Installing Vista 64 bit on XP 32 bit Host

[lujan]

I have an HP XW8200 machine that has Windows XP 32 bit Professional. I'm trying to install a virtual machine that has Vista 64 bit. I keep getting an error that I can't install a 64 bit OS on a non-compatible machine. I've already called HP and they said that the machine is 64 bit capable and that the BIOS does not need to be configured because it is not necessary. There are no BIOS settings for VT because I've alreday checked. Anyone know what might be wrong?

[Jasemccarty]

Welcome to the forums...

On your hardware:

32bit OS -> 32bit Guest -> works

32bit OS -> 64bit Guest -> fail

64bit OS -> 32bit Guest -> works

64bit OS -> 64bit Guest -> fail

This is because your processors have to have Intel VT or AMD-V extensions to support a 64bit guest. That's it plain and simple.

Jase McCarty

http://www.jasemccarty.com

Co-Author of VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center

(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach

_{Please consider awarding points if this post was helpful or correct}

[lujan]

But the documentation I got when I ordered this machine said "64-bit Intel Xeon processors"? I also had a choice of OS's, either Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.

[Jasemccarty]

That's correct.

But to extend the 64bit capabilities into the virtualization space, you have to have Intel VT or AMD-V.

The problem isn't that the procs aren't 64bit, as they are.... The problem, is that the guests cannot be 64bit, without the Intel VT or AMD-V technology.

Jase McCarty

http://www.jasemccarty.com

Co-Author of VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center

(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach

_{Please consider awarding points if this post was helpful or correct}

[lujan]

Ok, so even if the host was 64 bit, it still wouldn't work in 64 bit for the guest, right? If this is so, then my only choice would be to test the 64 bit OS on the host.

[Jasemccarty]

That's right.

Jase McCarty

http://www.jasemccarty.com

Co-Author of VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center

(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach

_{Please consider awarding points if this post was helpful or correct}

[admin]

But to extend the 64bit capabilities into the virtualization space, you have to have Intel VT or AMD-V.

Actually, AMD-V is not required for 64-bit guest support on AMD64 processors. See KB 1901 for details.

[Jasemccarty]

Doh, I keep forgetting that...

Jase McCarty

http://www.jasemccarty.com

Co-Author of VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center

(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach

_{Please consider awarding points if this post was helpful or correct}