Will 64bit version run on 32bit computer ?

[rnport]

I am a relative newbie for 64 bit OS, hence a very basic question. I checked in faq and could not find the answer. Will 64 bit version run at all on 32 bit computers, may be with the help of compatibility modules ?

[Falcony]

Run new ones PC

In 2003 AMD introduces its Opteron and Athlon 64 processor lines, based on its AMD64 architecture which is the first x86-based 64-bit processor architecture.

Then Intel also do this in 2004

All fresh CPU for PC works for both arch x86 or 64-bit.

What to select?

Depends on appication.

Some of them still 32-bit and for them x86 better

[rnport]

Specifically, will porteus-64bit run on pentiums and netbooks? I want to stick to one OS.

[Falcony]

What kind of Pentiums?

There are many differnet ver. Pentiums.

x86 runs at any CPU from pentium one to laste one

[rnport]

I think for the moment I will stick to 32bit version.

[DilbertLinux]

In short no a 64bit OS can not run on a 32bit computer. You can do it the other way around though a 32bit OS can run on a 64bit computer. So a 32bit OS will run on about anything a 64 bit OS has to run on 64bit hardware.

The somewhat long answer
A 64bit OS is going to use 64bit addressing which a 32bit processor can't do. But in the other direction a 32bit OS only uses 32bit addressing and a 64bit computer can handle that. Other then that you just need to remember that if you run a 32bit OS on a 64bit computer you can only access a max of 4GB of RAM.

Hope that helped.