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mo_pro-tec
Contributor
Contributor

ESXi on IBM x346 8840

Hi,

got some strange problems installing Windows 2008 64bit on out ESXi-Server. the Host machine is 64 bit, Hyperthreading enabled, if i try to install Windows 2008 directly the 64 bit versions is installed correctly. if i install ESXi on the same machine and try to install a new virtual machine with windows 2008 64 bit the installation stops with 0xc00035a Error saying

Attempting to load a 64-bit application, however this CPU is not compatible with 64-bit mode.

strange ?!?

is it neccessary to use some special settings for the virtual machine ?

hope anybody can help me

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dkfbp
Expert
Expert

Hi,

In order to use 64 bits windows virtual machines on vmware esx server the cpu needs to have virtualization technology enabled in BIOS. I am pretty sure

that the processor on your x346 does not have this option - hence 64 bit guests is not possible.

Best regards

Frank Brix Pedersen

Best regards Frank Brix Pedersen blog: http://www.vfrank.org
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nick_couchman
Immortal
Immortal

Could you post the model processor you have (e.g. Intel Core2 6400)?

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mo_pro-tec
Contributor
Contributor

Hi Frank,

thanx for the quick answer. But if i install W2008 x64 on this machine directly the server works normally only Hyper-V isn't supported. Hyperthreading in Bios is enabled and as said if i only install w2008 x64 Enterprise on the machine standalone it works. Only with ESXi installed i'm not able to install a virual machine with 64bit OS

Regards,

Markus

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mo_pro-tec
Contributor
Contributor

hardware data:

2x Xeon 3.2GHz/800MHz (1MB L2 Cache),

IBM x346 Model 8840 Type 2BG - latest BIOS Updates, latest Firmware,...

sorry that i can't post the exact model of CPU but i do not see it in BIOS or Diagnostics

/Markus

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nick_couchman
Immortal
Immortal

Those CPUs sound old enough that I doubt they support VT technology, which, as mentioned in a previous thread, is required for 64-bit guest support. You can go look up IBMs documentation on the system and see if they mention it, but I think you might be out of luck in getting 64-bit guests on that system.

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mo_pro-tec
Contributor
Contributor

Hi Nick,

as mentioned before - i am able to install w2008 Enterprise 64bit on this machine so could it be that if i install 2008 directly on the hardware i can use 64 bit and if i try to install 64 bit in a virtual machine on the same hardware the installation says Sorry - your system is not 64 bit ?!?!

really strange behavior.

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nick_couchman
Immortal
Immortal

Installing a 64-bit O/S onto a system is not the same as being able to run a 64-bit VM. I have a Dell PE1850 that has a Xeon processor in it (with an 800 MHz FSB) that is a 64-bit processor. I can install the 64-bit version of Windows, but I cannot run 64-bit VMs on it because the chip does not have VT. Your processor MUST have VT capability and have it enabled in order to run 64-bit VMs.

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mo_pro-tec
Contributor
Contributor

Hi Nick,

ok I think thats the reason - f... IBM - the processor supports the VT Flag but the current latest BIOS on this machine doesn't.

looks like we must use 32bit systems Smiley Sad and wait till IBM serve a new BIOS

/Markus

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SeanWong
Contributor
Contributor

We have a fleet of the x346 8840 - 11M and 25 M Spec machines and are exploring what to do with them now they are getting a bit older.

I was expecting we could run ESX 4 on them but it seems not !

IBM's Doco indicates they won't run ESX4

I also fond this usefull for training and investigation

x346cpuopt.jpg

!x346cpuopt.jpg!

Ultimate White Box has few entriesrelating to the 8840

If any one finds a way to enable VT Support as per the last post please post it here and we'll test and advise

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