64-bit or 32-bit Linux

[Lennart Sorensen]

On Wed, Dec 12, 2007 at 12:04:13PM -0500, Henry de Valence wrote:
> I'm in the same situation. Is it possible to convert a 32bit install to a 
> 64bit one without wiping the drive?

No not really.

I suppose technically you could install a 64bit kernel (certainly debian
includes one with the 32bit version), and then create a chroot and do a
64bit install there, and eventually move over to using that one, but
that's still doing a reinstall except the hard way.

You could of course backup your config files (/etc) and your package list
(dpkg --get-selections > listofpackages) and then after installing a
base system with 64 bit you can ask dpkg to install the same packages
(dpkg --set-selections < listofpackages; apt-get dselect-upgrade) then
restore your config files to the new installs /etc.  That should be
pretty quick.

--
Len Sorensen
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