XPS M1330 and Virtualization

Can any owner of M1330 confirm whether it has the option in BIOS to switch virtualization on or not.

 

Hardware virtualization should be on by default if you have a supporting processor. There is no option in the BIOS.

 

Not all vendors do it. Sony for example don't switch it on in BIOS. Dell M1710 has a option in the BIOS to switch it on. HP/Compaq has the option too. If there is no option in the BIOS that most probably means it's not switched on.

 

I'll do a test later when I get a chance and I'll let you know if VT is enabled.

 

Yes, there is an option in the bios to enable or disable virtualisation support. Off by default.

 

Great! That means M1330 is a better option than Sony SZ6, except ofcourse Gigabit. If only...

 

Hrm, I definitely didn't see this option. Which menu is it under?

 

Can i ask, what is hardware virtualization? What does it do? Benefits?
Thanks

 

here is the link to a swf of the whole bios of m1330


http://techiscool.com/flash/M1330bios.swf

 

Instead of emulating everything through software, Intel and AMD have provided processor extensions that allow offloading to hardware.

http://www.intel.com/technology/platform-technology/virtualization/index.htm

 

All of the new laptops have it

 

Well, not any of the T5xxx series.

 

Nope. None of the new shining Sony laptops has it, including SZ6 series.

 

So does it speed up the laptop?

 

Looks like it's under "POST".

 

Only if you use virtualization software. Under virtualization the possibilities are immense. Imagine running any x86 OS safely under your current OS. That software of your not working under vista? No problem. Just install XP in a virtual machine without touching your partition and other such perilious stuff and run your software in it, side by side with your current vista. Want to try the latest Ubuntu without touching your vista installation, run it in a virtual machine. So on and so on...

 

I will give a specific example. You want to downgrade your machine to XP, but not sure whether you'll have all the drivers you need for your current machine. Fire up vmware and install XP in it, and you'll find whether you have everything or not. For that matter, with the "virtualization" option on in the bios, you don't need to give up that shining aero interface but still can use XP almost in the native speed.

 

Attached Pic showing virtualisation option. Bios Version is A02.

 

Yep just checked on mine as well, must've missed it on my first pass through the BIOS. Thanks.

 

So if we want to rub the SZ owners in it we could email them a link to Securable at http://www.grc.com/securable.htm

[Mine says virtualisation is locked off but I assume that would change if I changed the BIOS setting]

 

So i can install linux with vmware with this option and will have full speed, right ? Do i need the linux specific Hardwareformatition to run linux on WmVare.

 

See below from wiki:

Intel VT was officially launched at the Intel Developer Forum Spring 2005. It is available on certain Pentium 4 6x1 and 6x2 models[2], Pentium D 9x0[1], Xeon 3xxx/5xxx/7xxx [2], Core Duo (excluding T2300E) and Core 2 Duo processors (excluding the T5200, T5250, T5300, T5450, T5470, T5500, E4x00, E2xx0).

If you have sufficieny memory, software virtualization is fine although slower.

 

Why bother wasting your time when they'll have to live with the fact they bought an SZ anyway!