I read here that :-
stupid q: how to determine version 64-bit or 32-bit? - Page 2
If i get a output for the following , then my processor supports 64-bit.
cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep lm
I do get a output
q:~> cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep lm
flags : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe lm constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts aperfmperf pni dtes64 monitor ds_cpl est tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm lahf_lm dts
flags : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe lm constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts aperfmperf pni dtes64 monitor ds_cpl est tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm lahf_lm dts
Also my smolt page is here:-
Show Box
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Unless you are doing something where 64 bit makes a lot of difference, it probably isn’t worth reinstalling. However, the next time you are ready to install a new version, try the 64 bit. In the meantime, you might want to get a 64 bit live CD, and test that all runs well in 64 bits. It probably does, but that’s always worth checking.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.<–Will follow this advice
something where 64 bit makes a lot of difference<==Can you tell me a few case ?
Also is my CPU as well as motherboard really 64 bit capable ?
If you are running software that uses a lot of memory (for that one application), then 64bit will make a difference. If you are a typical user, then you probably don’t have such an application.
As for the hardware - I’m leave that for somebody with more expertise in interpreting the output you provided. However, try “less /proc/cpuinfo” - there is probably info there that directly identifies the processor.
Yes you have a 64-bit capable CPU.
@all-thanks for the replies
less /proc/cpuinfo output is :-
processor : 0
vendor_id : GenuineIntel
cpu family : 6
model : 23
model name : Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5200 @ 2.50GHz
stepping : 6
cpu MHz : 2500.000
cache size : 2048 KB
physical id : 0
siblings : 2
core id : 0
cpu cores : 2
apicid : 0
initial apicid : 0
fdiv_bug : no
hlt_bug : no
f00f_bug : no
coma_bug : no
fpu : yes
fpu_exception : yes
cpuid level : 10
wp : yes
flags : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe lm constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts aperfmperf pni dtes64 monitor ds_cpl est tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm lahf_lm dts
bogomips : 4986.00
clflush size : 64
cache_alignment : 64
address sizes : 36 bits physical, 48 bits virtual
power management:
processor : 1
vendor_id : GenuineIntel
cpu family : 6
model : 23
model name : Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5200 @ 2.50GHz
stepping : 6
cpu MHz : 2500.000
cache size : 2048 KB
physical id : 0
siblings : 2
core id : 1
cpu cores : 2
apicid : 1
initial apicid : 1
fdiv_bug : no
hlt_bug : no
f00f_bug : no
coma_bug : no
fpu : yes
fpu_exception : yes
cpuid level : 10
wp : yes
flags : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe lm constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts aperfmperf pni dtes64 monitor ds_cpl est tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm lahf_lm dts
bogomips : 4986.44
clflush size : 64
cache_alignment : 64
address sizes : 36 bits physical, 48 bits virtual
power management:
If you are running software that uses a lot of memory (for that one application), then 64bit will make a difference. If you are a typical user, then you probably don’t have such an application.
Luckily no process uses a lot of memory 
Think i should try 64 bit live cd like you( nrickert) have suggested when 11.5 or 12 comes out,so that i ensure that both my cpu and motherboard work
You have a Pentium E5200. If you google that, you will find out more about it, including that it is 64 bit.
Yes, for 11.5 (or whatever the next version is), I would suggest trying the live 64 bit CD. That will allow you to be sure that other components (network cards, etc) all have 64 bit compatible drivers available. I doubt that you will have a problem, but it never hurts to test.
Or you could look at the lm flag in his cpuinfo.
If his machine works with out of the box drivers then there is no difference because all kernel drivers are fully open sourced and compiled vs 64 (naturally).
Check the md5 sum of the 32 bit driver and the 64 bit driver. They don’t agree, so the drivers are different.
A few years back, I installed opensuse 10.1 from the retail DVD. It installed as 64 bit. All the drivers were there, and they all “worked”. The trouble is, that I couldn’t even ping the router on my network. I reinstalled as 32 bit and it worked fine.
Right now, I am having problems with the system freezing on one laptop; see System freeze and possible diagnosis
The freezing doesn’t occur when booted from a 32 bit live CD. So I am thinking of reinstalling 32 bit, to see if the system is more stable that way.
Yes, it can make a difference. Most of the time, you won’t run into these problems. But they can happen and it can be frustrating when it does happen. The easiest path for the OP is to continue with 32 bit, since that has always worked. I was trying to indicate a path where he can do some preliminary testing before moving to 64 bit.
no/yes/maybe/later
yes - if there’s a reason that a 64bit install would benefit you then yes but the cost to that benefit must exceed the cost of the switch and any issues that arise
no - you just upgrade to 11.4 and I assume it works fine so why risk the upgrade
maybe - if you want and have the time, it’s you decision. But I would suggest you do a new install in a separate partition so that if there’s problems you have a fall back
latter - 64bit is the future and it works fine for me and many others so when it’ time for 11.5 (or 12.0) then give it a go