HT201541: Update the software on your Mac

Learn about Update the software on your Mac
Minipops
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Why cant i find any support discussing how to switch 32 bit to 64?

I click on "about this mac" and im told that it will display what bit mode i am in, but it doesn't. I saw a youtube video that said to switch from 32 bit to 64 bit you simply press and hold the 6 followed by the 4 during boot up and that switches it. I tried that and my screen sat endlessly on a blue screen for as long as i held the 6 and 4 keys down.

 

Can anyone tell why it is so stupidly difficult to find info on this subject? Even typing into the help on my imac "64 bit" comes up with nothing. Like, seriously?

 

I've just installed mountain lion because i want to purchase Logic Pro X, which will only run in 64 bit mode, but i can't even see what bit mode my system is currently running in.......

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4), Intel i5 2.66ghz Quad core

Posted on Jul 20, 2013 10:19 PM

by sberman,Solvedanswer
sberman sberman
Level 8 (41,017 points)
A:

I believe this is the knowledge base article you are looking for:

 

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4287

Posted on Jul 20, 2013 10:31 PM

Close
Minipops

Q: Why cant i find any support discussing how to switch 32 bit to 64?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by sberman,Solvedanswer

    sberman sberman Jul 20, 2013 10:31 PM in response to Minipops
    Level 8 (41,017 points)
    Jul 20, 2013 10:31 PM in response to Minipops

    I believe this is the knowledge base article you are looking for:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4287

  • by Kappy,Helpful

    Kappy Kappy Jul 20, 2013 10:31 PM in response to Minipops
    Level 10 (271,794 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 20, 2013 10:31 PM in response to Minipops

    You are running in 64-bit mode by default if you are running Mountain Lion. There isn't a thing to see. If you open Activity Monitor and look under the Kind heading in the display. You will see what processes are running 64-bit or 32-bit mode on the computer.

  • by mende1,Helpful

    mende1 mende1 Jul 20, 2013 10:32 PM in response to Minipops
    Level 10 (93,329 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 20, 2013 10:32 PM in response to Minipops

    As you have OS X Mountain Lion, your Mac is running in 64-bit mode, and your iMac has got a 64-bit processor, so you won't have any problem with Logic Pro X.

     

    Since the Lion release, all Macs run by default in 64-bit mode. With Snow Leopard, this was different, because only the Mac Pro and some new Macs were running in 64-bit mode

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jul 20, 2013 10:38 PM in response to sberman
    Level 10 (271,794 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 20, 2013 10:38 PM in response to sberman

    That article no longer pertains to systems that are 64-bit hardware by default and are running Mountain Lion. The given instructions are incorrect as there is no Content pane.

  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman Jul 20, 2013 10:40 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 8 (41,017 points)
    Jul 20, 2013 10:40 PM in response to Kappy

    I understand, thanks.

     

    I did see a sentence in the middle of the article (as well as your post later) that said Mountain Lion uses 64 bit and does not support switching to a 32 bit kernel.

     

    Thanks.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jul 20, 2013 10:50 PM in response to sberman
    Level 10 (271,794 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 20, 2013 10:50 PM in response to sberman

    I think this gets confused by users who don't understand the difference between running in 64-bit mode versus booting the 64-bit kernel versus using a 64-bit processor, etc. I know you understand.