Running a 64-bit Guest on a 32-bit O/S with 64-bit CPU

[stwynam]

Hello,

I want to run some 64-bit guest O/S's within Workstation 6.5 but so far have been unable to. I a message that it cannot run due to the fact it is a 64-bit guest and the host isn't. I am running 32-bit Vista but my CPU should support 64-bit.

I have an Acer Aspire 5738Z, which has a 2GB Intel Core 2 Duo CPU which I understand to be able to support 64-bit.

Is anybody able to help me please?

Thanks

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[Tom2k8]

It should be possible to run a 64 bit guest because of your processor, but there are two hindrances:

1. You run a 32 bit OS. The guest can allocate at most the half of the amount of the host's memory. I don't expect a 64 bit guest running. If VMWare can **emulate** besides virtualize, a 64 bit guest should run, albeit on a horrible performance.

2. You only have 2 Gb of memory in your host. A 64 bit guest won't profit very much.

[stwynam]

Thanks for the response, although I do have 4GB RAM in the laptop so I hope I can utilise enough of this to make it worth it and I just need to install some 64-bit VMs to have a play and get a feel for them.

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[continuum]

Hi

I have a similar constellation like you have : 32 bit Host on a 4 GB dualcore notebook. 64 bit VMs run fine.

If you get errors - are you sure you have enabled VT support in BIOS ?

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[admin · Accepted solution]

Looking up the specs for the Aspire 5738Z on the web, it appears to come with a T4200 processor. The T4200 does not support VT-x, and therefore cannot run 64-bit guests. See KB 1003945.