[UbuntuGnome] My computer CPU is 64-bit, but Ubantu says its i686 and wont install 64-bit version

hi,

Background:
i'm running a virtual box (Live Linux USB Creator) on my Windows 7 laptop. (via a USB stick).
I installed Ubantu 14.04 Gnome onto the USB stick (because this is a supported version of the 'Live Linux' software).
My Laptop CPU is an intel 64-bit CPU and running windows 7 (64-bit).

BUT:
upon running the Virtual Ubantu on my laptop, it wont boot up because it says I have i686 (32-bit) and i need to have x86_64 (64-bit).


I dont understand how ubantu is saying my CPU is 32 bit and not 64bit.

can anyone shed some light ?