Need to host a 64-bit virtual machine on a 64-bit PER900

Question

....But when trying to start the virtual machine, before installing the OS, I'm told that "This CPU is VT capabale, but VT is not enabled (Check your BIOS)".......Is it simply a matter of rebooting the production server and enabling a setting in the BIOS to allow me to install a 64-bit Virtual machine on this host?

Thanks in advance

Intel

Intel CPUs require EM64T and VT support in the chip and in the BIOS.

Intel EM64T CPUs do not have segmentation support in long mode. If the Intel EM64T CPU is VT-capable, it comes with hardware virtualization support (Intel's Virtualization Technology). This hardware virtualization support allows Workstation and VMware Server to work around the lack of segmentation, making it possible to run 64-bit guest operating systems on Intel EM64T VT-capable CPUs.

Notes:

(1) Firmware/BIOS support is required to enable Intel Virtualization Technology. Some systems (particularly laptops) do not have the necessary firmware/BIOS support to enable Intel Virtualization Technology, and cannot run 64-bit guest operating systems.

(2) In multi-processor systems, all processors must support compatible VT implementations. At a minimum, all processors must implement the same VMCS revision ID. In multi-processor systems with mixed processor steppings, 64-bit guest operating systems may not be supported.

Note: 64 bit guests are not supported for ESX versions 2.5.x and earlier.

Many servers that include CPUs with VT support might ship with VT disabled by default, and VT must be enabled manually. If your CPUs support VT but
you do not see this option in the BIOS, contact your vendor to request a BIOS version that lets you enable VT support.

To ensure your processors support VT, please reference the following link
VT should be listed under 'Other Intel Technologies' if it is a feature of the CPU.

Dev Mgr · Answer

Usually with ESX (you didn't mention which hypervisor you're using), you can just enable it and then power up the VM. I don't know about the Xen kernel, Microsoft's Hyper-V or other hypervisors.

ambitbio · Answer

I'm using VMWare Server 1.0.  I've installed it on the 64-bit Windows server and need to now install the 64-bit OS on this new virtual machine.

Dev Mgr · Answer

You can try it. Reboot the server, go into the bios, look for the processor and go into the submenu. In there there's an option to enable virtualization technology.

ambitbio · Answer

Right there under 'CPU Information' in the BIOS is the option to enable/disable virtualization.  I enabled it and rebooted.  After everything initialized, the 'Ctrl/Alt/Delete' screen came up and the bluescreened!  Rebooted again, same thing.....The error read something about vmx86, so now I disabled it again and am rebooting....any ideas?

Dev Mgr · Answer

With it disabled again, try last known good or safe mode. Last known good should restore the registry and core OS files if they were changed since the last successful reboot. Safe mode loads the OS with the bare minimum requirements. If safe mode works, disable any VMware services and try booting again. If this works, uninstall VMware server and reinstall after enabling VT.

Edit: also disable auto reboot on errors so you get a chance to read why it is bluescreening if it were to happen again.

Message Edited by Dev Mgr on 10-08-2008 09:52 AM

PowerEdge Hardware General

Need to host a 64-bit virtual machine on a 64-bit PER900

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