[syslinux] 32bit OS on 64bit architectures

Juerg Oehler
Wed, 29 Mar 2017 15:18:53 -0000

hi

i was creating a boot stick for BIOS years ago, which still is working -
of course. need just update kernels.

i now need to set up new linux laptops. as i do not want to run into
troubles i do intend to create a new stick for UEFI. do not mix
BIOS/UEFI on one device. once again nothing fancy. prompt and say will
do. was reading all available text about best solution.

i so prepared a stick with GPT and fat32 partition with all EFI folders
proposed by <www.syslinux.org/archives/2015-May/023469.html>. anything
works fine for 64bit kernels on 64bit architecture system.

i'll not run java nor oracle blow ware. kernels are well performing with
less than 1gB RAM. X64 systems should be able to run 32bit kernels as
well. i tried it. show up finding kernel and initrd with ok .. and
crashes thereafter.

questions:
- should it be possible to boot a 32bit kernel on X64 systems?
- if yes - can it be done using syslinux UEFI as already setup?
- i looked for available information - what did i miss?

juerg, call me george