64-bit or 32-bit Linux on 64-bit but 32-bit EFI VirtualBox host?

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Mac OS X hosts.
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Schmye Bubbula
Posts: 6
Joined: 30. Jan 2019, 00:33

64-bit or 32-bit Linux on 64-bit but 32-bit EFI VirtualBox host?

Post by Schmye Bubbula »

I see from here that the latest version of VirtuaBox that can be hosted under Mac OS X 10.6.8 Snow Leopard is v4.3.40 here.

Regarding Linux Mint as a VirtualBox guest, do I want the 64-bit version of Linux Mint, or the 32-bit version? My mid-2009 17" MacBook Pro (5,2) is 64-bit (Core 2 Duo), but with a 32-bit EFI, I believe.
andyp73
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Primary OS: Mac OS X other
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Re: 64-bit or 32-bit Linux on 64-bit but 32-bit EFI VirtualBox host?

Post by andyp73 »

The EFI implementation used by the MacBook Pro is irrelevant as the virtual guest boots using its own BIOS. Assuming your CPU supports VT-x (can't tell without the specific part number) then you should be able to install either the 64bit or 32bit version of Linux Mint.

-Andy.
My crystal ball is currently broken. If you want assistance you are going to have to give me all of the necessary information.
Please don't ask me to do your homework for you, I have more than enough of my own things to do.
Schmye Bubbula
Posts: 6
Joined: 30. Jan 2019, 00:33

Re: 64-bit or 32-bit Linux on 64-bit but 32-bit EFI VirtualBox host?

Post by Schmye Bubbula »

^ Many thanks! I googled around and found How to check VT-x status on MacBook Pro, and I believe I'm good to go:
Schmye-Bubbulas-Computer:~ schmye$ sysctl -a | grep -o VMX
VMX
Schmye-Bubbulas-Computer:~ schmye$
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