Install Mac OS X 64 bit on a 32 bit Mac
Alain2131
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Alain2131 Posted messages 550 Status Membre -
Alain2131 Posted messages 550 Status Membre -
Hello,
I have with me a MacBook Pro running Mac OS X 10.6.8 32 bit. But since it has an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, it can support 64 bit.
So, if I download Mac OS X 10.6.8 (legit or not), can I install it without any issues? Because when I tried to install Windows 7 64 bit, there was an error that the 32 bit version managed to avoid...
Thank you in advance :)
Best regards,
Alain2131.
P.S. Sorry for the accents, I don't know how to make them on a Mac (I'm a beginner in the Apple world).
--
Please make sure to formulate your questions well, be polite, be precise, and give a revealing name to the subject of your posts. And above all, thank you for searching on Google before posting a question.
I have with me a MacBook Pro running Mac OS X 10.6.8 32 bit. But since it has an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, it can support 64 bit.
So, if I download Mac OS X 10.6.8 (legit or not), can I install it without any issues? Because when I tried to install Windows 7 64 bit, there was an error that the 32 bit version managed to avoid...
Thank you in advance :)
Best regards,
Alain2131.
P.S. Sorry for the accents, I don't know how to make them on a Mac (I'm a beginner in the Apple world).
--
Please make sure to formulate your questions well, be polite, be precise, and give a revealing name to the subject of your posts. And above all, thank you for searching on Google before posting a question.
4 réponses
Hi, I think it mostly depends on the exact model of your MacBook... even though the Snow Leopard system kernel runs in 32 bits, 64-bit applications can actually still be executed, unlike Windows or Linux. As for Snow Leopard, it comes with two kernels, 32-bit and 64-bit, and the optimal kernel will be used for your computer. As you can see if you open the 'Activity Monitor' application in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder, you'll see in the Type column that some applications run in 64 bits and others in 32. Finally, regarding your operating system, I've always managed to download it, even if not 'legit'; however, it's a risky bet because there are probably a few modified versions by malicious individuals floating around out there on the web. At the price it costs ($20 or $30 for us in Canada), it's worth buying and having peace of mind, especially if the content of your computer is dear to you! Have a good evening, JF.
Thank you for your response, JF.
Being used to Windows, I have a bit of trouble understanding this principle.
So, if I understand correctly, Mac OS X is both x32 and x64? It automatically selects which version to use?
But if it's both 32 and 64 bits, then why did I get an error when I tried to install the 64-bit version of Windows 7?
Thank you again for your response : )
Best regards,
Alain2131.
Being used to Windows, I have a bit of trouble understanding this principle.
So, if I understand correctly, Mac OS X is both x32 and x64? It automatically selects which version to use?
But if it's both 32 and 64 bits, then why did I get an error when I tried to install the 64-bit version of Windows 7?
Thank you again for your response : )
Best regards,
Alain2131.
You're welcome!
I know that OS X is very different from Linux or Windows when it comes to handling 32-bit or 64-bit... In the end, I looked at Apple's documentation and you can force it to boot in 64-bit with 10.6.8. It's simple, just start your computer and hold down the 6 and 4 keys right from the start (gray screen). There’s just one downside to this: some drivers, like say, drivers you might have for different devices, printer, sound card, etc., are written in 32-bit. Those won't be loaded when you’re in 64-bit... If that works for you, you can 'lock' your computer in 64-bit mode. Instructions:
1-Go to terminal which is in utilities, in applications, and paste this command:
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot 'Kernel Flags' 'arch=x86_64'
- your main password will be requested due to the sudo (super user do) command. Restart your computer and it will be in 64-bit mode.
- if you ever want to go back to how it was before, put the same command in terminal but leave the last value of the line empty, so:
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot 'Kernel Flags' ''
(it's not a double quote at the end but rather two single quotes next to each other)
** An even simpler solution: download and install the new OS X Mavericks, it's now free and it just came out yesterday!! Good luck with your Mac JF!
I know that OS X is very different from Linux or Windows when it comes to handling 32-bit or 64-bit... In the end, I looked at Apple's documentation and you can force it to boot in 64-bit with 10.6.8. It's simple, just start your computer and hold down the 6 and 4 keys right from the start (gray screen). There’s just one downside to this: some drivers, like say, drivers you might have for different devices, printer, sound card, etc., are written in 32-bit. Those won't be loaded when you’re in 64-bit... If that works for you, you can 'lock' your computer in 64-bit mode. Instructions:
1-Go to terminal which is in utilities, in applications, and paste this command:
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot 'Kernel Flags' 'arch=x86_64'
- your main password will be requested due to the sudo (super user do) command. Restart your computer and it will be in 64-bit mode.
- if you ever want to go back to how it was before, put the same command in terminal but leave the last value of the line empty, so:
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot 'Kernel Flags' ''
(it's not a double quote at the end but rather two single quotes next to each other)
** An even simpler solution: download and install the new OS X Mavericks, it's now free and it just came out yesterday!! Good luck with your Mac JF!
Thank you for your reply : )
But how do I know if I’ve booted in 64-bit? I tried holding down the 6 and 4 at startup on the Mac, but I don’t see any difference...
Thank you very much : )
Best regards,
Alain2131.
**The Mac I have is too old for Mavericks - I tried to install it, but there was an error. The Mac is from 2007 (approximately).
But how do I know if I’ve booted in 64-bit? I tried holding down the 6 and 4 at startup on the Mac, but I don’t see any difference...
Thank you very much : )
Best regards,
Alain2131.
**The Mac I have is too old for Mavericks - I tried to install it, but there was an error. The Mac is from 2007 (approximately).
Sure, it's true, sorry I forgot to tell you! Okay, I thought I understood that your computer was newer than that, indeed with an older computer, it's generally better not to upgrade to a too recent system, it can get slow.
So, I don’t have 10.6.8 in front of me, but to see if you're indeed on 64 bits, you can go to the Apple menu -> About This Mac -> More Info -> System Report -> Software.
(if it's like me in Mountain Lion)...
From there you will see a summary and if Kernel 64-bit is set to yes, and Extensions is yes as well, you are indeed in 64-bit mode. I can't tell you if those are the exact words, because in Mountain Lion that I use, everything is in 64 by default so that menu doesn't contain that info anymore... hoping this helps you, JF
So, I don’t have 10.6.8 in front of me, but to see if you're indeed on 64 bits, you can go to the Apple menu -> About This Mac -> More Info -> System Report -> Software.
(if it's like me in Mountain Lion)...
From there you will see a summary and if Kernel 64-bit is set to yes, and Extensions is yes as well, you are indeed in 64-bit mode. I can't tell you if those are the exact words, because in Mountain Lion that I use, everything is in 64 by default so that menu doesn't contain that info anymore... hoping this helps you, JF
Well, on Snow Leopard, there is no "System Report" in "More Info," and I can't find it anywhere else (But I admit I’m not quite sure where to look).
By the way, I saw the presentation video that Apple posted on its site (in English, about 1 hour long). When the guy said that Mavericks was free, I jumped on the Mac to try it out - later reminded that this Mac was from 2007, and the presenter said 2008 and up. Too bad.
I will do a little research to see exactly how to boot in 64 bits - maybe I’m making a mistake and that will help me understand better...
Best regards,
Alain2131.
P.S. Indeed, you are helping me a lot =P
Thanks JF ^.^
By the way, I saw the presentation video that Apple posted on its site (in English, about 1 hour long). When the guy said that Mavericks was free, I jumped on the Mac to try it out - later reminded that this Mac was from 2007, and the presenter said 2008 and up. Too bad.
I will do a little research to see exactly how to boot in 64 bits - maybe I’m making a mistake and that will help me understand better...
Best regards,
Alain2131.
P.S. Indeed, you are helping me a lot =P
Thanks JF ^.^
Good evening,
I can't believe it.
Find the exact serial number of this Mac using this page:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1366
Then paste this serial number into the designated area on this page:
https://checkcoverage.apple.com
Check the consistency of the information using this utility:
http://mactracker.ca/
--
Have a good day, or Good Night..:).
Francis
It's so old that Apple doesn't even list the date =P
I can't believe it.
Find the exact serial number of this Mac using this page:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1366
Then paste this serial number into the designated area on this page:
https://checkcoverage.apple.com
Check the consistency of the information using this utility:
http://mactracker.ca/
--
Have a good day, or Good Night..:).
Francis
Here, I was talking on this page, at the height of the MacBookPro2.2 -> https://support.apple.com/fr-fr/HT201300
But thank you for the links, I will be able to check when I have the Mac in front of me.
Best regards,
Alain2131.
But thank you for the links, I will be able to check when I have the Mac in front of me.
Best regards,
Alain2131.