Hardware virtualization BLOCKED - mistake by Dell ???

glnz

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Hardware virtualization BLOCKED - caused by AVAST !!

Hello experts - hope you all had a great and tasty Thanksgiving - but this one is a doozy:

I have a new Dell Optiplex 7010 MT with with 8GB RAM, a 500GB hard drive and an Intel Core i5-3470 CPU @ 3.20GHz – this is a genuine quad core processor with hardware virtualization. I am dual booting Win 7 Pro 64-bit and Win 8 Pro 64-bit.

Also, I have BIOS A16 with the following settings:
Virtualization Support:
Virtualization – Enable Intel Virtualization Technology is ON
VT for Direct I/O is Enabled – ON
Trusted Execution is OFF

HOWEVER, in Win 7 Pro, I am getting ready to do XP Mode but when I first run the havdetectiontool.exe from Microsoft, it says “Hardware-assisted virtualization is not enabled on this computer”.

Hardware virtualization should be working but something is blocking it – and it’s some type of weird BIOS - hardware problem.

The MS havdetectiontool can create a detailed report - and I am pasting it below. BUT I HAVE ALREADY POWERED DOWN AND UP THE MACHINE MANY TIMES WITH THE ABOVE BIOS SETTINGS. Something is wrong. What is it?

This is the full report:

Intel VT or VIA Centerhauls processor.
System CPU supports Hardware Assisted Virtualization.
Setting up driver.
The file "C:\Users\glnz Admin\Downloads\sources\amd64\\detecthav.sys" is signed and the signature was verified.
Driver installed.

-------------MSR Details------------------
Number of Processors in the system = 4
Information for processor 0 :
VmxProcessor IA32_FEATURE_CONTROL MSR value = 0x000001
VMX Enabled Bit not set
TXT Enabled Bit not set
Hardware Assisted Virtualization is not enabled in the BIOS
Hardware Assisted Virtualization is not enabled in the BIOS.
Please enable "Intel Virtualization Technology" in the BIOS, power down the computer completely, and then rerun the tool on power up
Information for processor 1 :
VmxProcessor IA32_FEATURE_CONTROL MSR value = 0x000001
VMX Enabled Bit not set
TXT Enabled Bit not set
Hardware Assisted Virtualization is not enabled in the BIOS
Hardware Assisted Virtualization is not enabled in the BIOS.
Please enable "Intel Virtualization Technology" in the BIOS, power down the computer completely, and then rerun the tool on power up
Information for processor 2 :
VmxProcessor IA32_FEATURE_CONTROL MSR value = 0x000001
VMX Enabled Bit not set
TXT Enabled Bit not set
Hardware Assisted Virtualization is not enabled in the BIOS
Hardware Assisted Virtualization is not enabled in the BIOS.
Please enable "Intel Virtualization Technology" in the BIOS, power down the computer completely, and then rerun the tool on power up
Information for processor 3 :
VmxProcessor IA32_FEATURE_CONTROL MSR value = 0x000001
VMX Enabled Bit not set
TXT Enabled Bit not set
Hardware Assisted Virtualization is not enabled in the BIOS
Hardware Assisted Virtualization is not enabled in the BIOS.
Please enable "Intel Virtualization Technology" in the BIOS, power down the computer completely, and then rerun the tool on power up

Proc VMXLock VMXEn TXTBit
0 1 0 0
1 1 0 0
2 1 0 0
3 1 0 0

-------BIOS INFORMATION-------------------
Number of values: 15
(01) BiosMajorRelease : 4
(02) BiosMinorRelease : 6
(03) ECFirmwareMajorRelease : 255
(04) ECFirmwareMinorRelease : 255
(05) BaseBoardManufacturer : Dell Inc.
(06) BaseBoardProduct : 0GY6Y8
(07) BaseBoardVersion : A03
(08) BIOSReleaseDate : 09/09/2013
(09) BIOSVendor : Dell Inc.
(10) BIOSVersion : A16
(11) SystemFamily :
(12) SystemManufacturer : Dell Inc.
(13) SystemProductName : OptiPlex 7010
(14) SystemSKU : OptiPlex 7010
(15) SystemVersion : 01
BIOS Vendor : Dell Inc.
BIOS Version : A16
System Manufacturer : Dell Inc.
Final returnValue = 2
Send SQM data to Microsoft.
The SQM machine ID already exists
The SQM user ID already exists
Received SQM upload callback:result 0x0
Current file C:\Users\glnz Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\HAV Detection Tool\HAVDetectionTool.sqm
HTTP code: 200

►SO WHAT TO DO ?? Hey, Dell, did you make a dumb mistake in the BIOS?

►MORE INFO:

I ran an odd test from Intel called BITS, and it showed an error in the MP Table and two errors in MSR. Don't know what that means, except that "MSR" shows in the "havdetectiontool" results I posted above.

Also, I strictly followed AGAIN the instructions above in the havdetectiontool test -

1) changed the BIOS to DISABLE the two virtualization options, did a complete power down, waited, pulled out AC plug, waited, pushed power button to discharge the capacitor, waited, connected the AC cord, waited, powered up, ran the havdetectiontool test, got the same results.

2) changed the BIOS to ENABLE the two virtualization features AND the Trusted Execution feature, did all the same power down and back up recycling and got an immediate boot error: "Alert! Invalid Trusted Execution Technology Configuration. Please refer to the Trusted Execution Technology Setup option helptext for details." But I have no idea where that helptext is. In any case, it is EXPECTED that Trusted Execution not work. But surprised it prevented boot-up.

3) Went back into BIOS, turned OFF Trusted Execution, left ON the other two virtualization options (so I'm back where I started), did the whole power off wait AC out power on again, booted OK, but same “Hardware-assisted virtualization is not enabled on this computer” message from the MS havdetectiontool test - back where I started.

Big pain in place where I sit on Michael Dell's nose.

Are you awake after reading this exciting saga? Any ideas?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual boot - Win 7 Pro 64-bit and Win 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7010 MT
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell 0GY6Y8 - what would the Intel number be? - Q77 chipset
    Memory
    16GB RAM DDR3 (Four x 4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics (on the CPU)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio - and Intel Display Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell E176FP - nothing fancy
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    Two 500GB WDC WD5000AAKX (SATA @ 6GB/sec)

    - External WD My Book 1110 USB device

    - Leftover Momentus XT not plugged in yet.
    PSU
    What means PSU? I'm at sea level
    Cooling
    Ice cubes
    Keyboard
    Noisy
    Mouse
    Basic from Dell
    Internet Speed
    Verizon DSL @ 7Mbps down and 780kbps up
    Browser
    Firefox only with lots of security drives my wife crazy
    Antivirus
    Win 7 Avast Free - Win 8 Windows Defender for now
    Other Info
    Also have an old but important XP SP3 machine still running - Optiplex 755 Desktop w 4GB RAM and 180 GB HD. Used the registry hack to get more updates through "XP Embedded" or "POS" so now the machine rings like a cash register and the CD drawer opens to give change.
► More info --

The Optiplex 7010 is dual-boot. At the moment, I'm in my Win 8 Pro 64-bit OS. Its "System Information" shows the following four lines:

Hyper-V - VM Monitor Mode Extensions ... Yes
Hyper-V - Second Level Address Translation Extensions ... Yes
Hyper-V - Virtualization Enabled in Firmware ... Yes
Hyper-V - Data Execution Prevention ... Yes.

I am not familiar with Hyper-V, and I certainly didn't install it on my own. I don't know why there are any references to it. But, anyway, do these four lines mean anything?

Does the machine's DEP prevent the use of hardware virtualization?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual boot - Win 7 Pro 64-bit and Win 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7010 MT
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell 0GY6Y8 - what would the Intel number be? - Q77 chipset
    Memory
    16GB RAM DDR3 (Four x 4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics (on the CPU)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio - and Intel Display Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell E176FP - nothing fancy
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    Two 500GB WDC WD5000AAKX (SATA @ 6GB/sec)

    - External WD My Book 1110 USB device

    - Leftover Momentus XT not plugged in yet.
    PSU
    What means PSU? I'm at sea level
    Cooling
    Ice cubes
    Keyboard
    Noisy
    Mouse
    Basic from Dell
    Internet Speed
    Verizon DSL @ 7Mbps down and 780kbps up
    Browser
    Firefox only with lots of security drives my wife crazy
    Antivirus
    Win 7 Avast Free - Win 8 Windows Defender for now
    Other Info
    Also have an old but important XP SP3 machine still running - Optiplex 755 Desktop w 4GB RAM and 180 GB HD. Used the registry hack to get more updates through "XP Embedded" or "POS" so now the machine rings like a cash register and the CD drawer opens to give change.
►► More more info ---

My post directly above about Hyper-V might be irrelevant. Those four lines appear in msconfig only when I'm in Win 8. They do NOT appear when I'm in Win 7. And they probably have nothing to do with the problem, which is:

What is blocking hardware virtualization on my PC?

Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual boot - Win 7 Pro 64-bit and Win 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7010 MT
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell 0GY6Y8 - what would the Intel number be? - Q77 chipset
    Memory
    16GB RAM DDR3 (Four x 4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics (on the CPU)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio - and Intel Display Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell E176FP - nothing fancy
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    Two 500GB WDC WD5000AAKX (SATA @ 6GB/sec)

    - External WD My Book 1110 USB device

    - Leftover Momentus XT not plugged in yet.
    PSU
    What means PSU? I'm at sea level
    Cooling
    Ice cubes
    Keyboard
    Noisy
    Mouse
    Basic from Dell
    Internet Speed
    Verizon DSL @ 7Mbps down and 780kbps up
    Browser
    Firefox only with lots of security drives my wife crazy
    Antivirus
    Win 7 Avast Free - Win 8 Windows Defender for now
    Other Info
    Also have an old but important XP SP3 machine still running - Optiplex 755 Desktop w 4GB RAM and 180 GB HD. Used the registry hack to get more updates through "XP Embedded" or "POS" so now the machine rings like a cash register and the CD drawer opens to give change.
►Not an answer but a really weird development.

All of the above bad news was from running havdetectiontool.exe from Microsoft while in Windows 7 Pro 64-bit. HOWEVER, when I booted into my Windows 8 Pro 64-bit, the havdetectiontool.exe says I DO have hardware virtualization!!!

So, not enabled in 7 and yes enabled in 8 - ON THE SAME PC WITH THE SAME BIOS SETTINGS !!!!!

What is this? What is the problem?

I need it OK in 7 because I want to do XP Mode in 7. What is the crucial difference between 7 and 8 on the same PC ???

One more detail: When I first tried to run the havdetectiontool.exe from Microsoft while in Windows 8, it gave me an error message that it could only run in 7, so (while staying in Win 8) I set its Properties to compatibility for 7 and Administrator privilege level. That's when it told me that hardware virtualization IS enabled. But when I ran exactly the same tool again in 7, I got the negative info posted above.

Help !!!!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual boot - Win 7 Pro 64-bit and Win 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7010 MT
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell 0GY6Y8 - what would the Intel number be? - Q77 chipset
    Memory
    16GB RAM DDR3 (Four x 4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics (on the CPU)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio - and Intel Display Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell E176FP - nothing fancy
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    Two 500GB WDC WD5000AAKX (SATA @ 6GB/sec)

    - External WD My Book 1110 USB device

    - Leftover Momentus XT not plugged in yet.
    PSU
    What means PSU? I'm at sea level
    Cooling
    Ice cubes
    Keyboard
    Noisy
    Mouse
    Basic from Dell
    Internet Speed
    Verizon DSL @ 7Mbps down and 780kbps up
    Browser
    Firefox only with lots of security drives my wife crazy
    Antivirus
    Win 7 Avast Free - Win 8 Windows Defender for now
    Other Info
    Also have an old but important XP SP3 machine still running - Optiplex 755 Desktop w 4GB RAM and 180 GB HD. Used the registry hack to get more updates through "XP Embedded" or "POS" so now the machine rings like a cash register and the CD drawer opens to give change.
I just re-ran the verbose havtool.exe test while in Win 8 (where I have hardware virtualization), and I got the following results (pasted at bottom here).

Note the line
VmxProcessor IA32_FEATURE_CONTROL MSR value = 0x000005
How do it get it to 0x000005 when I'm in Win 7?

Please also let me know if you see any other clues in the differences between the first test above (not enabled in Win 7) and the test below (yes enabled in Win 8 - on the same PC and same BIOS !!)

Here are the test results:

_________________________________


Intel VT or VIA Centerhauls processor.
System CPU supports Hardware Assisted Virtualization.
Setting up driver.
The file "C:\Users\glnz Admin\Downloads\HAVTool\sources\amd64\\detecthav.sys" is signed and the signature was verified.
Driver installed.

-------------MSR Details------------------
Number of Processors in the system = 4
Information for processor 0 :
VmxProcessor IA32_FEATURE_CONTROL MSR value = 0x000005
TXT Enabled Bit not set
Hardware Assisted Virtualization is enabled in the BIOS
Information for processor 1 :
VmxProcessor IA32_FEATURE_CONTROL MSR value = 0x000005
TXT Enabled Bit not set
Hardware Assisted Virtualization is enabled in the BIOS
Information for processor 2 :
VmxProcessor IA32_FEATURE_CONTROL MSR value = 0x000005
TXT Enabled Bit not set
Hardware Assisted Virtualization is enabled in the BIOS
Information for processor 3 :
VmxProcessor IA32_FEATURE_CONTROL MSR value = 0x000005
TXT Enabled Bit not set
Hardware Assisted Virtualization is enabled in the BIOS

Proc VMXLock VMXEn TXTBit
0 1 1 0
1 1 1 0
2 1 1 0
3 1 1 0

-------BIOS INFORMATION-------------------
Number of values: 15
(01) BiosMajorRelease : 4
(02) BiosMinorRelease : 6
(03) ECFirmwareMajorRelease : 255
(04) ECFirmwareMinorRelease : 255
(05) BaseBoardManufacturer : Dell Inc.
(06) BaseBoardProduct : 0GY6Y8
(07) BaseBoardVersion : A03
(08) BIOSReleaseDate : 09/09/2013
(09) BIOSVendor : Dell Inc.
(10) BIOSVersion : A16
(11) SystemFamily :
(12) SystemManufacturer : Dell Inc.
(13) SystemProductName : OptiPlex 7010
(14) SystemSKU : OptiPlex 7010
(15) SystemVersion : 01
BIOS Vendor : Dell Inc.
BIOS Version : A16
System Manufacturer : Dell Inc.
Final returnValue = 0
Send SQM data to Microsoft.
The SQM machine ID already exists
The SQM user ID already exists
Received SQM upload callback:result 0x0
Current file C:\Users\glnz Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\HAV Detection Tool\HAVDetectionTool.sqm
HTTP code: 200

► So, what is the difference between my two OSes that is causing the problem in Win 7??

Thanks.


 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual boot - Win 7 Pro 64-bit and Win 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7010 MT
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell 0GY6Y8 - what would the Intel number be? - Q77 chipset
    Memory
    16GB RAM DDR3 (Four x 4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics (on the CPU)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio - and Intel Display Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell E176FP - nothing fancy
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    Two 500GB WDC WD5000AAKX (SATA @ 6GB/sec)

    - External WD My Book 1110 USB device

    - Leftover Momentus XT not plugged in yet.
    PSU
    What means PSU? I'm at sea level
    Cooling
    Ice cubes
    Keyboard
    Noisy
    Mouse
    Basic from Dell
    Internet Speed
    Verizon DSL @ 7Mbps down and 780kbps up
    Browser
    Firefox only with lots of security drives my wife crazy
    Antivirus
    Win 7 Avast Free - Win 8 Windows Defender for now
    Other Info
    Also have an old but important XP SP3 machine still running - Optiplex 755 Desktop w 4GB RAM and 180 GB HD. Used the registry hack to get more updates through "XP Embedded" or "POS" so now the machine rings like a cash register and the CD drawer opens to give change.

You are NOT going to believe this. I found the cause of the problem, and it's...

AVAST !!!

On my Win 8, where HAV says it works, I do NOT use Avast AV. I've been using Windows Defender.

On my Win 7, where HAV says it's not enabled, I use AVAST AV Free, and it's been at the new 2015 Avast for a while.

I've been thinking about this and wondering. So I ran some experiments, and it's an AVAST default setting that is the villain.

Avast - Settings - Troubleshooting - "Enable hardware-assisted virtualization" has been on, so I turned it off, rebooted, and now the havdetectiontool shows "This computer is configured with hardware-assisted virtualization".

Great!!! But bloody hell !!!!

First my apologies to Dell. Mike, I just stopped eating beans and sitting on your nose.

Second, my thanks to all who have tolerated my long posts here.

Can anyone tell me why Avast's internal setting to enable HAV takes HAV away from everything else? Avast has certainly been getting sleazy the last two years, so apparently they're also not quality-testing their new versions very well.

Any thoughts? Was this supposed to happen?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual boot - Win 7 Pro 64-bit and Win 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7010 MT
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell 0GY6Y8 - what would the Intel number be? - Q77 chipset
    Memory
    16GB RAM DDR3 (Four x 4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics (on the CPU)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio - and Intel Display Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell E176FP - nothing fancy
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    Two 500GB WDC WD5000AAKX (SATA @ 6GB/sec)

    - External WD My Book 1110 USB device

    - Leftover Momentus XT not plugged in yet.
    PSU
    What means PSU? I'm at sea level
    Cooling
    Ice cubes
    Keyboard
    Noisy
    Mouse
    Basic from Dell
    Internet Speed
    Verizon DSL @ 7Mbps down and 780kbps up
    Browser
    Firefox only with lots of security drives my wife crazy
    Antivirus
    Win 7 Avast Free - Win 8 Windows Defender for now
    Other Info
    Also have an old but important XP SP3 machine still running - Optiplex 755 Desktop w 4GB RAM and 180 GB HD. Used the registry hack to get more updates through "XP Embedded" or "POS" so now the machine rings like a cash register and the CD drawer opens to give change.
Are you sure it is Avast? No reason for an AV to run a VM but you never know I suppose - I don't use Avast..

My guess would be Hyper-V. You thought it was a red herring but I don't think so. If you have it enabled (the feature is turned on) then it takes control of the VT-x at boot time even if you are not using it and it is then not available for other hypervisors. TPM has got nothing to do with it.

Disable Hyper-V (remove it windows add/remove features is easiest) and see if it works. You can change your boot options to enable/disable Hyper-V but if you aren't using it best just remove it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
    Browser
    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender
adamf - yes, it's Avast, which I have now actually confirmed on two OSes.

Note that I don't have any problem in Win 8.1 where I am NOT using Avast at all. And I found hypervisor only in Win 8, so I don't think there's any connection.

I have the problem only in Win 7 where I am using Avast - but the problem goes away if I go into the Avast settings and UNcheck "enable hardware-assisted virtualization". I don't think there is hypervisor in Win 7 but let me know if I'm wrong.

I don't know anything about virtualization yet - haven't had enough free time. But, preliminarily, I was stymied by the negative results in MS's HAV detection tool until I found the problem.

Note that this is the new 2015 (or maybe "NG") version of Avast.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual boot - Win 7 Pro 64-bit and Win 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7010 MT
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell 0GY6Y8 - what would the Intel number be? - Q77 chipset
    Memory
    16GB RAM DDR3 (Four x 4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics (on the CPU)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio - and Intel Display Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell E176FP - nothing fancy
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    Two 500GB WDC WD5000AAKX (SATA @ 6GB/sec)

    - External WD My Book 1110 USB device

    - Leftover Momentus XT not plugged in yet.
    PSU
    What means PSU? I'm at sea level
    Cooling
    Ice cubes
    Keyboard
    Noisy
    Mouse
    Basic from Dell
    Internet Speed
    Verizon DSL @ 7Mbps down and 780kbps up
    Browser
    Firefox only with lots of security drives my wife crazy
    Antivirus
    Win 7 Avast Free - Win 8 Windows Defender for now
    Other Info
    Also have an old but important XP SP3 machine still running - Optiplex 755 Desktop w 4GB RAM and 180 GB HD. Used the registry hack to get more updates through "XP Embedded" or "POS" so now the machine rings like a cash register and the CD drawer opens to give change.
I just saw your thread here https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=162445.0 (I guess it is you). Sorry to have missed it.

Anyway the theory is quite straightforward. Only one program can use the VT-x instructions. If Hyper-V is installed it will take control at boot (and then you can't run VMWare, VirtualBox or other hypervisors etc in 64bit mode - you get the same error).

Apparently for some unknown (to me) reason Avast does also. So Avast has taken control and your hypervisor (XP mode) can''t run.

The detection tool is telling you if you CPU is OK and it is turned on in BIOS - not that something has grabbed it.

Good find though :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
    Browser
    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender
adamf - you write "The detection tool is telling you if you CPU is OK and it is turned on in BIOS - not that something has grabbed it."

But I think in Win 7 Avast DID grab it. As soon as I unchecked EHAV in Avast (in Win 7), the MS havdetectiontool gave good results. I already knew my CPU and BIOS were OK - the earlier negative results in the MS havdetectiontool had been driving me nuts.

Can you advise further how this works? There is room only for one virtualization system running at a a time? If so, why has Avast done what it's done? How come I'm the first person to notice?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual boot - Win 7 Pro 64-bit and Win 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7010 MT
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell 0GY6Y8 - what would the Intel number be? - Q77 chipset
    Memory
    16GB RAM DDR3 (Four x 4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics (on the CPU)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio - and Intel Display Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell E176FP - nothing fancy
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    Two 500GB WDC WD5000AAKX (SATA @ 6GB/sec)

    - External WD My Book 1110 USB device

    - Leftover Momentus XT not plugged in yet.
    PSU
    What means PSU? I'm at sea level
    Cooling
    Ice cubes
    Keyboard
    Noisy
    Mouse
    Basic from Dell
    Internet Speed
    Verizon DSL @ 7Mbps down and 780kbps up
    Browser
    Firefox only with lots of security drives my wife crazy
    Antivirus
    Win 7 Avast Free - Win 8 Windows Defender for now
    Other Info
    Also have an old but important XP SP3 machine still running - Optiplex 755 Desktop w 4GB RAM and 180 GB HD. Used the registry hack to get more updates through "XP Embedded" or "POS" so now the machine rings like a cash register and the CD drawer opens to give change.
There is room only for one virtualization system running at a a time?
Definitely this is so. At least only one that requires VT-x. You can run Hyper-V and VirtualBox if the VBox guest is 32 bit I believe. There are many many reports of this but for example https://social.technet.microsoft.co...7fd/hyperv-disables-vtx-for-other-hypervisors
If so, why has Avast done what it's done? How come I'm the first person to notice?
Don't know why, performance perhaps. Or sandboxing. The Avast issue has been found before though:
https://feedback.avast.com/responses/notify-users-of-the-fact-that-avast-sandbox-blocks-use-of-vt-x
windows - VT Not Supported when Installing HAXM - Stack Overflow

I don't use Avast so can't really comment but I guess you know the workaround - you need to disable it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
    Browser
    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender
Only one program can use the VT-x instructions. If Hyper-V is installed it will take control at boot (and then you can't run VMWare, VirtualBox or other hypervisors etc in 64bit mode - you get the same error).

There is room only for one virtualization system running at a a time?
Definitely this is so. At least only one that requires VT-x. You can run Hyper-V and VirtualBox if the VBox guest is 32 bit I believe.
VirtualBox has no issues running on same computer than Hyper-V, even simultaneously. Here Vista in Hyper-V, Seven in VirtualBox:

Screenshot (3).png

The only issue is that when Hyper-V is enabled, VirtualBox can only run 32 bit guests.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY 17-1150eg
    CPU
    1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
    Hard Drives
    Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
    External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
    Cooling
    As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
    Keyboard
    Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX1000 Laser (Bluetooth)
    Internet Speed
    50 MB VDSL
    Browser
    Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
    Other Info
    Windows in English, additional user accounts in Finnish, German and Swedish.
Hi there

1) a VM if it is connected in any way to a network or even shares drives with a machine that is connected to a LAN or Internet then you need to make the same security considerations as security on a REAL machine -- to the outside world it acts exactly as a REAL physical machine does.

2) There is NO reason whatsoever to add 3rd party AV software on W8/8.1/10 --Windows defender will supply the service. It's built in to the OS - unlike W7 where there's no AV software built in which is why people use things like MSE which was a forerunner of the current security in later Windows OS'es. In fact adding 3rd party AV software to W8 etc is likely to CAUSE problems rather than resolve them.

As to what virtualisation system you use - it's up to you. I know Kari likes HYPER-V but my issue with that is that it only runs on Windows. VBOX / VMWARE for all the possible negatives do at least run on LINUX too and I can run VM's without change whether my host is Windows OR LINUX - and I increasingly run my VM's from a LINUX Host these days - particularly as I can easily boot it from an external SSD, fire up a Windows VM and have a 100% portable system.

Confirming Kari is correct though in that if you DO use HYPER-V AND another virtualisation system on Windows (in this case VBOX) then only 32 bit guests seem to work.

VMWARE workstation 11 seems to know if HYPER-V is enabled so it won't installl until you disable HYPER-V. There is a script somewhere where you can change the configuration at boot time so you don't have to keep unnstalling and re-installing HYPER-V.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
jimbo - thanks for your detailed info, which is very helpful. Good to know I don't need Avast in 8.1. And I appreciate your info re limitations of Hyper-V.

I shall start for the first time soon to try to do virtualization - never saw it before. If there's a good guide for a noob like me (who's at least smart enough to get dual-booting going on his new Optiplex and to find this excellent forum), please suggest.

Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual boot - Win 7 Pro 64-bit and Win 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7010 MT
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell 0GY6Y8 - what would the Intel number be? - Q77 chipset
    Memory
    16GB RAM DDR3 (Four x 4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics (on the CPU)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio - and Intel Display Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell E176FP - nothing fancy
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    Two 500GB WDC WD5000AAKX (SATA @ 6GB/sec)

    - External WD My Book 1110 USB device

    - Leftover Momentus XT not plugged in yet.
    PSU
    What means PSU? I'm at sea level
    Cooling
    Ice cubes
    Keyboard
    Noisy
    Mouse
    Basic from Dell
    Internet Speed
    Verizon DSL @ 7Mbps down and 780kbps up
    Browser
    Firefox only with lots of security drives my wife crazy
    Antivirus
    Win 7 Avast Free - Win 8 Windows Defender for now
    Other Info
    Also have an old but important XP SP3 machine still running - Optiplex 755 Desktop w 4GB RAM and 180 GB HD. Used the registry hack to get more updates through "XP Embedded" or "POS" so now the machine rings like a cash register and the CD drawer opens to give change.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY 17-1150eg
    CPU
    1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
    Hard Drives
    Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
    External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
    Cooling
    As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
    Keyboard
    Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX1000 Laser (Bluetooth)
    Internet Speed
    50 MB VDSL
    Browser
    Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
    Other Info
    Windows in English, additional user accounts in Finnish, German and Swedish.
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