[gentoo-user] amd64: installing/running x86...

[gentoo-user] amd64: installing/running x86...

[Jarry]

Hi,

I have an Athlon64-based computer, with gentoo/amd64 installed.
How can I install/use x86 software packages, if there is no amd64?

For example, I would like to install sxid and spamass-milter,
but there is no amd64-version of sxid, and only ~amd64 version
of spamass-milter. Is there any way to install and use x86
versions?

Jarry
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gentoo-user@gentoo.org mailing list

Re: [gentoo-user] amd64: installing/running x86...

[Bo Ørsted Andresen]

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On Saturday 24 June 2006 20:11, Jarry wrote:
> I have an Athlon64-based computer, with gentoo/amd64 installed.
> How can I install/use x86 software packages, if there is no amd64?

The keyword (amd64, ~amd64, x86...) specifies on which platforms it was tested
and whether it's stable or not. The package does not change by the addition of
a keyword.

> For example, I would like to install sxid and spamass-milter,
> but there is no amd64-version of sxid, and only ~amd64 version
> of spamass-milter. Is there any way to install and use x86
> versions?

The ~amd64 keyword just means it is not stable. The missing (~)amd64 keyword
means it has not been at all tested on amd64 platform. It may work and you may
test it but success is obviously not guaranteed. This is covered by the
handbook [1].

To test a package that has the ~amd64 keyword do this:

# echo "$category/$name ~amd64" >> /etc/portage/package.keywords

To test a package that misses any amd64 keywords you may do this:

# echo "$category/$name -* ~*" >> /etc/portage/package.keywords

This is of course your own responsibility. If it works on amd64 but has no 
(~)amd64 keyword you should file a bug (if it hasn't already been done) 
requesting the addition of the ~amd64 keyword.

[1]http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/handbook-x86.xml?part=2&chap=1#doc_chap4

-- 
Bo Andresen

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