20110502UU -- 32-bit Ubuntu With 64-bit Win7?

[Tony Pursell]

On Mon, 2011-05-02 at 05:54 -0500, bmacasuru wrote:
> Greetings --
> 
> I have recently purchased a laptop which (UNfortunately!) has Windows 7
> Home Premium, 64-bit Edition installed by default.  Basically, I think
> that this is STUPID -- but it is the case I must work with.
> 
> I would like to install Ubuntu 11.04 32-bit.  I would REALLY like to
> simply "virtualize" my Windows installation (because I have one
> application which pretty-much demands a Windows environment).  In the
> absence of any installation-media (although I have "recovery" media) for
> Windows, is this possible?  If so, how do I do it?
> 
> But the second-best alternative is to dual-boot.  Do I really NEED to
> use Ubuntu 11.04 in 64-bit or can I use 32-bit?  If I get to use 32-bit,
> are there any special "gottcha" conditions that I should be aware of?
> 
> THANKS for your insights!!!!!
> 
There is no problem dual booting 64 bit Windows and 32 bit Ubuntu.

There have been some problems with the 64 bit Ubuntu, e.g. with Flash,
but it is catching up now.  However, sticking to 32 bit Ubuntu is OK
unless you have a real need for 64 bit, like massive amounts of RAM.
The normal max RAM for 32 bit is 3GB, but the PAE extensions will give
you more.

Tony