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Virtualization for Windows 7's "XP Mode" requires a
processor that supports the technology.
Virtualization is the term used in the PC world that allows for a PC to run more than one instance of a computer on the computer itself. This includes examples such as an IT support agent working on a server from his home office PC or running Windows 2000 in a Windows Vista environment, for instance. For the sake of this article, I will address Windows 7's "XP Mode," and what is necessary to run Windows XP with your type of processor.
Virtualization has been used fairly steady by IT departments for quite some time, but Microsoft's decision to incorporate it with consumers is actually very new, considering its move to add XP to Windows 7 later this year. (See my article below for more information on XP Mode.) Because of this, some older PCs do not support virtualization, including some PCs out today. And for those that do, it usually is turned off by default in the PC to conserve system resources or by PC requirements. Luckily, there are ways to tell if you have this technology for both Intel and AMD processors.
For Intel processors, it is referred to as "Intel VT" technology; for AMD, it is called "AMD-V". Most newer processors from each family has support for it built in, but for those of you like me who just want a straight-forward answer, Microsoft lists two tools you can download to have the system check it for you. I've included those links below as well.
If you're unsure of your processor type, usually a sticker will show up somewhere on your PC itself, displaying "Intel" or "AMD". You can also right-click the "My Computer" icon on your Start menu (word "Computer" in Windows Vista) and select "Properties" to get your processor type as well.
Also as I mentioned, with most PC manufacturers, the feature is turned off by default and must be enabled in what is called the system BIOS. The BIOS, or Basic Input/Output System, is the system that runs your PC's hardware when you first boot up your machine. Each BIOS has a specific setup utility that you can access to enable virtualization for use on your PC and is accessed using a specific key (F12, F2, for example) when your PC first boots up.
Please be careful though, as each BIOS is different and can lead to unexpected behavior if a setting is done incorrectly. Luckily, Microsoft's web site below lists the steps for common PC manufacturers such as Dell, HP, and Lenovo. If in doubt, I strongly recommend contacting your PC manufacturer or user guide if you're unsure of where to find this setting or what to do just to avoid issues that can come up later.
For more information, check out these sites:
What is Virtualization?
Windows Virtual PC: Configure BIOS Settings
Intel Processor Identification Utility
AMD Virtualization Compatibility Check Utility
Follow me at Twitter.com @terrokkin, or e-mail me at terrokkin@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
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