Which Ubuntu Architecture Do I Have?
- If you're unsure whether your version of Ubuntu is 32 bit or 64 bit, the easiest way to check is to open a new terminal window, type "file /sbin/init" and hit "Enter." The output will read something similar to: "/sbin/init: ELF 32-bit LSB shared object, Intel 80386, version 1 (SYSV), dynamically linked (uses shared libs), for GNU/Linux 2.6.15, stripped" on a 32-bit system. The specific details will vary depending on your computer and what version of Ubuntu you run. An example for this display for 64-bit system is "/sbin/init: ELF 64-bit LSB shared object, x86_64, version 1 (SYSV), dynamically linked (uses shared libs), for GNU/Linux 2.6.15, stripped." The "/sbin/init" is the file that initializes your operating system; the "file" command displays the file type; if you were to use it on a basic text file, the output would display something like "filename.txt: ASCII English text, with CRLF line terminators."
- Check your edition of Ubuntu by going to "System" > "About Ubuntu" in Ubuntu 10.10 or earlier; with later editions and Ubuntu Netbook, 10.10 use the Unity system, which introduces a launcher menu that allows you to search the system. Click the Ubuntu button in the upper left corner of your screen, and search "About Ubuntu." In both cases, the document will tell you immediately which version of Ubuntu you're running, when it came out and how long your version is supported. For instance, computers running Ubuntu 11.04 will read: "You are using Ubuntu 11.04 - the Natty Narwhal - released in April 2011 and supported until October 2012."
- Ubuntu recommends using 64-bit architecture, so long as your hardware supports it; 32-bit systems have a memory limit of 4GB, and 64-bit systems run more intensive video and audio tasks faster. You can check your system's compatibility with 64-bit systems by opening a new terminal window and entering "grep --color=always -iw lm /proc/cpuinfo". According to the Ubuntu Documentation, if "lm" is among your tags, your system is capable of running 64-bit Ubuntu. "Lm" will show up red. You can run this on a Live CD as well as a system with Ubuntu installed.
- Ubuntu updates every six months, and supports their updates for 18 months for short-term releases; long-term support versions get updates to your desktop for three years. While updating with each new release keeps you abreast of the newest software available for the system, and ensures that your computer is receiving the most recent security updates. Even if you don't update Ubuntu every time a system update comes out, do be sure that the version you run is secure.
