Virtualization

[Xarzu]

Virtual PC does not work without hardware virtualization. If I run Windows Virtual PC and click to “Create Virtual Machine” I get an error. The error message has a link which takes me to where I can download and run the Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool. When I run this tool, I am warned that the hardware-assisted virtualization is not enabled and it give me another link.

This takes me to an intranet page with this warning:

Although OEMs have been shipping hardware virtualization in PCs for three years, hardware virtualization is not available in all PCs—so even if your PC is new, it may not have hardware virtualization.

And this seems to be the case with this machine. After doing the steps go into the BIOS during startup, I did not find any mention in the BIOS settings for selecting the Virtualization Technology.

The computer I am using is a HP COMPAQ DC 7800. What computers have Virtulaization and which ones do not? Is there a list somewhere?

 

[Jovec]

Hardware virtualization is a CPU-specific feature, so list your specific CPU make/model. You might want to look into Virtual Box. IIRC is doesn't require hardware virtualization for 32-bit VMs.

No hardware virtualization required. For many scenarios, VirtualBox does not require the processor features built into newer hardware like Intel VT-x or AMD-V. As opposed to many other virtualization solutions, you can therefore use VirtualBox even on older hardware where these features are not present. The technical details are explained in the section called “Hardware vs. software virtualization”.

 

[DaveSimmons]

VMWare Workstation does not require hardware virtualization either, but it does cost money.

Intel disables hardware virtualization in its cheaper CPUs to make you pay extra for it. If your Compaq has a Celeron CPU now, you might be able to replace that with a compatible socket 775 Core 2 Duo CPU that has the "VT" support from this list:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en...8-3459241.html

Before spending the money I'd suggest a Google search on your model and "hardware virtualization" or similar to make sure that there isn't something in the BIOS design that would keep this from working. This thread says that on a lot of HP / Compaq models the feature can't be enabled even when the CPU does support it:
http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service...47626+1298353433150+28353475&threadId=1192833

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

All the CPUs from this list from the E6550 onwards have VT-x, Intel's virtualization support.

 

[DaveSimmons]

All the CPUs from this list from the E6550 onwards have VT-x, Intel's virtualization support.

Right, but it might still be disabled by the BIOS. I have a Core Solo Mac Mini at work where the CPU supposedly supports it but Apple has it turned off.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

I know. If the BIOS is inaccessible or something, then you still won't have VT-x.

 

[Dahak]

The latest version of Virtual PC now does not require hardware virutalization anymore, it had in the beginning, but they have removed the requirement.

You many just need to download and install it again from
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx