Is 32 bit Ubuntu installation necessary to install 64 bit Ubuntu?

Question

I'm going to install Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin(x64) and this article says it requires clean install from 32 bit. Does it mean -- forgive me, I'm Turk and my English is not perfect -- "First install 32 bit and then install 64 bit onto it?"

Answer 1

By "requires clean install from 32-bit" (under "64bit Cons") that page is trying to convey exactly the opposite of your assumption. It means that if you start with a 32-bit system, you cannot "upgrade" it to be 64-bit. Instead, you have to start fresh with a "clean" 64-bit installation.

You do not need to start with a 32-bit installation to get a 64-bit installation.

In fact, you really can't convert a 32-bit installation into a 64-bit installation. "Cross-grading" is unsupported and all existing methods for attempting it are likely to leave you with a poorly functioning system that contains some 64-bit and some 32-bit components.

If you want to install the 64-bit version of Ubuntu, just install that. Having the 32-bit version installed first will only complicate things, as you'd have to remove it or install over it.

Answer 2

No.
They are simply stating that you cannot upgrade an existing 32-bit Ubuntu installation to a newer, 64-bit version without first erasing the previous Ubuntu installation.

You may install a fresh copy of the 64-bit version of Ubuntu exactly as you would install the 32-bit version.

Answer 3

Simply - No. Just run the installation and install 64 bit version.

One of the cons you are referencing to, Requires clean install from 32bit, means that if you want to upgrade from 32 bit version to 64 one, this will not work - you'll need to make a clean install.