Hi All, I tried to install 32-bit Windows 8.1 on my laptop running VirtualBox 4.3.0. The installation aborted early on with the message:
Your PC needs to restart. Please hold down the power button. Error code: 0x0000000A Parameters: 0xFFFFFFE6 0x0000001F 0x00000000 0x8138AFAB According to https://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=56465 this message indicates that hardware assisted virtualization needs to be enabled to run Windows 8 (32-bit and 64-bit) in VirtualBox. My system does not support HAV so it all makes sense. Having said this ... Is there a possibility that VirtualBox will be enhanced to support the execution of at least 32-bit versions of Windows 8/8.1 on systems without hardware virtualization support? 1. While all current AMD processors support AMD-V there is a number of current (and older) Intel processors that don't. Right now Intel's Pentium Processors B940, B950, 957, 967, B970, 977, 987, B980 do not support VT-X. A quick google search showed that these processors are used in a variety of laptops from mainstream vendors like Acer, ASUS, Toshiba, Sony. 2. Even if the processor supports HAV the system's BIOS has to support this feature as well. I assume that most BIOS' do but I am not 100% sure. 3. Even though I lack the detailed knowledge about runtime code patching I think the problem can be solved in software. With VMware Player 6 Windows 8.1 32-bit installs just fine on my system that lacks HAV support (Using Player though is not an option). I have to admit that I am particuarly interested in this feature as I am working on a VirtualBox based 'consumer friendly' product that 'just works' on a broad range of hardware platforms. IMHO though one of the most interesting features of VirtualBox is the support for a wide variety of host platforms and the HAV requirement for 8/8.1runs counter to the VirtualBox philosophy. What are your thoughts? Arend
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