[solved] 64bit on IBM ThikPad t40 type 2374 possible? -> NO!

[Onsemeliot]

Hi together,

I have just revived an old IBM ThinkPad T40 with the maximum RAM capacity of 2 GB and a Intel Pentium M processor with 2 GHz installed. Should I be able to run a 64 bit system there? I found out that I can't boot from USB even if it is listed as an available drive in the BIOS. I only ever can use my DVD drive for installation. I was able to install Debain Stretch 32 bit from a DVD I still had lying around and upgraded it to Debian Buster but when I tried a 32 bit Trisquel disc it complained that the kernel would need the PAE extension which my hardware doesn't seem to have. From what I could gather PAE would only be useful if I had more than 3 GB of RAM, which isn't even possible. But over all 64 bit seems to be the best option anyway.

Unfortunately so far I wasn't able to find any information if my processor should be able to run a 64 bit sytem. Can anyone of you help me finding out if it was sensible to burn an other DVD? (I don't want to waste an other blank.)

[arochester]

https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001121.htm

if the computer has an older Pentium M, you may be able to use 'forcepae' on the kernel command line. https://www.circuidipity.com/pentium-m-pae/

[p.H]

Should I be able to run a 64 bit system there?

No, the Pentium M is a 32-bit only processor.
Note that any 64-bit x86 processor would support PAE when running in 32-bit mode.

I found out that I can't boot from USB even if it is listed as an available drive in the BIOS.

Did you prepare the USB drive properly for BIOS boot ? Did you select the USB drive in the boot menu (F12) ?

From what I could gather PAE would only be useful if I had more than 3 GB of RAM

No, PAE support is also required to enable the XD/NX bit (data execution prevention).

[Onsemeliot]

The "forcepae" flag during installation solved the issue. Unfortunately I really can't use 64 bit with this hardware. But I guess it will be fine.

Thank you for the pointers.