64bit virtulization

Hey guys,
I noticed that the BIOS on my alienware m17x does have support for hardware virtulization, but when using virtualbox and vmware workstation, i get an error that 64bit virtulization is enabled but not running. It also says to make sure this is enabled in the BIOS, which i figure ive done. Im not too sure what im doing wrong and i cant find any answers on the net.

 

This is from the Virtual Box site ( https://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?t=8669):

"Q: I run a 64 bit Host OS, which version do I need?
A: You need the same kind program build as your Host OS. If you run for example Vista 64 bit, you need the 64 bit build of VirtualBox. If you run a 32 bit OS on your 64 bit CPU, you cannot use the 64 bit build. If you have an Intel CPU and run a 64 bit Host, pick the AMD64 package.
Also note that 64bit guests are not currently supported on MacOS.
Since 2.2.0, both builds are in the same installer for Windows Hosts, so you don't have to guess which build you need.

The reason you need to pick the AMD64 package, despite you having an Intel CPU, is that Intel has bought a license from AMD to be able to get the same 64 bit extensions in their CPU. AMD was the first one with 64 bit extensions in the CPU, and for compatibility Intel uses that now too. Therefor, all 64 bit packages you might need, are called AMD64.
Intel did have it's own 64 bit implementation, but was quickly dropped after obtaining a license from AMD. This is found in Intel's Itanium processors, codenamed IA64.

A common misconception about 64bit hardware: Having 64bit hardware/cpu does NOT mean you have VT-X/AMD-V as well, in other words: yes you can run a 64bit OS on 64bit hardware as a HOST, but a 64bit GUEST NEEDS VT-X/AMD-V to be active and enabled."

Q: Does VB support 64 bit guests?
A: Support for 64 bit guests was introduced at version 2.0.0. If you wish to create 64 bit guests then we recommend that you upgrade to the latest version. Note that VirtualBox also supports 64-bit guest operating systems, under the following conditions:
You need a 64-bit processor with hardware virtualization support (see User Manual chapter 1.2, Software vs. hardware virtualization (VT-x and AMD-V), page 10) and a 64-bit host operating system.
NOTE: Since version 2.1.0, you can run 64 bit Guests while running a 32 bit Host. The prior requirement for Operating System is only for version 2.0.x. You still need the proper hardware.
You must enable hardware virtualization through your BIOS; software virtualization is not supported for 64-bit VMs.
Note: some HP BIOSES have a glitch, When You ENABLE VT-X/AMD-V, You DISABLE it, so do try both ways.

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks for the info Hokum, i guess I'm using the 64bit virtual box as both 32 and 64 bit installers are in the same package.
The bit i don't understand is does the alienware m17x have VT-X/AMD-V and how do you enable it.

*UPDATE* I just tried installing windows 8 64bit in virtual box and the error didn't come up. I'm pretty confused but hopefully the problem is sorted, will post back after the install has finished.

 

I will try installing a 64-bit Linux distro on mine using Virtual Box and see how it goes (I bought this thing for work too!) and if it needs some tweaking. Heck, you can install a 64-bit guest on a 32-bit host if you have the right set-up...