On 18/10/2013 02:08 AM, Bob Proulx wrote:
No, I have only 2 gig. I have installed 32-bit Etch in this laptop in 2007, without checking the possibility to install a 64-bit OS. Later on, I found that 64-bit is possible. Now I have to upgrade from Squeeze to Wheezy anyway. So I was thinking why can't I go for a Wheezy 64-bit.Aniyan Rajan wrote:I have a Debian/Squeeze 32-bit stable release (6.0.3), which is natively installed in my laptop. The processor is a 64-bit processor (Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7250 @ 2.00GHz). Now, I would like to upgrade the OS to Wheezy 64-bit.Why? What benefit do you expect from it being a 64-bit system? Also the most important detail you left out. How much memory do you have? Do you have more than 4 gig of memory?
I thought the above article would be easier like the normal dist-upgrade, even though I may face some issues that needs research and fix. So from your suggestion, I think it is a good idea to backup the entire system (using a dd command), then format the harddisk and do a fresh installation.I found this article: https://wiki.debian.org/Migrate32To64BitThe above is an experimental process. It is meant as a sharing of information for hackers to learn. It requires detailed actions to be taken in order to be successful. A problem along the way and you would be left with an unusable system. This is how development occurs. Someone says, it can't be done. Someone else says, I did it this way. Time passes and various people try doing it various ways. If it becomes mature then that eventually is promoted to a normal easy thing to do. But in the beginning it is very scary development for experts only. Currently migrating systems from 32-bit to 64-bit is a technical possibility. It is like walking on a tightrope between two balloons. Is it possible. Yes. Has it been done. Yes. Would *I* walk a tight rope between two hot air balloons? NO!! Backup your data. Install a fresh 64-bit system. Copy your data back.
Thanks.