32 Ubuntu on 64 bit AMD CPU, how ?

[Gary Allen Garibaldi]

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Vincent Trouilliez wrote:
> Hi list,
> 
> A friend just bought a few computer parts to upgrade his old machine.
> The new motherboard is fitted with one of these "64bit" dual core AMD
> CPU's. The actual descroption on the vendor's website is:
> 
> "AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4600+ Socket 939"
> 
> I think I gathered from this list, by skimming posts here and there
> over the past few months, that it is possible to get these 64bit CPUs to
> run in 32bit mode, so that we can avoid all the problems with 64 bit (or
> lack of) desktop software, and run a 32 bit OS which will work just as
> well as on a 32 bit CPU.
> 
> However the technical details escape me:
> 
> How do I configure the CPU to work in 32 bit mode ? Is there an option
> in the BIOS, which will configure the CPU at power-up ?
> Or, is it done automatically, in software ? I mean for example, if I
> just install a 32 bit Ubuntu version, will the 32 bit kernel detect the
> 64 bit CPU and automatically set it up for 32 bit operation when
> booting ?
> 
> I should visit my friend tomorrow to install Ubuntu on that new machine,
> so I would like to know what I am talking about by then ;-)
> 
> Thanks in advance for shedding some light :-)
> 
> Regards,
> 
> --
> Vince
> 
Vince

I currently run the 32 bit OS on my AMD 64 without any problems and no
special setup configurations. Just place the install disk in a cdrom
drive, bootup the computer and your off an running with the install.
Some members have said it may slow your computer down a little, but I
have not noticed it at all. In fact some programs seem to run better
with the 32 bit OS vice the 64 Bit OS (games and surfing the web are
just two types of programs off the top of my head).

Hope this helps

Gary
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