.

Will downloading Linux afford me the ability to do so?
I really don't want to purchase the 64 bit version of the program I'm trying to download.

Thanks in Advance!

Basparky

Generally, 32 bit programs will run on 64 bit computers. For example, on Fedora, if one uses the command line yum package manager, it will pull in all necessary 32 bit libraries that are needed by that 32 bit program.

You might specify the program you have in mind, then someone can give a more definitive answer. Generally speaking, however, I can't think of a 32 bit program that failed to run for me on 64 bit Linux.

Member Response
 

Hi,

Welcome to LQ!
What problems are you experiencing? Please considering reading the following FYI to aid you for future posting(s).
NO!
Installing a Gnu/Linux will afford you the abilities to utilize programs developed for Linux. Sure you could use a Virtual Machine(VM) to host other clients to provide the ability to run native code within the client OS. Remember, if you are experiencing issues now you will experience the same issues in a OS within a vm. Code for a MS based OS will run within that OS. 32 bit & 64 bit are arch for a particular system. Of course you could use 'Wine' for Linux;Linux-Newbie provides useful links to hopefully help you to understand things as a newbie to Linux.

Hope this helps!

I think it matters what particular program you're running. Does it require libraries or DLL files to run? If it is a stand-alone executable, then it will help. Unfortunately, many programs would be compiled to use the standard OS supplied input/output libraries; much like in C when you use stdio.h. And there's a difference between Linux and Windows at the point where the libraries come into play. The linker which created that program informed it how to locate the standard OS libraries for a particular type of OS.

Linux has an environment available, Wine; which allows Windows programs to run under Linux, because a Windows environment is embedded like a virtual OS, on your Linux machine. I used it a long time ago, it was a trade-off, but it did work. Meanwhile I had a relative who used it extensively and always asked me support questions. I didn't get the impression that it worked on an everyday basis as well as they'd have liked. They were into gaming so a lot of it was performance of graphics.

And sorry to hear of your plight. We have a similar dilemma in our company. Some of the design tools no longer exist, but we have the binaries which formerly ran on things like W95 and absolutely cannot run on 64-bit machines. So we maintain a few old machines and only boot them when we wish to use the utilities, always looking for replacements, or finding alternatives because as good as the tools were, there are alternatives such as writing replacement utilities on our own.

"Will downloading Linux afford me the ability to do so?"So, Linux: yes...more info\fun definitely always good too. (dual boot Linux and Linux ofcourse) :D

Most Linux distros are multi-lib compatible, which means they will have no problem running a 32-bit binary on a 64-bit machine. However, chances are they will not be able to run a Windows binary (32 or 64 bit), simply because Windows binaries are not compatible with Linux. Some simple Windows programs can run in WINE, but otherwise you'd need to set up a virtual machine running a real Windows OS, which brings you back to your current dilemma. That is unless the program you're referring to is offered in a Linux version as well.

Running 32 bit bit Linux programs on 64 bit Linux is common and easy, but it is more common and easier to run 32 bit Windows programs on 64 bit Windows.

So I suspect your problem in Windows is not with the program being 32-bit.

If you need to pay to get a 64-bit Windows version of the program, then what about a 32-bit Linux version?

If the 32-bit Windows version is free, you should be able to tell us what it is in order to get more specific help.

If the 32-bit Windows version is pirated, please don't ask for help with that here.

i use to have a program called the amazing slow downer (or something like that) for windows an old machine emulator,,, Linux is all i use now! ;)