Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

64-Bit Snow Leopard

jayducharme

jayducharme

macrumors 601
Original poster
Jun 22, 2006
4,778
6,950
The thick of it
I tried that trick of holding down the 6 and 4 keys when I booted my MacPro. I'm now running in 64-bit mode. And even when I restart, it stays in that mode. (After initially upgrading to SL, I was in 32-bit mode.)

Things do seem "snappier" now. Logic opens considerably faster. And so far no major crashes. I'm keeping my fingers crossed....
 
Mine never stayed in 64-bit mode, but all my apps were a little choppier than with the 32bit kernel :/
 
Im not sure if this is the only way, but in activity kernal task is only listed as Intel, while if the app is running in 64bit then it says so.
 

Attachments

  • Screen shot 2009-08-29 at 19.49.58.png
    Screen shot 2009-08-29 at 19.49.58.png
    17.1 KB · Views: 207
You can see what mode you're in using System Profiler. Second to last line down there...
 

Attachments

  • Screen shot 2009-08-29 at 1.51.06 PM.png
    Screen shot 2009-08-29 at 1.51.06 PM.png
    50.8 KB · Views: 194
If you go to system profiler, scroll down and highlight Software. It will tel you if your in 64bit.

screenshot20090829at195.png
 
Stridemat's suggestion does appear to be valid. I booted my MacBook Air in 64-bit mode and now the Activity Monitor is full of items with "Intel (64 bit)" under Kind. On my Mac mini (not booted in 64-bit mode), there are no "Intel (64 bit)" items listed.

But now I also look in System Profiler > Software and it says "No" under "64-bit Kernel and Extensions". Weird...

I guess I was hoping for the About This Mac dialog box to say "64 bit" somewhere.
 
If you go to About This Mac > More Info and click on Software, you'll see

64-bit Kernel and Extensions

If it says Yes, you're in 64 bit mode. Don't confuse that reading with the one in Extensions, which always says

64-Bit (Intel): Yes

That's where I got confused when I rebooted. SL does default to 32 bit mode when you restart unless you hold down the 6 and 4 keys all over again.
 
open terminal and do "uname -a". If the line of stuff you get back ends with "i386", you're in 32 bit mode. If it ends with "x86_64", you're in 64 bit mode. There's almost no other noticable differences.
 
mgamber said:
open terminal and do "uname -a". If the line of stuff you get back ends with "i386", you're in 32 bit mode. If it ends with "x86_64", you're in 64 bit mode. There's almost no other noticable differences.
Click to expand...

When I do that I get he i386 extension, yet when I do an Activity Monitor it shows my programs in 64.

mgamber said:
You can see what mode you're in using System Profiler. Second to last line down there...
Click to expand...

If you want 64 are you looking for it to say yes or no?
 
Are you suggesting I have to hold 6 and 4 everytime I reboot for the next few years? How long do you hold the keys?

I have a Mac Mini 2.2GHz with the 9400.
 
Sean Dempsey said:
What does a 64-bit Kernal and Extensions matter?
Click to expand...

That it can access more memory.

It also means stuff can break, such as 3rd party drivers and the like. For example, I use a USB to DVI adapter. In 32 bit mode I have three working monitors. In 64 bit mode I have two working monitors. With 4GB of RAM, I gain nothing in 64 bit mode and lose a monitor so...uh...screw it.
 
So people with 2-4 gigs of RAM in their imacs and macbooks are panicking about not being in 64 bit mode and accessing 32 gigs of RAM?
 
Sean Dempsey said:
So people with 2-4 gigs of RAM in their imacs and macbooks are panicking about not being in 64 bit mode and accessing 32 gigs of RAM?
Click to expand...

Yes, basically. It's a case of "I want it ALL even if it doesn't matter!"

There's no reason for people to care if their kernel is booting into 64 bit mode unless they're developers working on kernel extensions who want to test 64 bit kernel compatibility.

Both kernels can access as much RAM as you can put in any mac, and both kernels allow you to run 32 bit or 64 bit applications.
 
gaz617 said:
I'm running a late 2007 macbook (2ghz core 2 duo, 2gb ram) can I get 64-bit?
Click to expand...

I've read several places that the Macbook doesn't do it. Beats me, I don't have one. Hold down "6" and "4" and boot it and see for yourself.
 
Can't wait for someone to figure out how to keep it on 64 all the time. That being said, I never reboot, so no biggy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back