[plug] 64 Bit Upgrade of Ubuntu

[meyerri at westnet.com.au]

On Saturday, May 14, 2011 06:17:22 PM Peter wrote:
> On 14/05/11 14:41, Dion Curchin wrote:
> > Hi, Google isn't being all that helpful today.
> > 
> > So. Does anyone know if its possible to upgrade Ubuntu Natty from 32
> > Bit to 64 Bit? All the google results suggest that it can't be done
> > and that a clean install is required. However all the results seem to
> > be old, like 2008 kind of old.
> > 
> > I don't really get why such an upgrade can't be done though. The
> > dist-upgrade process replaces the kernel, system binaries and drivers,
> > so why can't that be done and simply replace those things for the
> > latest version in 64 bit?
> > 
> > Any thoughts smart people?
> > 
> > Cheers.
> > Dion.
> 
> Hi Dion,
> 
> As far as I know it isn't possible to upgrade a 32bit system to a 64bit
> system.  Yes, the dist-upgrade process can swap out kernels, etc, but
> most of the apps have been compiled to run on a 32bit system...  Just
> upgrading the kernel and some system binaries would still break the
> 'system' as a whole...
> 
> I think you are better off just starting with a fresh 64 bit installation.
> 
> Cheers,
> Peter

Agreed - even if you do succeed in getting a new kernel, etc, think of the 
months of subtle bugs creeping out to trip you up ..... *shudder*