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Maciej Samsel
Level 1 (45 points)

Q: Enabling Intel Virtualization VT-x - Question

How do I enable virtualization on Mac Mini?

The Mini comes with this feature disabled, but I know it can be enabled for emulator/VM software. It is a firmware feature of Mac Mini motherboard.

Anybody knows how to do that without inrstallation of 3rd part software or dangerous modifications?

I need that to run Parallels Desktop that uses it. I am not interested in Boot Camp as I am not interested in dual boot - I need emulation and virtualization on Mac.

Thanks,
Maciek

PowerMac G4 (dual), Intel Core Duo Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.4.5), Dell 2005FPW, Logitech trackball, External DVD-ROM Region Free...

Posted on Jul 14, 2006 8:35 PM

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Maciej Samsel

Q: Enabling Intel Virtualization VT-x - Question

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  • by Gregory Meach,

    Gregory Meach Gregory Meach Jul 14, 2006 10:13 PM in response to Maciej Samsel
    Level 3 (930 points)
    Jul 14, 2006 10:13 PM in response to Maciej Samsel
    I think at this point you have two options;

    1. Wait for Apple to release a firmware update that enables it

    2. Do something you stated you didn't want to do Click Here

    Good luck
    Greg

  • by Maciej Samsel,

    Maciej Samsel Maciej Samsel Jul 14, 2006 10:19 PM in response to Gregory Meach
    Level 1 (45 points)
    Jul 14, 2006 10:19 PM in response to Gregory Meach
    Option 2. I studied before posted on this forum.... and I do not want to

    I am not sure if firmware update resolves this as this is a setting just like in old good BIOS on PC, but we do not seem to have BIOS setup screen on Macs.

  • by Mario_MM,

    Mario_MM Mario_MM Jul 15, 2006 4:48 AM in response to Maciej Samsel
    Level 3 (745 points)
    Jul 15, 2006 4:48 AM in response to Maciej Samsel
    Why do you think VT-x is disabled, did you actually check?
    Did you try to run parallels?

    On my Mini it is enabled.


    Mario

    Mac Mini   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   Core Duo / 2GB

  • by dwb,

    dwb dwb Jul 15, 2006 8:38 AM in response to Maciej Samsel
    Level 7 (24,415 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 15, 2006 8:38 AM in response to Maciej Samsel
    During the beta process of Parallels I thought this issue was resolved. The work around was to put the mini to sleep, wake it, and then start Parallels.

  • by Maciej Samsel,

    Maciej Samsel Maciej Samsel Jul 16, 2006 8:55 PM in response to Mario_MM
    Level 1 (45 points)
    Jul 16, 2006 8:55 PM in response to Mario_MM
    Why do you think VT-x is disabled, did you actually
    check?
    Did you try to run parallels?

    On my Mini it is enabled.


    Mario

    Mac Mini  
    Mac OS X (10.4.6)   Core Duo / 2GB



    Because there is a software that reports it disabled. The software that I use is Parallels Desktop - much better solution than Boot Camp if you want to run Windows and Mac at trhe same time rather than have dual boot option.

    Parallels Desktop works very fast for PC emulators and even faster with VT-x. It is fdaily usable emulator (and yes it is emulator and not pure virtualization as it emulates most of the hardware but quite nicely).

  • by Maciej Samsel,

    Maciej Samsel Maciej Samsel Jul 16, 2006 9:00 PM in response to dwb
    Level 1 (45 points)
    Jul 16, 2006 9:00 PM in response to dwb
    During the beta process of Parallels I thought this
    issue was resolved. The work around was to put the
    mini to sleep, wake it, and then start Parallels.


    I do not quite understand what you mean by workaround here. Does Parallels Desktop software turn on VT-x on fly or when you put Mini to sleep it fools Parallels software? I do not quite believe that switching VT-x (CPU feature) on fly works like that... but perhaps I am wrong.

    Anyway I really need Parallels running with VT-x enabled and its report about this feature being disabled does not bother me. What bothers me is that this feature seems to be off and I do not understand Apple's policy on it.

    Thanks,
    Maciek