cannot install any Windows 64 bit guests

[linuxsurfer]

I am running Virtualbox 3.0.6 on Ubuntu 9.04 on a Dell Latitude E6500 laptop with hardware vt-x enabled. I have created 3 virtual machines: one for XP 64bit, one for Vista 64bit, and one for Windows 7 64bit. None of the corresponding OSes will install. All of them hang during setup. For instance, with the XP 64bit install, the text mode setup hangs at the screen that says "Setup is starting windows". I have left it for 6 hours and it never proceeded beyond that point. The other OSes hang at similar times during install. I have had no problem installing 32bit OSes so far (I have 32bit XP, Vista and Windows7 machines).

[Sasquatch]

It seems that the 64 bit options aren't passed through to the Guest OS completely. Please recheck all options that are needed for 64 bit Guests. Check the Dell website for an updated BIOS and check that for additional hardware virtualization options.
The easiest test for 64 bit Guests is to download a Linux live CD and boot that in the VM.

[linuxsurfer]

Sasquatch,

I've already enabled all options for 64bit guests. I can install Windows XP 64bit with no problems on the same laptop; I just can't install it in a VM inside of Virtualbox.

[Sasquatch]

I can install 64 bit systems on my AMD FX-60 to without issues, just not inside VB because I don't have the hardware requirements for hardware virtualization, which is needed to run 64 bit Guests. See the VirtualBox FAQ and User Manual for that.

[linuxsurfer]

Sasquatch,

As I mentioned in the original post, I already have hardware virtualization enabled. Is anybody else having this issue? I can't figure out why the setup just hangs. No error message: I used to get hardware virt errors until I enabled it in the BIOS.

[Sasquatch]

That's why I suggested the BIOS update. It might not be stable in your current BIOS. Does a 64 bit Linux live CD work? Tried an older version of VB, like 3.0.4 or 2.2.4?

[linuxsurfer]

Ok, the Ubuntu 9.04 64bit Live CD worked with no problems. I did 'uname -a' to verify that I was running the 64bit version. I can't get into Dell's support site...keep getting a 500 error after I choose Dell Latitude 6500. I'll keep trying to find a BIOS update, but it's just weird that the XP 64bit version works fine on the COMPUTER, but not under Virtualbox.

[Sasquatch]

Site works just fine on my system. Here's the BIOS link: http://support.dell.com/support/downloa ... eid=333178

[linuxsurfer]

Actually, your suggestion to go back a version seemed to work. I had the same problem on 3.0.4, so I went to 2.2.4 and the 64bit guests work fine now. Thanks!

[k-pax]

I had the same problem. Though I use lenovo t61 (intel core 2 duo CPU T9300).
The only thing that helped me was to install the older version of VirtualBox - 2.2.4.

[Unaphiliated]

I have a 18 month old Lenovo 8811 with Windows 7, 64 bit installed and VBox 3.0.6, and I can run 64 bit guests. beside it, I have a brand new lenovo 6239 with Windows 7, 64 bit, and the same VBox 3.0.6. The newer machine doesn't support 64 bit guests, it leaves the settings greyed out. I've checked BIOS settings, and I've installed the latest BIOS upgrade from Lenovo. Any ideas?

[Sasquatch]

I have a 18 month old Lenovo 8811 with Windows 7, 64 bit installed and VBox 3.0.6, and I can run 64 bit guests. beside it, I have a brand new lenovo 6239 with Windows 7, 64 bit, and the same VBox 3.0.6. The newer machine doesn't support 64 bit guests, it leaves the settings greyed out. I've checked BIOS settings, and I've installed the latest BIOS upgrade from Lenovo. Any ideas?

Are you sure you have VT-x/AMD-v and that the CPU supports it? Your other 3.0.6 system might just be lucky and not hit by the 64 bit Guest bug that currently exist. Try 3.0.4 and see if you get 64 bit options, else try 2.2.4.