[kwlug-disc] upgrading hardware/64bit OS

[Gary Walsh]

On Mon, 2010-08-30 at 11:32 -0400, Chris Irwin wrote:
> On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 11:09, Khalid Baheyeldin <kb at 2bits.com> wrote:
> >> Upgrade her hardware to a new processor with lots of RAM, then upgrade the
> >> OS to take advantage of the RAM, then virtualbox will run faster?
> 
> Virtualbox may run faster if your CPU supports (and virtualbox is
> using) virtualization extensions (vt-x on intel, amd-v on AMD).
> 
> > I can't say for sure. Perhaps.
> >
> > The part that concerns me is how you can upgrade from 32 to 64 without a
> > reinstall.
> 
> I remember reading about some folks running a 64-bit kernel with a
> 32-bit userspace. This gave them the memory (etc) benefits, but
> regular 32-bit compatibility (and limitations on the application
> side).
> 
> I doubt any distros provide a 64-bit kernel for their 32-bit releases, though.

Mandriva 64-bit is a hybrid system that allows you to run 32-bit
binaries on the 64-bit system.  For instance, you can install the 32-bit
version of Firefox for flash plugin compatibility.


-- 
Gary Walsh <gwalsh at notw.ca>