How to tell what architecture I have?

whistlenut · 07-19-2008, 03:37 PM

I'm trying to install Debian, and they list all the different manuals for different computer architectures. How do I tell what I have? By the way, when it comes partition time, how do I tell which ones are Ubuntu and which are Windows so I don't deleat the wrong ones? Thank you very much,

Josh.

slackhack · 07-19-2008, 04:01 PM

what kind of processor do you have? i386 is a safe choice for most intel/amd-based desktops.

you can view your partition layout in cfdisk. that will usually list the filesystem type, so you can easily see which ones are windoze. if you're not sure what's mounted where in your linux install, look in /etc/fstab or do fdisk -l (edit: that's the letter "l," the one after k).

jay73 · 07-19-2008, 04:04 PM

If you have an intel or AMD processor, i386 (=32 bit pc) or x86_64/AMD64 (=64 bit pc). 64 bit pcs include AMD Athlon 64, Intel Core 2 Duo and Quadcore (the last generation of intel pentums too). You can't go wrong with i386 as 64 pcs can run 32 bit operating systems just as well while it doesn't work the other way round.

If you feel uncertain about partitioning, install gparted in ubuntu and clear some space or create partitions before you fire up your install cd. Gparted will also show the identifiers of your partitions (/dev/sdx type).

sycamorex · 07-19-2008, 04:07 PM

Unless you have an apple computer, Your architecture is probably i386 (for 32bit processors) or amd64 (64bit processors - both intel and amd processors). Do you know which processor you've got? If can boot into windows, check it by right clicking 'properties' on My Computer - as far as I remember, there should be the name of your processor. Even if you have a 64-bit processor you can safely download the i386 image of debian.

comm2k · 07-19-2008, 04:20 PM

Try uname and cat /proc/cpuinfo, output from an pIII machine below:

Code:

$ uname -a
Linux hostname 2.6.18-5-686 #1 SMP Tue Dec 18 21:24:20 UTC 2007 i686 GNU/Linux

and there is also:

Code:

$ cat /proc/cpuinfo
(shortened output)
processor       : 0
vendor_id       : GenuineIntel
cpu family      : 6
model           : 8
model name      : Pentium III (Coppermine)
stepping        : 6
cpu MHz         : 797.365
cache size      : 256 KB
(...)

syg00 · 07-19-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whistlenut

when it comes partition time, how do I tell which ones are Ubuntu and which are Windows so I don't deleat the wrong ones?

From a Ubuntu terminal, try this - should be obvious.

Code:

sudo fdisk -l

whistlenut · 07-21-2008, 10:33 PM

Thank you all very much. What partition types would indicate Ubuntu or Windows? My goal is to delete my ubuntu instalation and install Debian in its place as I've encountered some crippleing bugs with the Orca screen reader. While we're at it, is there a way to instal Debian with either Orca talking or another audio installer guiding me through the process? Thanks a lot. Boy, I've been feeling very overwhelmed with Linux lately. This is a hole new world for me.