Want some info before install on a amd turion x2

cisbrane · n00b Joined: 31 Oct 2003 Posts: 21

hello,

i just ordered my new HP Laptop w/ the AMD Turion X2 64 bit processor and i need some help.

since it's a dual core 64bit processor, should i choose the amd64 install? also what kind of
kernel do i need to take advantage of both cores?

it also has some "special" SATA HDD because when ppl try to reinstall win xp, they all seem to have some issues with that driver...

it also has a Broadcom wireless card... is their any way to support that inthe 64bit linux..? apparently it's hard to find a working x64 driver for ndiswrapper so... yeah...

plase help

thanks

cisbrane

Keruskerfuerst · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:51 am Post subject:

1. You need the AMD64 install CD.
2. You have to configure the kernel with SMP.
3. depends on the chipset
4. LAN?

cisbrane · n00b Joined: 31 Oct 2003 Posts: 21

i could use lan i guess ( i heard some ppl having trouble w/ it in Ubuntu i think) but i would rather like to be mobile.

how do i configure kernel w/ smp? is that in the install manual?

desultory · Bodhisattva Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 9410

As Turion processors use x86 instructions with some extensions using the AMD64 install CD is optional, if you want to you can (or at least should be able to) use a vanilla 32 bit install CD and only later switch to 64 bit after more problems have been worked out or you actually need a 64 bit environment for some reason. Same goes for SMP, although I do not know of any real reason to do that.

As for how to configure your kernel for SMP, it is covered in brief in the Handbook.

Keruskerfuerst · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:37 pm Post subject:

The AMD Athlon64 is a real 64 Bit processor with a 32 Bit mode.

desultory · Bodhisattva Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 9410

True, but currently in some circumstances using the 32 bit version of the OS is better from a usability standpoint. Certain packages are only available in such a way as to make use in a 64 bit environment inconvenient (32 bit binaries), these may include drivers for hardware in the system making using chroot a rather less viable prospect.

I was not and am not specifying what to do, I was and am offering options as to what could be done to suit the users needs, preferences and whims. Though obviously the choice of a Turion is indicative of at least an interest in using a 64 bit environment.

Keruskerfuerst · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 12:50 pm Post subject:

Why?
In 64 Bit the processor works much faster.
I have a AMD Athlon64 and the two installed OS are 64 Bit.
Everything works fine apart from some programs like flash or openoffice, which are only 32 Bit.

Actually the linux kernel does not support swiching to 32 Bit mode. A 32 Bit emulation lib is needed.

desultory · Bodhisattva Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 9410