64-bit guest operating systems are unable to boot with Paravirtualization support (VMI) enabled

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

If Virtualization Technology (VT) is enabled in the BIOS to run 64-bit virtual machines:

• Booting a 64-bit virtual machine with Paravirtualization generates an error:
  
  
  • Ubuntu 8: This kernel requires an x86-64 CPU, but only detected an i686 CPU.
  • SLES 10: Cool Software, but... This is a 32-bit Computer. You cannot use 64-bit software on it.
  • Windows 2008 Server: Attempting to load a 64-bit application, however this CPU is not compatible with 64-bit mode.
  • Windows 2003 Server: Attempting to load an x64 operating system, however this CPU is not compatible with x64 mode. Please install a 32-bin X86 operating system.


• You receive a message indicating that Long mode is required.

Environment

VMware ESX Server 3.5.x
VMware VirtualCenter 2.5.x

Cause

These errors are thrown by 64-bit guest operating systems if paravirtualization (VMI) is enabled.

Resolution

There is no 64-bit support for VMI when using ESX 3.5.x or earlier.

To power on 64-bit guest operating systems, you must disable VMI. To disable VMI:

1. Select the virtual machine in VMware Infrastructure Client.
2. Click Edit Settings > Options > Advanced.
3. Deselect Paravirtualization.

Additional Information

For related information, see Configuring disks to use VMware Paravirtual SCSI (PVSCSI) adapters (1010398). Configuring disks to use VMware Paravirtual SCSI (PVSCSI) adapters
已启用半虚拟化支持 (VMI) 的 64 位客户机操作系统无法引导
準仮想化 (VMI) のサポートが有効化された 64 ビットのゲスト OS を起動できない