Can I Convert my 32bit VM to 64bit?

[jimwg]

Greetings!

Couldn't find this issue under search mode or Google. (BTW I'm just a non-techie playing it by ear!)
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I have my current 32bit VM set up fine with proper apps and wish to see how they perform under 64bits. Is there anyway outside of creating a whole new 64bit VM and reinstalling all my apps which I can convert my 32bit VM to 64bit?

Thanks for any suggestions!

Jim in NYC

[Perryg]

I can convert my 32bit VM to 64bit

Depends. Windows guest is a no. Linux maybe but for all the effort it would take you should just install a new one.

[socratis]

You shouldn't be thinking in terms of a VM, but rather in terms of a computer. If the OS allows it (independent of if it is in a VM or not), sure, but as Perry said, it's a pain.

[mpack]

If the goal was to create a like for like app performance comparison then it won't work, because installing a 64bit HAL would change too many things.

You'll just have to understand it from first principles: generally speaking a 32bit process running on the same hardware will run slightly faster than the 64bit version because it moves less memory around to perform the same task. Lots of caveats should be added to that, but that's the core principle.

You don't go 64bits for performance, you go there for compatibility or because your system needs >4GB RAM to accomodate everything you want to run. In fact very few apps have a need for that amount of RAM. The only ones that do (offhand) are VMs and huge detailed 3D models.

[jimwg]

Thanks for your suggestions. Looks like I wasn't going anywhere even just to test it out because I can't find a Win-7 64bit virtual image to start with. I thought I had one from Ubuntu (https://sites.google.com/site/easylinux ... ct/oldgrub) but after that new install booted up thje Windows 7 properties screen said it was 32bit, not the 64bit version, so looks like they haven't any and that is that.

Thanks for your sage info!

jim in NYC