Arch Linux

fionn

Member

From: Campbell, CA

Registered: 2013-06-03

Posts: 47

Install on USB - for i686 and x86_64 Questions

I'm installing on a USB flash drive for portable use everywhere without lugging a laptop or even a netbook around.

The wiki at https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/In … B_key#Tips says: "For the most versatile compatibility it is recommended that you install the x86_64 architecture with multilib support because it will run on both 32 and 64 bit architectures. "

Through Multiple installs, I can get 32 bit or 64 bit installation -- but not both.  Installing with 64 bit and multilib enabled (yes, all of the [mutlilib] section in /etc/pacman.conf is uncommented) enables the repository, but only for the odd package that requires 32 bit code;  there's no 'parallel' 32 bit install or abilitiy to "run on both 32 and 64 bit architectures."  Sixty-four bit with 32 bit multilib enabled can't be booted on a 32 bit machine.

A plain reading of the 'Tips' section mentioned above suggests one can run a portable USB-based system on both 32 and 64 bit hardware.  I am, sadly, unable to find any suggestions how to get this to work.

Where might I look for a solution?

Thanks!

karol

Archivist

Registered: 2009-05-06

Posts: 25,440

Re: Install on USB - for i686 and x86_64 Questions

I'm not sure if that statement in the wiki is true. AFAIK multilib is for using 32-bit programs on a 64-bit system. To use a 64-bit system, you have to use hardware that has 64-bit instructions.
32-bit system will work on both 32-bit only and 64-bit hardware.

fionn

Member

From: Campbell, CA

Registered: 2013-06-03

Posts: 47

Re: Install on USB - for i686 and x86_64 Questions

I'm not sure if that statement in the wiki is true.......

It seemed odd when I read it.  Because I had only enabled [multilib] after a plain 64 bit install, I thought perhaps enabling it during the initial install might bring both architectures in.

Is that statement a candidate for deletion in the wiki?

fionn

Member

From: Campbell, CA

Registered: 2013-06-03

Posts: 47

Re: Install on USB - for i686 and x86_64 Questions

As a secondary followup question:  what kind of voodoo do they do on the dual-architecture install images?

karol

Archivist

Registered: 2009-05-06

Posts: 25,440

Re: Install on USB - for i686 and x86_64 Questions

I found the edit that put this info in the wiki: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php?ti … did=254699
64-bit w/ multilib will run both 32-bit and 64-bit applications, but it will run only on 64-bit hardware.
Maybe that's what the author meant. As it stands now, this statement is wrong.

As a secondary followup question:  what kind of voodoo do they do on the dual-architecture install images?

I doubt there is any magic involved. The iso has both the 32-bit and 64-bit applications.
https://projects.archlinux.org/archiso.git/

Last edited by karol (2013-10-28 14:45:14)