VT-X disabled by firmware update?

Discussion in 'Parallels Desktop for Mac' started by elektroholunder, Apr 6, 2006.

  1. ingomar

    ingomar Bit poster

    Messages:
    1
    For the record:
    Serial YM6087PJU36
    ROM: MM11.0055.B02
    Prod: Wk8/2006
    vtx-check reports VT-x is supported (reported by CPUID), but locked in MSR and can't be used
     
  2. roscoe13

    roscoe13 Bit poster

    Messages:
    9
    on my core duo mini, with MM11.0055.B02, SN YM608R0VU36, vtx-check gives me "VT-x is supported (reported by CPUID) and can be used", but Parallels Workstation->About Parallels Workstation gives me "Virtualization mode: Software mode 0"

    Of course, I can't get it to boot from a real CD or a CD image, so it's all kind of meaningless to me at this point anyway...

    Using build 1658.24

    Peace
     
  3. djyod

    djyod Bit poster

    Messages:
    4
    Would it possible to give some detail directions on using this test? I am relatively new to the Mac sene and would love a detailed step by step......

    Thanks for all the effort!
     
  4. NoBackUp

    NoBackUp Bit poster

    Messages:
    65
    So PVm states

    License information:
    Status:
    ---
    Product ID:
    00005-00013361-0004
    Validity period:
    April 6, 2006 - May 6, 2006
    Primary OS(es):
    Mac OS X
    Terminal Services:
    no

    Virtualization mode: Intel VT-x
    Remote client off
    session:

    (But Had to start the Guest OS to Get This !!!)


    And About this mac..

    Machine Name: Mac mini
    Machine Model: Macmini1,1
    CPU Type: Intel Core Duo
    Number Of Cores: 2
    CPU Speed: 1.66 GHz
    L2 Cache (shared): 2 MB
    Memory: 1.25 GB
    Bus Speed: 667 MHz
    Boot ROM Version: MM11.0055.B02
    Serial Number: YM608G~~~~~
    SMC Version: 1.3f2

    If I use BootCamp/XP-Native i was using a tool from Intel (http://www.intel.com/support/processors/tools/piu/sb/CS-014921.htm


    and it reports..


    Intel(R) Processor Identification Utility
    Version: 2.8.20060328
    Time Stamp: 2006/04/09 01:10:54
    Number of processors in system: 1
    Current processor: #1
    Processor Name: Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo CPU T2300 @ 1.66GHz
    Type: 0
    Family: 6
    Model: E
    Stepping: 8
    Revision: 39
    L1 Instruction Cache: 32 KB
    L1 Data Cache: 32 KB
    L2 Cache: 2 MB
    Packaging: µFCPGA/µFCBGA
    EIST: Yes
    MMX(TM): Yes
    SIMD: Yes
    SIMD2: Yes
    SIMD3: Yes
    Enhanced Halt State: No
    Execute Disable Bit: Yes
    Hyper-Threading Technology: No
    Intel(R) Extended Memory 64 Technology: No
    Intel(R) Virtualization Technology: Yes
    Expected Processor Frequency: 1.66 GHz
    Reported Processor Frequency: 1.66 GHz
    Expected System Bus Frequency: 667 MHz
    Reported System Bus Frequency: 667 MHz
    *************************************************************

    so where do we go from here ?
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2006
  5. gnujon

    gnujon Junior Member

    Messages:
    18
    VT-x and Core Duo Mac Minis

    Hi,

    When I tried Beta 1 of Parallels Workstation on my Core Duo Mac Mini yesterday, I was getting that error message stating that the CPU supports VT-x but that it has been disabled in the system BIOS.

    Today I downloaded Beta 2 (build 1658.30 8-Apr-2006) and now I no longer get the error message and the VT-x mode seems to be working.

    In the about box I see this:
    Virtualization mode: Intel VT-x

    And your vtx-check kext gives me this:
    VT-x is supported (reported by CPUID) and can be used

    Here are the details of my system:

    Machine Name: Mac mini
    Machine Model: Macmini1,1
    CPU Type: Intel Core Duo
    Number Of Cores: 2
    CPU Speed: 1.66 GHz
    L2 Cache (shared): 2 MB
    Memory: 512 MB
    Bus Speed: 667 MHz
    Boot ROM Version: MM11.0055.B02
    Serial Number: YM608KNPU36
    SMC Version: 1.3f2

    Thanks.
     
  6. djyod

    djyod Bit poster

    Messages:
    4
    So when you install Beta 2, is it a complete new reinstall and do you have to reinstall windows again or does it just do an update to Workstation?

    Thanks,
     
  7. Scott Willsey

    Scott Willsey Hunter

    Messages:
    174
    It's an update. Just download the dmg, run the package installer, and have fun.
     
  8. pojo

    pojo Bit poster

    Messages:
    2
    Add another to the not working...

    What is weird, is that the first time I ran 2.1 beta2, it didn't show that warning that VT wasn't enabled. But then it crashed (hard, got a nice gray screen informing me to reboot) and after that it gave me the error message each time I wanted to use it.

    Anyway, I ran the little test program and it says that it's not enabled, so you can add this to your list :(

    Confirmed NOT working:
    - Mac mini (Core Duo) (firmware: MM11.004B.B00, serial: YM609081U39)
    - Mac mini (Core Duo) (firmware: MM11.0055.B02, serial: YM609081U39)
     
  9. Alf

    Alf Bit poster

    Messages:
    3
    VT-x

    Hi:

    Installed the beta yesterday, 2.1.1658.24 April 4

    Also my mini is:

    Machine Name: Mac mini
    Machine Model: Macmini1,1
    CPU Type: Intel Core Duo
    Number Of Cores: 2
    CPU Speed: 1.66 GHz
    L2 Cache (shared): 2 MB
    Memory: 1 GB
    Bus Speed: 667 MHz
    Boot ROM Version: MM11.0055.B02
    Serial Number: YM60849AU36
    SMC Version: 1.3f2

    Before I started the download for Parallels, I did 10.4.6 update and new Firmware BIOS update from apple.

    All day yesterday, beta was working but got VT-x is disabled.

    This morning did a shutdown by mistake with Parallels running, First startup gave me a gray screen and second startup booted fine, now VT-x is working fine.

    Very strange behaviour, but happy that its working ok.

    I notice missing features and some minor annoyance bugs, but overall I love it. Thanks very much, the forum is a wealth of info, thanks again.

    There is a pre-order website, $39, I just ordered! Now want to buy a new imac, ha!

    Alf
     
  10. whomikejones

    whomikejones Bit poster

    Messages:
    1
    Not working here, FYI:

    Serial: YM608HV8U36
    Boot ROM: MM11.0055.B02
     
  11. pojo

    pojo Bit poster

    Messages:
    2
    Weirdness

    This is *very* odd. Yesterday, when I ran vtx-check, it stated that vtx was disabled. Now, for some reason, it's enabled???

    The only difference that I can see in dmesg is this:

    Parallels Workstation Hypervisor started.
    Parallels Workstation VMM Main driver started.
    System Sleep
    Enabling XMM register save/restore and SSE/SSE2 opcodes
    Started CPU 01
    System Wake
    USB caused wake event (EHCI)
    AppleYukon - en0 link active, 1000-Mbit, full duplex, symmetric flow control enabled

    VT-x is supported (reported by CPUID) and can be used

    Does making the mini sleep and then wake up again enable VT-x? I'm installing Ubuntu right now and it seems to be working fine. Parallels reports that it is using virtualization too.

    --pojo
     
  12. jase

    jase Bit poster

    Messages:
    2
    Great catch!

    I just put mine to sleep, and after waking it up, I can confirm that I'm seeing the same results you are. VT-x was locked in MSR on my Mini, but after sleeping, it's reported as working both with vtx-check and Parallels. :D
     
  13. aplnub

    aplnub Member

    Messages:
    25
    10.4.6
    Firmware Update
    PW 2.1.1658.30 Beta

    No VT-x hardware support message.

    intel Mini s/n: YM608SHMU36

    The sleep trick does not work and I can't get it to recognize a ISO image or my CD/DVD drive.
     
  14. daveschroeder

    daveschroeder Member

    Messages:
    64
    Ok, this is really strange...VT is now enabled on a Mac mini it *wasn't* previously enabled on, and this was without doing any sleep tricks. In fact, I now can't get it to report that it's *disabled*. I can't see any rhyme or reason as to why this could be happening...
     
  15. metfoo

    metfoo Bit poster

    Messages:
    8
    with beta 1, i was enabled. With beta 2, i was software only. I will try the sleep trick at home
     
  16. dusty

    dusty Bit poster

    Messages:
    1
    wierd

    Just found this thread.

    Did the firmware update before trying for the first time yesterday to run parellels on my mini dual core. At first I was locked. Then I went to sleep for the first time and afterwords, I now have
    VT-x is supported (reported by CPUID) and can be used.

    ??
     
  17. CraigF

    CraigF Junior Member

    Messages:
    17
    This is the craziest thread ever.

    I wish I had a Core Duo Mini just to try this on. :p
     
  18. ctrl+alt+del

    ctrl+alt+del Bit poster

    Messages:
    9
    well, on my Mini, i installed directly beta 2. The Mini is brand new, and the Firmware Updater says it does not need any update.

    Anyway, XP runs fine in Parallels, and the VT was enabled (well, i guess it was as Parallels did not say anything). Then i had two computer hangs in a row trying to insert a CD in the drive while running the VM (the second one beeing a short black screen followed by a direct restart.

    Since then, i have this VT disabled message showing (and vtx-check tells me it's indeed disabled).

    ROM : MM11.004B.B00
    Serial : YM6092U4U36
    Version SMC : 1.3f2
     
  19. Todd Woodward

    Todd Woodward Bit poster

    Messages:
    2
    Apr 11 11:40:41 administrators-computer kernel[0]: VT-x is supported (reported by CPUID), but locked in MSR and can't be used

    Machine Name: Mac mini
    Machine Model: Macmini1,1
    CPU Type: Intel Core Duo
    Number Of Cores: 2
    CPU Speed: 1.66 GHz
    L2 Cache (shared): 2 MB
    Memory: 512 MB
    Bus Speed: 667 MHz
    Boot ROM Version: MM11.0055.B02
    Serial Number: YM6098B3U36
     
  20. mattham

    mattham Bit poster

    Messages:
    8
    Well I can also account to the strange things going on.

    Mac MINI core duo 1.66
    ym6133p2u36
    10.4.6
    latest firmware & beta 2
    (all DL yesterday - brand new mini)

    When I first installed Parallels I got the "not supported" notice but went ahead and installed anyway - then found & read this thread.

    I let my mac go to sleep & woke it up. Still got the "not supported" warning on startup but noticed that it was using VT-x when windows got up & running. then it became very unstable & crashed my mini (total reset - no kernel panic or any thing) I gave up & went to bed (4am :-D - I left the mac running).
    When i woke it up this morning & tried it - no "disabled" warning - booted straight into windows & is running stable.

    Hope this helps (although i'm sure it wont)

    Matt :)

    PS with the sleep thing - I first tried putting it to sleep with the power button & this didn't seem to make any difference, it wasnt until I let it go to sleep by itself that things started to happen.
     

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