Hyper-V on Dell XPS12

Does this article help?

http://blog.markedup.com/2013/07/install-run-windows-8-1-preview-hyper-v/ 

Check your specific CPU model to make sure it supports SLAT and the other elements required for Hyper-V

blogs.msdn.com/.../hyper-v-on-client-windows-8-pro.aspx

Hi lato37,

In addition to what ejn63 has said, I would like to know the edition of Windows 8 installed in your XPS 12. Hyper-V is supported only on Windows 8 Pro or Windows 8 Enterprise.

No, because I have to enable it in my BIOS settings but I can't figure out how. I have virtualization enabled, but the settings that MSDN says to enable aren't there. So Hyper-V isn't even in my windows features panel.

See here for BIOS settings

http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/sqldbatips/archive/2008/07/02/enabling-hyper-v-on-dell-xps-laptop.aspx 

In addition, there are some hardware features that Hyper-V does not utilize and enabling them will prevent Hyper-V from loading. Specifically, please be sure that:                                                     

• Intel VT-d is disabled
• Trusted Execution is disabled

If either of these options is enabled, Hyper-V won’t launch and errors will be posted to the Event Log.

I5-3317U

I'm pretty sure it had Windows 8 Pro before I downloaded the 8.1 Preview.

I don't know; how do I find out?

Boot into BIOS (F2) and the version and manufacturers name will be displayed.

In addition to see if your CPU supports SLAT go here

mywindows8.org/check-if-cpu-supports-slat

What BIOS version are you running, and who's the manufacturer. Different manufacturers sometimes have their own descriptions of settings

And I don't remember seeing that "POST-Behavior" option or CPU XD Support in my boot up settings.

A04 -- XPS 12 9Q23 -- Intel Core i5-3427U CPU

Also, that coreinfo.exe thing in the article doesn't work. Says there's no file with that name.

Update your BIOS here www.dell.com/.../xps-12-l221x 

Download Coreinfo here http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/sysinternals/cc835722.aspx 

Once you've updated the BIOS, see if those settings mentioned earlier are now there....if not post back with the BIOS manufacturer.

If Coreinfo reveals that your CPU is not SLAT compatible then game over.

Ok...good news regarding SLAT. The BIOS manufacturers name should be written along the top of the BIOS screen. Mine is Pheonix for example.

Here's some more info on BIOS settings

2. Hardware Virtualization Assists

Enable in the system BIOS:

- Intel VT-x (initially codenamed Vanderpool)

- AMD AMD-V (also called SVM and initially codename Pacifica)

3. Hardware Data Execution Prevention

Enable in the system BIOS:

- Intel Execute Disable (XD)

- AMD No Execute (NX).

4. SLAT hardware - required for using RemoteFX, highly recommended for traditional server virtualization

- Intel Extended Page Tables (EPT).

- AMD Nested Page Tables (NPT) or Rapid Virtualization Indexing (RVI).

Hyper-V :  Disable in the BIOS

            - Intel VT-d

            - Trusted Execution

See this also http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/extremewindows/archive/2013/06/20/hyper-v-support-in-windows-8.aspx 

Virtualization has been enabled for as long as I can remember, but okay, I will try that.

Hmmmm....when you enabled Virtualization in BIOS...did you cold boot the laptop? Shut down, remove battery and adapter and hold power button for about 30 seconds. Replace battery and adapter and reboot to BIOS. Now check for missing settings.