Hardware Assisted Virtualization

[seekermeister]

I started downloading XP Mode and Virtual PC before noticing their tool for determining if a computer is able to run them. When I did run this tool, it said that my computer doesn't have hardware-assisted virtualization and couldn't run Virtual PC.

This leaves two questions...first, what hardware is required to run Virtual PC? Second, will XP Mode work without Virtual PC? Seem odd that they used these features to promote the sale of the Pro version of W7, yet said nothing about hardware requirements until now.

 

[RogerR]

IIRC it is embedded in the processor. I thought all modern AMD and Intel chips supported it.

 

[PolishPaul]

System Requirements for Virtual PC:

• AMD-V or Intel VT hardware virtualization must be supported and enabled

Windows Virtual PC - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There are 2 types of Hypervisors, or methods of virtualization - one runs on software and the other runs on the hardware. See: Hypervisor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Perhaps you simply need to enable it in your BIOS? Looking up AMD 4400+ i see 2 models do and 2 don't have virtualization:
Compare AMD Processors for Desktops: AMD Phenom?, AMD Athlon? FX, AMD Athlon? X2 Dual-Core, AMD Athlon?, and AMD Sempron? Processor

Go in the BIOS and check.

 

[RogerR]

Download and run the Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool

Windows Virtual PC: Configure BIOS

 

[seekermeister]

System Requirements for Virtual PC:

• AMD-V or Intel VT hardware virtualization must be supported and enabled

Windows Virtual PC - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There are 2 types of Hypervisors, or methods of virtualization - one runs on software and the other runs on the hardware. See: Hypervisor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Perhaps you simply need to enable it in your BIOS? Looking up AMD 4400+ i see 2 models do and 2 don't have virtualization:
Compare AMD Processors for Desktops: AMD Phenom?, AMD Athlon? FX, AMD Athlon? X2 Dual-Core, AMD Athlon?, and AMD Sempron? Processor

Go in the BIOS and check.

I haven't dug out the specific specs, but all 4 processors in your link are AM2, which mine is not. It is a socket 939, of which I think that there are 2 versions, mine is the one that runs cooler. But I guess that is a moot point, because I would have to upgrade to make this work.

Will XP Mode work without the Virtual PC or the processor feature?

 

[seekermeister]

Download and run the Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool

Windows Virtual PC: Configure BIOS

Thanks, but as I already said in the original post, I did run the tool and that is the reason for the thread.

 

[PolishPaul]

Seems like you must have one of the procs in the series that doesn't support virtualization. If you choose to upgrade, check the AMD website... well... most internet shops should specify if virtualization is supported anyway...

 

[seekermeister]

The problem with upgrading is that I would have to buy new motherboards, RAM, as well as CPUs, and since I have 2 computers on the network, that would be dual of each, which my budget wouldn't allow for.

The links in your post speaks of software virtualization programs...would any of them work with XP Mode? I may just have to continue dual booting.

 

[PolishPaul]

don't even bother with the software based stuff... If i'm not mistaken, Virtual PC is a requirement for XP Mode... microsoft tools with microsoft toys...

but looking at the AMD site (link above comparing processors) it looks like the 4400+ all have the same socket type.. so... i don't see a reason you'd need a new motherboard... or am i missing something?

Looking at the prices on Newgg.com, for AM2 socket type with virtualization... the price isn't that high:
Newegg.com - Yes, Socket AM2, Yes, Processors - Desktops, CPUs / Processors, Computer Hardware

 

[seekermeister]

No, AM2 requires a socket 940 motherboard, mine are socket 939. All of the AM2 motherboards that I have seen require DDR2 or higher RAM, mine are just DDR400.

 

[PolishPaul]

Doh, i see.. i missed a few in the comparison:
Compare AMD Processors for Desktops: AMD Phenom?, AMD Athlon? FX, AMD Athlon? X2 Dual-Core, AMD Athlon?, and AMD Sempron? Processor

Bummer...

 

[pparks1]

There is a very easy way to work around this limitation. Don't use the Microsoft virtualization tools.

Instead, use either VMWare Player 3.0 (free) or Sun VirtualBox (free). Both of these can run without hardware virtualization. And they run a whole heck of a lot faster and have better support for operating systems not produced by Microsoft.

 

[PolishPaul]

I really shouldn't have said "don't bother with software based"... I was making an assumption that the XP Mode would allow you to do things like game, etc.. which i really don't have a clue on how well it works. I'm just jaded by some old software i used... pparks1 makes a good point. For general computing VMWare is quite awesome.

 

[seekermeister]

I think that I'm just going to stick with my dual boot. The only problem with that is having to reboot on occassion. Most of what I need will work in W7 anyway. Actually, the only thing that comes to mind that won't is an Intel Play microscope that I have, but it won't work in XP x64 either, it has to run on x32.

I good thing about this discussion is that I have learned that I won't have to spend so much to buy a second copy of W7 for my secondary rig, it seems that the differences that I need or want aren't that much less in Home Premiuim.

 

[RogerR]

Instead, use either VMWare Player 3.0 (free) or Sun VirtualBox (free). Both of these can run without hardware virtualization. And they run a whole heck of a lot faster and have better support for operating systems not produced by Microsoft.

I haven't tried VMWare, but I have tried SunVB, which has major issues with USB and crashed my system (BSOD) repeatedly.

Is there a comparo between XPmode and VMWare somewhere? I only have a couple of programs that need XP.

 

[seekermeister]

There are a number of returns on Google for this, but here is something close to home:

http://www.sevenforums.com/virtualization/8505-windows-xp-compatability-mode-vs-vmware.html

 

[RogerR]

Excellent, thanks!

Looks like XPmode will be perfect for me. I only have a couple of 16 bit databases I need to run, no nix boxes or anything graphics hungry (that's what 7 is for).

 

[huisinro]

Our VMLite XP Mode works fine without requiring hardware assisted virtualization:

http://www.vmlite.com

Free download is available