virtualbox.org

My laptop (host) is running Vista Business (32-bit). I need to create a virtual machine running Windows Server 2008 (64-bit). This is possible according to the User Manual which says I need to (my comments are below the instructions):

1. You need a 64-bit processor with hardware virtualization support.
My laptop is a Toshiba Tecra M5 with an Intel T400 CPU. According to Intel's web site (http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=27235) this CPU supports VT-x. When I first started, I discovered that Hardware Virtualization was disabled in the BIOS. I've enabled that and I've also double checked to confirm that it has remained enabled.

2. You must enable hardware virtualization for the particular VM for which you want 64-bit support; software virtualization is not supported for 64-bit VMs.
I've done this for the new VMs I've been creating today after I've created them. In fact, the option is checked by default.

3. If you want to use 64-bit guest support on a 32-bit host operating system, you must also select a 64-bit operating system for the particular VM. Since supporting 64 bits on 32-bit hosts incurs additional overhead, VirtualBox only enables this support upon explicit request.
This is where I seem to have a problem. When I create a new VM, it does not give me 64-bit options. I've tried selecting just "Windows 2008" but when the OS begins to install it tells me, "Attempting to load a 64-bit application, however this CPU is not compatible with 64-bit mode."

On any host, you should enable the I/O APIC for virtual machines that you intend to use in 64-bit mode. This is especially true for 64-bit Windows VMs.
I have checked this, but it doesn't seem to make any difference.

In addition, for 64-bit Windows guests, you should make sure that the VM uses the Intel networking device, since there is no 64-bit driver support for the AMD PCNet card.
I am using an Intel Networking Card

I think my biggest problem is getting VirtualBox to display 64-bit options in the dropdown shown here:

I've tried uninstalling and re-installing VirtualBox since I changed the BIOS settings and the drop-down options didn't change. I'm running the latest version: VirtualBox 3.0.2.

Does anyone have any ideas about why the 64-bit OS options aren't available in the drop-down box? Or anything else I should try?

rickyspears wrote:My laptop (host) is running Vista Business (32-bit). I need to create a virtual machine running Windows Server 2008 (64-bit). This is possible according to the User Manual which says I need to (my comments are below the instructions):

1. You need a 64-bit processor with hardware virtualization support.
My laptop is a Toshiba Tecra M5 with an Intel T2400 CPU. According to Intel's web site (http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=27235) this CPU supports VT-x. When I first started, I discovered that Hardware Virtualization was disabled in the BIOS. I've enabled that and I've also double checked to confirm that it has remained enabled.

................................

Does anyone have any ideas about why the 64-bit OS options aren't available in the drop-down box? Or anything else I should try?

The problem is, the Core Duo T2400 that you have in your notebook is a 32-bit CPU, and is not capable of running 64-bit operating systems (and therefore 64-bit guests in VirtualBox). So, there is nothing you can do short of using another computer.

James - I am SO embarrassed! I didn't even notice the 32-bit instruction set on the specs. Thanks for saving me from wasting even more time!