confirming VT-x support on HP nc6400/RM741PA

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bob.blanchett
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confirming VT-x support on HP nc6400/RM741PA

Post by bob.blanchett »

jumping through hoops trying to install win2008 x64 under virtualbox on this machine.
Ubuntu 9.04 Host
64 bit w2008 server guest.

trying to install x64 Win2008 server
I get a STOP 0xc000035a
from winload.exe
about 64-bit apps and the CPU ot being compatible with 64-bit mode.
--
I've run both the 3.08 OSE and the 3.1.4 from the ubuntu or virtualbox.org repositories.
"microsoft windows/windows 2008" VM.
same problem,
all the packages used have been installed via Synaptic, I havent resorted to homebrew stuff at all

the vbox.log for the VM has the error no extensions found.
Intel network adapter and IO APIC are selected and the gui details panel "says" VT-X/AMD-V: enabled!!
C"hecked a few forums and tried suggested config/biossetting check workarounds.

my config is:
HP nc 6400 model RM741PA =T5500 Core 2 Duo processor F0.B BIOS. (from lshw)
motherbaord rev:
product: 30AD
vendor: Hewlett-Packard
version: KBC Version 56.34

I haven't been able to determine the Chipset precisely beyone 945GM family
and is the controller hubs are either of 82801GHM or 82801GBM and what impact this has on effective VT support.
intel website reports that the T5500 is a VT supported 64-bit chip.

confirmed "Virtualization Technology" is set to "enable" in the Bios
the option is available, not greyed and can be enabled and disabled.
cold started system after setting enable on VT setting in bios after laptop battery removal etc.

only thing i've not done is set bios defaults and tried that.

Kernel:
bob@grytpype:~$ uname -a
Linux grytpype 2.6.31-20-generic #58-Ubuntu SMP Fri Mar 12 04:38:19 UTC 2010 x86_64 GNU/Linux

/proc/cpuinfo does NOT however show the vmx kernel flag.

Questions:
1. I need to run 64-bit guests.. have I bought a pup?
(and I thought I did my homework about this nc6400/RM741PA giving VT support, too! bugger!)

2. Am I missing something re kernel configuration?

3. anything vbox config wise I've missed?

4. Is there a problem with BIOS support? should/can/how do I fallback if I have to?

advice/suggestions to this forum and also via email to (anonomice at gmail).. I'm crossposting at virtualbox.org linux host and windows guests forums as well as HP ITRC and ubuntu forums.

ta
Bob
Perryg
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Re: confirming VT-x support on HP nc6400/RM741PA

Post by Perryg »

Bob crossposting is not allowed you other topic will be deleted.

But to answer you problem. Your CPU must have VT-x/AMD-v and hardware virtualization and you bios must have VT-x/AMD-v and hardware virtualization turned on.
VirtualBox requires this for 64 bit guests.
bob.blanchett
Posts: 5
Joined: 22. Mar 2010, 10:56
Primary OS: Ubuntu other
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Guest OSses: w2008 xpsp3

Re: confirming VT-x support on HP nc6400/RM741PA

Post by bob.blanchett »

thanks for advising me about crossposting..
as for the rest well, already knew that as you can read, but cheers all the same.
As I indicated above VT support is provided by the T5500 and VT indicates thats its on in bios.(theres a "vitualization technology" option adjustable in bios.

the extent chipset/IO bridge support is provided or not and how this might impact things intel is unclear on as it Vbox docs.

so

the stop error installing the 64-bit windows guest is puzzling.
the lack of vmx cpu flag is as well.

I've read of allusions to a HP bios bug in the FAQ here (which I couldn't find any firm bug record of alas) on this forum and toggled the bio VT setting and cold started after disconnecting power and laptop battery with no luck

hence my presentation of this mystery to the list

is it a bios bug?
is it a software problem?
is it a misconfiguration?

Karma points for any assistance! :)
Last edited by bob.blanchett on 22. Mar 2010, 16:21, edited 1 time in total.
Perryg
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Re: confirming VT-x support on HP nc6400/RM741PA

Post by Perryg »

Well I feel your pain. I thought I had all the bases covered too on the next to last laptop I bought. Turned out that they had hardware-v locked off in the bios because they (the manufacture) did not want to support it. I suspect that your HP may be in that same boat.
bob.blanchett
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Re: confirming VT-x support on HP nc6400/RM741PA

Post by bob.blanchett »

Perryg wrote:Well I feel your pain. I thought I had all the bases covered too on the next to last laptop I bought. Turned out that they had hardware-v locked off in the bios because they (the manufacture) did not want to support it. I suspect that your HP may be in that same boat.
did you read that somewhere?
If I can track rumours down something concrete i'td give me somethng to take to HP

I want to rule out kernel issues other OS configuration/tunables issues and vbox software misconfigurations before I blame hardware, naturally
fixedwheel
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Re: confirming VT-x support on HP nc6400/RM741PA

Post by fixedwheel »

bob.blanchett wrote: toggled the bio VT setting and cold started after disconnecting power and laptop battery with no luck
additionally, you can try disabeling "trusted execution" together with enabeling vt-x "virtualisation" in the BIOS


boot the vmware vt.iso to verify hardware and BIOS support VT-x => http://communities.vmware.com/docs/DOC-8978
bob.blanchett
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Re: confirming VT-x support on HP nc6400/RM741PA

Post by bob.blanchett »

thanks..

HP's Indian/Robot support told me it wasnt supported. but I pressed on!

im the middle of reading a truly MASSIVE thread from 2006/2007 on the HP BSC.. they realy hammeredHP over releasing VT crippled bios.

they forced HP to release enabling updates for a lot of models including mine I think!
nc6400 has F0.8, F0A and F0.B online

I *may* get functionality from a bios version fallback.. to F0.8 they have a freedos bios package so I can make a bootable update disk...
the option is there on my BIOS F0.B which is available and can be altered but either setting doesnt change the effect.

will post details

edit: this is the thread:(it's a TWO coffee thread!)
http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/for ... Id=1051601
sej7278
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Re: confirming VT-x support on HP nc6400/RM741PA

Post by sej7278 »

i've got an nc6400 with a t5600 cpu, vt-x works fine, but i remember it did take a bios update before they allowed the option to turn it on in the bios.
bob.blanchett
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Re: confirming VT-x support on HP nc6400/RM741PA

Post by bob.blanchett »

Can I ask what fw release you're on?

lshw -C processor will tell you.
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