Hold down 6 and 4?

[jshelton]

An employee at the Apple Store told me to hold down the 6 and 4 when I boot up with Snow Leopard. He said otherwise it would still be 32 bit.

Is this true? Forgive my ignorance, but I know zero about bits and cores and all that.

 

[r.j.s]

Yes, if you want to run 64-bit kernel. Just let it boot normally, and you'll be fine.

 

[Some Guy 555]

By default Snow Leopard will boot with a 32 bit kernal, however that has no effect on running 64 bit applications.

To boot into the 64 bit kernal hold down "6" and "4" keys at start up until you see the apple logo.

You can permanently set Snow Leopard to boot into 64 bit if you want, however I really don't want to mention the method to do that, as it involves editing a system file and adding a string of text to tell it to go into 64 bit.

If you do want to go that route just google it. Also if you ARE in the 64 bit kernal you can boot into 32 bit by holding down "3" and "2".

 

[jshelton]

Wow. I love it here.

Thanks guys.

 

[dejo]

Forgive my ignorance, but I know zero about bits and cores and all that.

In that case, don't even worry about it! It's only for those people that truly need it.

 

[jshelton]

In that case, don't even worry about it! It's only for those people that truly need it.

Will do

 

[ert3]

I would love to try this to see if its true but to be honest those key strokes sound like a prank

 

[r.j.s]

I would love to try this to see if its true but to be honest those key strokes sound like a prank

It's not a prank, 6 + 4 on boot starts a 64-bit kernel if the default is 32, 3 + 2 starts a 32-bit kernel if the default is 64.

 

[mperkins37]

Does it matter which one you use?
Does it have to be 6 4 on the ones above the alphabet, or can you use the num pad?

 

[SilentCrs]

There's no point in booting the 64-bit kernel at this time. Very little programs would take advantage of it.

 

[maflynn]

Wow. I love it here.

Thanks guys.

Keep in mind when you boot up the 64bit kernel, it will not load any drivers that are only 32bit and some programs will not work with a 64bit kernel.

There was a reason why apple didn't make it a default, and that's because not everyone is ready for full 64bit OSX yet

 

[Wie Gehts]

There was a reason why apple didn't make it a default, and that's because not everyone is ready for full 64bit OSX yet

..and when that time comes it will. so no worries i guess

 

[Bostonaholic]

I would love to try this to see if its true but to be honest those key strokes sound like a prank

I'm with you. I read the OP and immediately disregarded it as a joke. I can't believe this is how to boot into 64/32.

 

[rdowns]

I boot mine holding down the 6 & 9 keys. Most pleasurable computing experience ever.