2006-12-29 15:14:29

by Jeff Chua

[permalink] [raw]
Subject: KVM ... bypass BIOS check for VT?

I'm resending this under KVM as a subject and hope to get response.

kvm: disabled by bios

I know this has been asked before and the answer was no. Does it still
stand or is there a way to bypass the bios? I'm using Lenovo X60s and
there's no option to enable VT in the BIOS setup.

/proc/cpuinfo shows "VMX".


Another question ... how to enable "mouse" in KVM?


Thanks,
Jeff.


2006-12-29 15:45:21

by Arjan van de Ven

[permalink] [raw]
Subject: Re: KVM ... bypass BIOS check for VT?

On Fri, 2006-12-29 at 23:14 +0800, Jeff Chua wrote:
> I'm resending this under KVM as a subject and hope to get response.
>
> kvm: disabled by bios
>
> I know this has been asked before and the answer was no. Does it still
> stand or is there a way to bypass the bios? I'm using Lenovo X60s and
> there's no option to enable VT in the BIOS setup.

I don't think there is a generic way that works.
(rationale: the bios really has to support VT, for example it has to
load the right microcode into the cpu etc)

Not ruling out that specific machines may be able to force it, but
that's more luck than a general solution if that's the case.

(fwiw the linux-ready firmware developer kit now has a test for
vt-enabling so with some luck more bioses will have this right in the
future)

Greetings,
Arjan van de Ven

--
if you want to mail me at work (you don't), use arjan (at) linux.intel.com
Test the interaction between Linux and your BIOS via http://www.linuxfirmwarekit.org

2007-01-08 20:59:10

by Anthony Liguori

[permalink] [raw]
Subject: Re: KVM ... bypass BIOS check for VT?

Jeff Chua wrote:
> I'm resending this under KVM as a subject and hope to get response.
>
> kvm: disabled by bios
>
> I know this has been asked before and the answer was no. Does it still
> stand or is there a way to bypass the bios? I'm using Lenovo X60s and
> there's no option to enable VT in the BIOS setup.

There are two MSR bits involved in enabling VT. The first bit
enables/disables VT. The second bit prevents the first bit from being
changed until the next power up.

If the BIOS is setting the second bit while disabling the first bit,
there's nothing that can be done to work around it.

Sorry. Contact Lenovo and ask for a BIOS update.

Regards,

Anthony Liguori

> /proc/cpuinfo shows "VMX".
>
>
> Another question ... how to enable "mouse" in KVM?
>
>
> Thanks,
> Jeff.