Problem installing 64-bit OS on VM with Windows 7 32-bit as host

Hello

Not sure if this is the right forum for this, but here goes anyway.

I am running Windows 7 ultimate and have installed Oracle VM VirtualBox ver. 4.1.8 with extension pack. When I run VM-VB I am not given the option to select in the OS type for Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit. The option given is only for the 32-bit Windows Server 2008. When I try to install Server 2008 R2 the installation process crashes with the error the host machine cannot support 64-bit.

Any advice how I can install Windows 2008 R2 64-bit as a VM on a Windows 7 32-bit host??

Thanks in advance.

Hi there
you can normally install a 64 bit VM on a 32 Bit Host -- I had W7 X-64 up and running on an XP Host.

What you MUST have to run a 64 bit GUEST VM is that the CPU must support the Intel VT technology and it must be ENABLED in the BIOS. (Equivalent for AMD although I'm not sure of what they call it).

Note also that since the HOST is a 32 bit system it's max RAM is 4GB so your 64 BIT GUEST won't be able to have more than (4GB - HOST RAM) amount of RAM allocated to it -- shouldn't matter too much -- in my XP testing days I ran W7 x-64 VM's with 1 GB RAM on a 4GB XP Host.

For vmware have a read of this

How to Install 64 Bit Guest OS on 32 Bit VMware Workstation

VBOX has similar constarints.

However IF your BIOS is OK and most modern Bioses are -- you shouldn't have any problems running X-64 VM's on 32 bit hosts.

Cheers
jimbo

I checked the BIOS no reference to VT in there.

I then checked the CPU using an intel identity utility see attachment.



Any further suggestions?

Thanks

I checked the BIOS no reference to VT in there.

Click to expand...

It's the Intel® Virtualization Technology

If you have the Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E4300 then it does not have Intel® Virtualization Technology. Intel® Core

So your out of luck sorry just like me (E5200).

Duzzy said:

...So your out of luck sorry just like me (E5200)...

Click to expand...

Sadly, "my" T2300 does support visualization, but the BIOs does not.

::esters boss for a new laptop:::

UsernameIssues said:

Duzzy said:

...So your out of luck sorry just like me (E5200)...

Click to expand...

Sadly, "my" T2300 does support visualization, but the BIOs does not.

::esters boss for a new laptop:::

Click to expand...

I guess at least I could upgrade my cpu in my desktop, if I could find a cheap socket 775, a bit harder for a laptop motherboard.

Duzzy said:

... a bit harder for a laptop motherboard.

Click to expand...

Especially since I don't own this laptop or "my" desktop

Just waiting to see what comes my way next.

I think I may have found a way around it. I have managed to find a 32-bit version of Windows Server 2008 on the microsoft download site. I am just downloading the iso file as I speak. Hopefully this will work.

Hi there
running a 32 bit VM is never a problemon any HOST OS -- even Windows 7 STARTER !!! -- old Pentium IV (and III) laptops can run these also quite happily on an XP Host !!..

If you NEED to run a 64 bit Guest on a 32 bit host then unfortunately there's no way round the VT feature (Or AMD equivalent for non INTEL processors).

Cheers
jimbo