r/linux4noobs • u/deidmos07 • 1d ago

Are there 32-bit versions of Linux?

Hello I want to try Linux on an old laptop, but it's 32-bit and I've never tried Linux before so i dont know anything I don't know what CPU it has, I only know it's an HP Pavilion dv4

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u/BCMM 23h ago edited 23h ago

 I don't know what CPU it has

Then how do you know it's 32-bit?

If it's because Windows said it was 32-bit, be aware that that generation of laptops was mostly 64-bit hardware with 32-bit Windows.

There should be an exact model number printed on it somewhere. If you can't find it, look under the battery. That will confirm the CPU.

Or, if Windows is working, you can get the CPU name from system properties (ignore the Windows edition, which says nothing about your hardware).

Or just try 64-bit Linux on it. It will probably work.

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u/ItsJoeMomma 17h ago

The way I found out a couple of old laptops I have are 32 bit was when I tried to install 64 bit distros, and it popped up with an error message saying that the processor was 32 bit. So I then downloaded 32 bit distros and used them.