Thanks for reporting. The 64-bit version Ubuntu generally supports running 32-bit programs. There are, however, two notable "exceptions" to this: installing .deb packages and using a driver.
In your case, you tried to install a .deb package (it's like an MSI package on the Microsoft Windows operating system). In Debian and Ubuntu, .deb packages are strictly tied to the architecture of the system they are installed on; thus, Ubuntu correctly told you that the architecture was wrong. I think this limitation exists mainly to prevent packages containing kernel-related stuff or drivers to be installed on the wrong architectures. I have taken a quick look to the package and to its purpose: I think it contains a driver required to operate a Swedish smart card or token for online banking. In this case, the architecture mismatch actually saved you from installing a driver not apt for the kernel you are using: since you are using a 64-bit kernel, you should use a 64-bit driver. Another search led me to this page: <http://ubuntu.se/threads/8631-Handelsbanken-inloggning-dosa-med-sladd-i-Ubuntu-9-10-64-bit?p=39517#post39517> (in Swedish) There you will find a step-by-step guide to install your card reader (it is for Ubuntu 9.10/10.10 but I think it should work even for Ubuntu 11.10); follow it, just make sure to install OpenJDK instead of Sun Java (since Sun Java is not distributed anymore). This kind of problem should be addressed directly by Handelsbanken (they are responsible for the security software they provide, not Ubuntu); unfortunately, other users have tried contacting them directly and they replied they won't officially support 64-bit Ubuntu versions (see <http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=948323&page=2>), so I'm afraid you shall stick to the workaround I linked earlier or check the website of the card reader/token manufacturer for 64-bit drivers. As this is not strictly an Ubuntu bug, I'm marking this report as closed. Feel free to report any new bugs you may find. ** Summary changed: - I cannot install this 32-bit program on my 64-bit computer + Unable to install Handelsbanken driver on a 64-bit computer ** Package changed: software-center (Ubuntu) => ubuntu ** Changed in: ubuntu Status: New => Invalid -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/896945 Title: Unable to install Handelsbanken driver on a 64-bit computer To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/896945/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs
