Intel CPUs require EM64T and VT support in the chip and in the BIOS to run 64-bit virtual machines. This article helps you ensure your processor is VT-capable, and it also instructs you on how to enable this feature.
Symptoms:
cannot find a valid peer process to connect to
The CPU of the host is incompatible with the CPU feature requirements of virtual machine.
The CPU of the host is incompatible with the CPU feature requirements of the virtual machine; problem detected at CPUID level 0x80000001 register 'edx'.
Ensure that your processor supports EM64T and VT.
All Intel Xeon processors feature:
Microsoft offers the Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool. For more information, see the Microsoft Download Centre
You can check your processor's compatibility on the Intel Website.
Note: Intel Virtualization Technology (Intel VT), Intel Trusted Execution Technology (Intel TXT), and Intel 64 architecture require a computer system with a processor, chipset, BIOS, enabling software and/or operating system, device drivers, and applications designed for these features. Performance varies depending on your configuration. Contact your vendor for more information.
Note: Intel EM64T requires a computer system with a processor, chipset, BIOS, operating system, device drivers, and applications enabled for Intel EM64T. The processor does not operate (including 32-bit operation) without an Intel EM64T-enabled BIOS. Performance varies depending on your hardware and software configurations. Intel EM64T-enabled operating systems, BIOS, device drivers, and applications may not be available. For more information, including details on which processors support Intel EM64T, see the Intel 64 Architecture page or consult your system vendor for more information.
After you have confirmed that your processor supports VT, you may need to enable the support:
Note: The preceding links were correct as of February 11, 2013. If you find a link is broken, provide feedback and a VMware employee will update the link.
Example output from the ESX CPU Compatibility Tool:
Reporting CPUID for 2 logical CPUs...
All CPUs are identical
Family: 0f Model: 04 Stepping: 1
ID1ECX ID1EDX ID81ECX ID81EDX
0x0000641d 0xbfebfbff 0000000000 0x20100000
Vendor : Intel
Processor Cores : 1
Brand String : " Intel(R) Xeon(TM) CPU 2.80GHz"
SSE Support : SSE1, SSE2, SSE3
Supports NX / XD : Yes
Supports CMPXCHG16B : Yes
Hyperthreading : Yes
Supports 64-bit Longmode : Yes
Supports 64-bit VMware : No
Notes:
Yes
when the CPU supports EM64T and Intel Virtualization Technology (VT).Yes
on any 64-bit enabled Opteron (Rev E or later).