I have been using Ubuntu 64-bit for about 2 years now, & during that I had came across many 32-bit packages that I wanted to run them where no 64-bit version is provided of the same application. Though when ever I tried to install a 32-bit package on my 64-bit Ubuntu, I was always treated with the following error message:

‘package architecture (i386) does not match system (amd64)’

Many times I was able to avoid the above error by using the following command to install the desired package:

sudo dpkg -i –force-architecture pkgname_i386.deb

–force-architecture <== will tell Ubuntu to allow the installation of 32-bit package on the 64-bit version of Ubuntu.

Although the above worked in some cases, it failed in many others due to missing 32-bit libraries. For that I start by installing the ia32-libs using the below command, then after the ia32-libs installed I will try to re-install the 32-bit package. See example below:

sudo apt-get -V install ia32-libs

sudo dpkg -i --force-architecture pkgname_i386.deb

In Ubuntu Natty Narwhal 64-bit, I have noticed that the above is failing for increasing number of 32-bit packages. For these packages I have discovered YeoWorks Ubuntu Solutions which work like magic in converting 32-bit Packages into a 64-bit packages that install with easy on Ubuntu 64-bit. Further YeoWorks for Ubuntu is very easy to install and use script. Below is the instructions on how to install YeoWorks Ubuntu Solution and use it:

1- Download the YeoWorks Ubuntu Solutions installer from http://yeoworks.cz.cc/YeoWorks-Ubuntu-Solutions-Installer.zip

2- Extract YeoWorks-Ubuntu-Solutions-Installer.zip to your desktop

3- Run the following commands to start the YeoWorks Ubuntu Solution installer:

cd ~/Desktop/YeoWorks-Ubuntu-Solutions-Installer

sh yeoworks_ubuntu_solutions_installer.sh

4- Follow the installer instructions to install YeoWorks Ubuntu Solutions.

5- After the installation complete right click your desktop, from the right click menu choose: Scripts => YeoWorks-Ubuntu-Solutions.sh

6- On the screen showing in the below screenshot choose ‘Convert 32-Bit DEB into 64-Bit DEB’ and hit OK

7- Move your 32-bit Ubuntu Package you want to convert to your desktop then type the name of it in the command line diagram that pop up after hitting OK in step 6 as showing below:

8- Now you will find your 64-bit ready package on your desktop. 64_ will be added to the front of your original package name.

9- You can now install the newly created 64 bit package just as you would normally do with any Ubuntu package just by double clicking it.

A video showing these steps can be seen below:

I hope the above instructions help many of you in getting your 32-bit packages that you already used to working on your 64-bit Ubuntu even if no 64-bit package of that application exist. Please note if the software vendor offer a 64-bit version, then you better off obtaining that else then the above procedures should be of a good help.

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