The problem is that running the program provided by petr from inside the guest shows that VT isn't being used (the result of running the program here:
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=345088&#345088 is "LIMIT=FFBFFFFF".

I've tried that same program on vmware server for linux and Workstation 5.5.1 build-19175 in Windows and get the same answer ("LIMIT=FFBFFFFF") meaning neither product is using the VT functions of the processor.

I don't think it matters to run this inside a guest. I don't think the guest knows (nor cares) that it is running via a VT-capable/enabled processor. The mere fact that you have one allows your host to run the 64-bit guest in the first place. What are the results when you run it on the HOST? And, since the processor check utility gave you the green light for running 64-bit guests, I ask again, "What exactly is the problem?" Can you create and run a 64-bit guest? What is it that you are trying to do that you cannot do?

Jon,
I believe Rob understands your point. A guest OS running inside of VMware will not reflect the presence of VT, that does not mean the host application isn't taking advantage of VT. That just means a guest OS attempting to leverage VT will not attempt VT virtualization within virtualization, e.g. running Xen 3.0 in a guest OS.

The 64-bit guest OS application test means little as there are 64-bit processors without VT.

VMware says if your CPU possesses VT capabilities and that capability isn't disabled by BIOS, then they will leverage those instructions. It appears you want some sort of confirmation like in the vmware.log or in the About Box or something like "Running with VT".

Unlike hyperthreading which manifests itself clearly with more logical processors, active VT is not nearly as obvious.

I believe Richard was referring to the AMD chips which do currently support 64-bit guests. AFAIK, NO Intel chips without VT support 64-bit guests. And, that's the point I was trying to make to jon.

Rob

Finally someone who can confirm my results!

Thanks for sharing the info ppippero. I think it's pretty clear that vmware's VT support either doesn't exist or is broken at this time.

A small point: not sure about the Core Duos but the Pentium D Dual core does support "EM64T" (64bit extensions) and the vmware check utility confirms that it can run 64 bit guest OSs. So I would revise your last bullet point to:

- Current VMWare Server is unable to use VT

Good news!

Petr private messaged me this message which worked and VT now seems to be working in Vmware server:

"Try adding

monitor_control.vt32 = "TRUE"

into *.vmx. Your guest may crash, computer caught fire, you know... But maybe it will just work..."

Petr's test program in the other thread that didn't give the correct output before now works when the monitor_control setting is added in (now gives output of "LIMIT=FFFFFFFF" in the guest machine meaning VT is being used). And no crashes, fires, etc .

Thanks petr.

(Posted this in the other thread earlier by accident)