Hardware virtualization disabled in BIOS?

I would like to know if any of you who own a NP5165/W150HRM or NP5160/W150HN) have been successful in enabling hardware virtualization. As you know this is neccessary in order to make a virtualmachine of a 64-bit OS. Eg. Ubuntu--->Win7.

Apparently this feature is preactivated in BIOS for all other Clevo models but it seems to be deactivated in those particular models.

 

Do you have an i7-2630QM? It doesn't support VT-d. Not sure if that is required to enable the virtualization option in the BIOS or not though.

 

Using a 2720qm proc

 

All of the Sandy Bridge CPU's have VT-x, 2720QM and up has VT-d which most people won't be using. VT-x is generally what is referred to as "hardware virtualization".

Now thats out of the way, are we actually sure it's disabled on those models in bios? Maybe 5160/5165 users can run SecurAble and see what it says.

 

I have a Clevo W150HRM and can confirm that vt is disabled in bios...I can't understand why they do it. My cpu is 2720qm. I am very dissapointed because I bought it mainly for virtualization.

 

I find that kind of shocking, hope they address it in a bios update.
It's just asinine to have it disabled in a machine sporting these CPU's, If I had picked up that model and hit that issue I can tell you I'd be one unhappy customer, I do a lot of VM work.

Besides that, if they intended to have VT-x disabled on those models they should have stated it instead of advertising the fact that the CPU's have the support, I think owners should contact their reseller about it immediately and press for a bios update that enables the feature.

 

I was confused on that too. And what does the VT-d?

I need VM too! And that's not something that rare I suppose...
For now, I have only one 32-bit Linux VM and I was expecting to find some enhanced experience (after my last notebook) and for my surprise I haven't noticed anything different.

So is it really unsupported? Frustrating...

 

VT-d allows the virtual machine access to some of your system hardware I/O.

 

VT-d is directed I/O or I/O passthru, it's function is routing a physical device directly to a VM as if it were attached to it, it's not something used heavily by the average VM user and is something you're more likely to be using on a desktop with multiple devices, IE video cards. That's all VT-d does.

As for VT-x disabled on these models like I said I highly suggest contacting your reseller to put some pressure on getting a bios update enabling it.

 

I have contacted my reseller, and they are trying to get some answers from Clevo.

I am thinking of returning it because I feel that I can't use it as intended.

However it seems that other manufactures are disabling vt in bios to, this is really stupid...

 

Please let us know of the feedback, tech69.

I'm considering contacting my reseller, I'm just wondering the best way. From the contacts I had from them, they have shown minor tech knowledge :/

 

Do you happen to have "a source" to refer on this issue? An article somewhere or a detailed test on such posted by someone?

 

I think someone owning one of these machines should just take a snapshot of the immediate error when trying to run a 64-bit VM guest where it complains theres no hardware virtualization, that'd be a pretty good reference.

I don't have one of these models but I do sympathize with the owners since I was considering the NP5160 for quite a while before I decided on the NP8130, I do a lot of VM work and I'd have been quite taken back if I'd have had this issue. Personally, I think you should all make some noise about it, I sure don't see "these models don't support hardware virtualization" listed on any sales pages.

 

Good idea.

I haven't tried running any 64 bits VM yet, I would arrange one soon.

Thanks!

 

Hi,


I have attached a screenshot from Virtualbox. I am running Ubuntu 11.04 64 bit and trying to run a Ubuntu 11.04 64 bit server, then this error message pops up. (see attachment)

I have also tried in Windows and it is same error, I have also tested with Microsofts tool (see link) and it says that I need to turn on VT-x in bios...wich is impossible since Clevo thinks I don't need it.

Nothing from my reseller yet, thinking of returning this crippled computer. It's a shame since I like this machine regarding performance, scrren and the fact that I have sent zero dollars to Mr Ballmer since I bought it witout OS.

Link to testing tool in Windows,
Download details: Microsoft® Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool

 

Hi,

the feedback is that xp mode works...

However you don't need hw vt for that.

I have sent my machine back because with such answers there won't be an bios update in the near future.

My recommendation is to return it as fast as possible.

Tech69

 

Tech69, thanks a lot for the tip.


I downloaded the MS testing tool. Oddly, it results in:

(see my attached print-screen)

I'm running only 32-bits VMs now, so I haven't gone through the kind of trouble you had with Ubuntu Server 64-bits. I'm using VMWare Player 3.1.4, which I suppose suports virtualization, but I haven't seen any improvement on hardware support to the VM since my experiences on older computers. I was hoping that the VC could access the GPU for instance, instead of a virtual one.

Maybe I should do some specific testing here. Is there anything I could do on the Ubuntu 32-bits VM in that version of VMWare Player running on Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bits?

 

It looks like your computer supports hw vt, that is great news for you.
I would use latest Virtualbox or VMWare workstation if I were you, I think there is support for 3d acceleration in Vbox 4.06

Good luck

 

hmm

well, great news then!
But still odd... how can your's not support it?
Mine is a Clevo W150HNQ with a "Style-Note" bios splash screen, it is not Sager branded. But I wouldn't expect for the Bios to be different, nor even that Sager disabled that.
And I never updated the Bios or whatsoever.


Thanks for the tips. I never used Virtualbox, it is competent to run Linux VM? Good luck to you too...

 

I just downloaded and ran the same tool and my NP8170 produced the same message, "This computer is configured with hardware-assisted virtualization". I'm relieved, though I don't currently have plans to use it, I like knowing it's available.

 

Well mine was a W150HRM, the one with Nvidia 555. Yes Virtualbox can run anything and it does it really good to.

 

tech69.

How did PCSpecialists take you sending your laptop back? What did you say to them? Did you get another laptop from them?

Cheers,
Rhett

 

It will not run 64bit clients though.

 

How did PCSpecialists take you sending your laptop back? What did you say to them? Did you get another laptop from them? Did they refund you?

Cheers,
Rhett

 

I live in Sweden, I used my right set by consumer laws, you must return it within two weeks of purchase if you do so you have the right to return it without saying why you do it.

However I explained to them that hw vt is disabled in bios, and they accepted the return and sent my money back.

I explained the whole thing with 64 bit to them to.