Is Intel VT-x/EPT not supported by Q9550?

[ECuev]

Hello Community,

Is Intel VT-x/EPT not supported by Q9550?

I am asking because a warning of VMware Workstation "Virtualized Intel VT-x/EPT is not supported on this platform" due to that I can't perform esxi host and GNS3 VM. My PC is a Dell Optiplex 780 in the Bio:

Enable Intel(R) Virtualization Technology is: CheckedEnable Intel(R) VT for Direct I/O is: CheckedEnable Intel(R) Trusted Execution Technology is: UncheckedEnable CPU XD Support is: Checked

See attached pictures for more info

The Bio is updated to the latest version

Thank you

[n_scott_pearson · Accepted solution]

Actually, both VT-x and VT-d are supported by the (vPro-enabled) Q9550 processor. In order for these features to be used, this processor must be combined with a vPro-enabled chipset. I see that the Dell Optiplex 870 indeed has a vPro-enabled chipset, namely Q45, so these features should be supported.

EPT (Extended Page Tables) is an Intel second-generation x86 virtualization technology for the memory management unit (MMU). EPT support is found in Intel's Core i3/i5/i7 CPUs (amongst others). Unfortunately, the Q9550, which is a Core 2 Quad processor, supports only first-generation x86 virtualization technology.

Bottom line, VMware Workstation is not going to work on this processor as EPT support is a requirement. I have to say, why you would want to attempt to run VMware on this ancient, 9-year-old machine is beyond me. It can only support 4GB of memory, which is (IMHO) far too little to reasonably support VM operation.

Sorry,

...S

[ECuev]

Scott, thank you so much for this helpful explanation, I haven't changed the PC because I didn't understand the problem.

You're rock buddy!

[CaptionWolf]

Subject: VT-x/EPT Not Supported Error on Intel® Core™ i7-1185G7 – How to Solve

Message:

Hello Intel Community,

I am currently using a Dell system with an 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1185G7 @ 3.00GHz processor. While attempting to run VMware Workstation, I receive the following error message:

"This host supports Intel VT-x, but Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT) is not supported on this platform."

Steps I have already tried:

Enabled Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x) and VT-d in BIOS.

Verified Windows Features (Hyper-V, Windows Hypervisor Platform, Windows Sandbox).

Tested different BIOS/software settings suggested online.

The problem still persists.

From my understanding, this processor should support Intel VT-x, VT-d, and EPT.

My questions are:

Can Intel confirm whether the i7-1185G7 fully supports VT-x, VT-d, and EPT?

If it is supported, what steps should I follow to resolve this issue in VMware Workstation?

Are there any known compatibility issues or BIOS settings specific to 11th Gen Intel processors that I should adjust?

I will attach screenshots of the error messages for reference.

Thank you for your assistance.

Best regards,
[DHANUSH]