Good folks at Intel I need your help.
As some of you may have noticed, I have been awarded last summer with a Black Belt title, and I got a very nice notebook as a reward. It is a Sony VAIO VGN-FW190E.
Today I wanted to use Microsoft Virtual PC on it, and I realized in awe that the hardware virtualization support is disabled.
I used Everest, CPU-Z, CrystalCPUID and my own CPU info tool to verify that the P8600 actually does support VT which of course being high-end mobile 45nm part it does.
Being geeky I disassembled Virtual PC executable to check if perhaps detection doesn't work correctly and I found no flaws.
Then I consulted document order #253669 revision 29 (Intel 64 and IA-32 Architectures Software Developer's Manual Volume 3B - System Programming Guide) and in chapter 19.7 on page 156 I found that VT is controlled by MSR 0x3A bits 0, 1, and 2. I checked the contents of the MSR using CrystalCPUID MSR Editor tool and the value is 0x00000000 00000001, meaning that the VT has been disabled and the register locked.
After rebooting into BIOS I found no option to Enable/Disable VT. It is hardcoded as disabled.
I have spent two hours in chat with Sony Support. I got the following responses:
1. http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/documentLink.do?externalId=C381809
That KB article basically says that Intel VT is "currently" (since October 2008) not supported on VAIO notebooks.
2. Igor, as the Virtualization Technology is not supported, it is not possible to use the Hardware Virtualization.
In my opinion, this is giving Intel Corporation a bad name. I have Intel's latest and greatest mobile platform with not only VT but VT2 support which I cannot use simply because someone at Sony has been an incompetent cheapskate when they were configuring the BIOS modules.
3. This issue needs extensive communication. So, I suggest that you contact our Hotline Support team at 1-888-476-6972.
Well it is obvious that I can't make long distance call from Serbia and spend an hour listening to cheap elevator music until someone answers the phone and then spend another hour attempting to explain the technical nitty-gritty as I am being repeatedly told that "it is not supported".
4. BIOS updates will be released only if there are any known issues with the Computer.
Well, if this isn't a known issue then why it exists in their knowledge base? D'oh! Needless to say, BIOS is dated February 27th, 2008 so it probably doesn't even have recent microcode updates as well.
5. I suggest that you bookmark our Sony support site 'Drivers and Softwares' page to check for the latest updates.
Yeah, right. The only problem is that nowhere does it say on Sony's website "we are working on an update".
6. Igor, it is clearly mentioned that Sony VAIO computers do not currently support Virtualization Technology (VT).
Yes in the KB article dated October 27th, 2008.
No on the Sony Style website where the notebook has been ordered back in August 2008. Time travel not yet invented.
7. In this case, I suggest that you contact our Customer Information and Service Center to place and request. Dissatisfied customers and policy issues are handled by our Customer Information and Service Center.
Ok, so I will send an email, some developer will get it and all will be fine right? Bzzzt... Wrong!
8. Igor, I am sorry to inform you that, Telephone support is the only way to contact our Customer Information and Service Center.
Phone... again... this time I would need to call 1-239-768-7669 but I can't because...
9. In this case, you will be charged.
Well if I have to make an international call, isn't it obvious that I will be charged? D'oh!
Now, what this long (and hopefully at least a bit funny) rant tries to convey is that OEMs (not just Sony, other notebook manufacturers too) are damaging Intel's corporate image in this way.
How can I develop on Intel platform for Intel Platform using VT when I can't even turn it on?
I really need someone from Intel to help me with this issue.
Some manager on Intel Virtualization team who will pick up the phone, call a Sony representative, verbally wound his behind, rub some salt in, and demand a BIOS update A.S.A.P to be released to the customers. Or just politely ask -- whichever way works better.
Please folks, there is no one else who can resolve this!
Best regards,
Igor Levicki
Intel Black Belt
As some of you may have noticed, I have been awarded last summer with a Black Belt title, and I got a very nice notebook as a reward. It is a Sony VAIO VGN-FW190E.
Today I wanted to use Microsoft Virtual PC on it, and I realized in awe that the hardware virtualization support is disabled.
I used Everest, CPU-Z, CrystalCPUID and my own CPU info tool to verify that the P8600 actually does support VT which of course being high-end mobile 45nm part it does.
Being geeky I disassembled Virtual PC executable to check if perhaps detection doesn't work correctly and I found no flaws.
Then I consulted document order #253669 revision 29 (Intel 64 and IA-32 Architectures Software Developer's Manual Volume 3B - System Programming Guide) and in chapter 19.7 on page 156 I found that VT is controlled by MSR 0x3A bits 0, 1, and 2. I checked the contents of the MSR using CrystalCPUID MSR Editor tool and the value is 0x00000000 00000001, meaning that the VT has been disabled and the register locked.
After rebooting into BIOS I found no option to Enable/Disable VT. It is hardcoded as disabled.
I have spent two hours in chat with Sony Support. I got the following responses:
1. http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/documentLink.do?externalId=C381809
That KB article basically says that Intel VT is "currently" (since October 2008) not supported on VAIO notebooks.
2. Igor, as the Virtualization Technology is not supported, it is not possible to use the Hardware Virtualization.
In my opinion, this is giving Intel Corporation a bad name. I have Intel's latest and greatest mobile platform with not only VT but VT2 support which I cannot use simply because someone at Sony has been an incompetent cheapskate when they were configuring the BIOS modules.
3. This issue needs extensive communication. So, I suggest that you contact our Hotline Support team at 1-888-476-6972.
Well it is obvious that I can't make long distance call from Serbia and spend an hour listening to cheap elevator music until someone answers the phone and then spend another hour attempting to explain the technical nitty-gritty as I am being repeatedly told that "it is not supported".
4. BIOS updates will be released only if there are any known issues with the Computer.
Well, if this isn't a known issue then why it exists in their knowledge base? D'oh! Needless to say, BIOS is dated February 27th, 2008 so it probably doesn't even have recent microcode updates as well.
5. I suggest that you bookmark our Sony support site 'Drivers and Softwares' page to check for the latest updates.
Yeah, right. The only problem is that nowhere does it say on Sony's website "we are working on an update".
6. Igor, it is clearly mentioned that Sony VAIO computers do not currently support Virtualization Technology (VT).
Yes in the KB article dated October 27th, 2008.
No on the Sony Style website where the notebook has been ordered back in August 2008. Time travel not yet invented.
7. In this case, I suggest that you contact our Customer Information and Service Center to place and request. Dissatisfied customers and policy issues are handled by our Customer Information and Service Center.
Ok, so I will send an email, some developer will get it and all will be fine right? Bzzzt... Wrong!
8. Igor, I am sorry to inform you that, Telephone support is the only way to contact our Customer Information and Service Center.
Phone... again... this time I would need to call 1-239-768-7669 but I can't because...
9. In this case, you will be charged.
Well if I have to make an international call, isn't it obvious that I will be charged? D'oh!
Now, what this long (and hopefully at least a bit funny) rant tries to convey is that OEMs (not just Sony, other notebook manufacturers too) are damaging Intel's corporate image in this way.
How can I develop on Intel platform for Intel Platform using VT when I can't even turn it on?
I really need someone from Intel to help me with this issue.
Some manager on Intel Virtualization team who will pick up the phone, call a Sony representative, verbally wound his behind, rub some salt in, and demand a BIOS update A.S.A.P to be released to the customers. Or just politely ask -- whichever way works better.
Please folks, there is no one else who can resolve this!
Best regards,
Igor Levicki
Intel Black Belt
連結已複製
71 回應
Hi Igor
There was some progress on modifying the Insyde H2O BIOS so it means that there is a chance that a similar patch to yours could be created. Of course assuming that some skilled hackers would be interested to do it. I have managed to decompile the BIOS and have located a few places with following code fragments:000895A1 67 66 0F 01 15 lgdt [di]
000895A6 00 00 add [eax], al
000895A8 00 00 add [eax], al
000895AA 66 B8 00 00 mov ax, 0x0000
000895AE 00 00 add [eax], al
000895B0 0F 22 E0 mov cr4, eax
000895B3 66 B9 80 00 mov cx, 0x0080
000895B7 00 C0 add al, al
000895B9 0F 32 rdmsr
000895BB 80 CC 01 or ah, 0x01
000895BE 0F 30 wrmsr
000895C0 66 B8 00 00 mov ax, 0x0000
000895C4 00 00 add [eax], al
but since I am not X86 hacker I am unable to continue...
Anyway, can you at least tell me what should I look in the BIOS (basing on you experience with Phoenix BIOS)? And no, I am not going to patch it by myself, but at least maybe I will find some experienced hacker who would be interested to do it.
Thanks
Karol
Igor, thank you for this wonderful patch. I've applied it on a Sony Vaio VGN-FW21M and it worked flawlesly. One thing though, I'm using grc.com's securable to check the status of the VT feature and it shows it as Locked ON after the first reboot, and it remained like this after the first standby/resume, so maybe I won't have to enable it every time the computer boots or comes out of standby.
The content of the MSR register 0x3a was 0x00000009 before patching and 0x0000000d after patching.
The content of the MSR register 0x3a was 0x00000009 before patching and 0x0000000d after patching.
@Karol:
That code you posted doesn't have anything to do with VT setup, you are looking at the wrong spot.
Quoting - kandrei
That code you posted doesn't have anything to do with VT setup, you are looking at the wrong spot.
Quoting - kandrei
Igor, thank you for this wonderful patch. I've applied it on a Sony Vaio VGN-FW21M and it worked flawlesly. One thing though, I'm using grc.com's securable to check the status of the VT feature and it shows it as Locked ON after the first reboot, and it remained like this after the first standby/resume, so maybe I won't have to enable it every time the computer boots or comes out of standby.
The content of the MSR register 0x3a was 0x00000009 before patching and 0x0000000d after patching.
The content of the MSR register 0x3a was 0x00000009 before patching and 0x0000000d after patching.
The latest patch version turns on VT permanently, there is no need to enable it on each reboot.
Can I just say .....?
This is all a moot point for almost ALL sony vaios (except their business class, higher price vaios).
Intel DOES NOT offer VT on all of its cpus.
AMD does lately. But Intel has certain market tiers and they sell accordingly. Consumers are not expected by and large to be doing so much software development that they would use hardware virtualization to test programs on different OSes so intensely. Either intel lowers the price on the consumer cpu without VT or they raise the price on business/developer class cpus that have VT.
Changing the bios by flashing or any other hack will only change the firmware/software data. It won't actually enable HARDWARE VT because there is no HARDWARE VT to enable. You're just fooling yourself with a sign.
You can still run a virtual machine without hardware VT, you just have less speed than if you ran on a cpu with hardware VT.
As cool and admirable as this effort is to really make your computer do what you want and to escape manufacturer restrictions, this particular effort is just a fun hack that may be useful in other situations.
But with consumer vaios, it's just a bit of risk to the laptop with no real benefit in the end. It isn't Sony's fault that there's no VT, it's intel's.
Don't believe me? Just use intel's "comparison tool" on their cpu product page and then find the cpu model of any vaio (from your country's sony page of course) to see. Except for the business class vaios, I think none of them have cpus with hardware VT.
http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyID=26548
If you have a vaio with a cpu that does have VT enabled, and the bios locks you out, then great idea.
But I'm just saying be careful and you should make this clearer. A lot of people may try to do this assuming that their cpu has hardware VT, and risk their laptop for really nothing.
This is all a moot point for almost ALL sony vaios (except their business class, higher price vaios).
Intel DOES NOT offer VT on all of its cpus.
AMD does lately. But Intel has certain market tiers and they sell accordingly. Consumers are not expected by and large to be doing so much software development that they would use hardware virtualization to test programs on different OSes so intensely. Either intel lowers the price on the consumer cpu without VT or they raise the price on business/developer class cpus that have VT.
Changing the bios by flashing or any other hack will only change the firmware/software data. It won't actually enable HARDWARE VT because there is no HARDWARE VT to enable. You're just fooling yourself with a sign.
You can still run a virtual machine without hardware VT, you just have less speed than if you ran on a cpu with hardware VT.
As cool and admirable as this effort is to really make your computer do what you want and to escape manufacturer restrictions, this particular effort is just a fun hack that may be useful in other situations.
But with consumer vaios, it's just a bit of risk to the laptop with no real benefit in the end. It isn't Sony's fault that there's no VT, it's intel's.
Don't believe me? Just use intel's "comparison tool" on their cpu product page and then find the cpu model of any vaio (from your country's sony page of course) to see. Except for the business class vaios, I think none of them have cpus with hardware VT.
http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyID=26548
If you have a vaio with a cpu that does have VT enabled, and the bios locks you out, then great idea.
But I'm just saying be careful and you should make this clearer. A lot of people may try to do this assuming that their cpu has hardware VT, and risk their laptop for really nothing.
Quoting - geekster
Can I just say .....?
This is all a moot point for almost ALL sony vaios (except their business class, higher price vaios).
Intel DOES NOT offer VT on all of its cpus.
Changing the bios by flashing or any other hack will only change the firmware/software data. It won't actually enable HARDWARE VT because there is no HARDWARE VT to enable. You're just fooling yourself with a sign.
You can still run a virtual machine without hardware VT, you just have less speed than if you ran on a cpu with hardware VT.
As cool and admirable as this effort is to really make your computer do what you want and to escape manufacturer restrictions, this particular effort is just a fun hack that may be useful in other situations.
But with consumer vaios, it's just a bit of risk to the laptop with no real benefit in the end. It isn't Sony's fault that there's no VT, it's intel's.
Don't believe me? Just use intel's "comparison tool" on their cpu product page and then find the cpu model of any vaio (from your country's sony page of course) to see. Except for the business class vaios, I think none of them have cpus with hardware VT.
http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyID=26548
If you have a vaio with a cpu that does have VT enabled, and the bios locks you out, then great idea.
But I'm just saying be careful and you should make this clearer. A lot of people may try to do this assuming that their cpu has hardware VT, and risk their laptop for really nothing.
This is all a moot point for almost ALL sony vaios (except their business class, higher price vaios).
Intel DOES NOT offer VT on all of its cpus.
Changing the bios by flashing or any other hack will only change the firmware/software data. It won't actually enable HARDWARE VT because there is no HARDWARE VT to enable. You're just fooling yourself with a sign.
You can still run a virtual machine without hardware VT, you just have less speed than if you ran on a cpu with hardware VT.
As cool and admirable as this effort is to really make your computer do what you want and to escape manufacturer restrictions, this particular effort is just a fun hack that may be useful in other situations.
But with consumer vaios, it's just a bit of risk to the laptop with no real benefit in the end. It isn't Sony's fault that there's no VT, it's intel's.
Don't believe me? Just use intel's "comparison tool" on their cpu product page and then find the cpu model of any vaio (from your country's sony page of course) to see. Except for the business class vaios, I think none of them have cpus with hardware VT.
http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyID=26548
If you have a vaio with a cpu that does have VT enabled, and the bios locks you out, then great idea.
But I'm just saying be careful and you should make this clearer. A lot of people may try to do this assuming that their cpu has hardware VT, and risk their laptop for really nothing.
We all know we have Intel CPUs with VT-x enabled; I have a P8600 (R0 stepping) in my FW390 - this chip is one that Intel only ships with VT-x capability, there are 4 steppings available all with VT-x.
There are not two different versions of the CPU with VT-x and without VT-x but there may be 3 or 4 model numbers of the LAPTOP (mine is an FW390JAS) with and without VT-x with different CPUs on a sliding price scale. Since Sony let you upgrade a certain laptop part number from models with and without VT-x (the other option for me was a cheaper model with a T series processor, which does not have VT-x).
I can understand Sony may be wanting to unify their BIOS support across the processor lines, but detecting VT-x in the BIOS and showing the option to enable or disable it only on those chips that support it is not exactly difficult (most other vendors manage it just fine on desktop processors which can be swapped in and out, within reason).
The point is that we all bought Vaios and we all bought them on the understanding that - after checking Intel's Processor Finder that a chip had VT-x - we would pick a specific Vaio model to get the feature, only to find that it is locked out.
Quoting - geekster
Can I just say .....?
Sure you can, but it doesn't mean you are right.
>>Intel DOES NOT offer VT on all of its cpus.<<
Nobody said it does, but:
1. Majority of CPUs have VT
2. Sony sells majority of notebooks with VT capable CPUs and is charging the full price for the CPU even though it is locking out one of the most usefull features.
>>intel lowers the price on the consumer cpu without VT<<
Yes it does, but Sony doesn't pass the price reduction on to the consumers who buy their notebook.
>>Changing the bios by flashing or any other hack will only change the firmware/software data. It won't actually enable HARDWARE VT because there is no HARDWARE VT to enable. You're just fooling yourself with a sign.<<
You really don't have a clue, don't you?
This page says you don't:
http://processorfinder.intel.com/Details.aspx?sSpec=SLB3S
That is the CPU I have in my Sony notebook and as you can see it has hardware VT support.
>>You can still run a virtual machine without hardware VT, you just have less speed than if you ran on a cpu with hardware VT.<<
Partially true.
1. You can't run Windows XP Mode virtual machine without hardware VT in Windows 7 because latest version of Microsoft Virtual PC requires hardware VT.
2. I paid the price of a full CPU (Core 2 Duo Mobile P8600) so I want full goddamn virtualizaton speed -- I would never settle for less than that.
>>this particular effort is just a fun hack that may be useful in other situations.<<
My patch which enables hardware VT has been downloaded 2,451 times so far, and I only get "thanks" via email, Facebook, MSN and forums, and not a single complaint so far. That puts it a lot higher on a scale than you just rated it with your baseless opinion.
>>But with consumer vaios, it's just a bit of risk to the laptop with no real benefit in the end.<<
There is no risk -- patch is 100% safe. It checks that the CPU really supports hardware VT before patching.
The benefit is hardware VT enabled. Get a FW series VAIO and test it yourself -- try running Windows XP Mode with and without the patch and let us know how it goes.
>>It isn't Sony's fault that there's no VT, it's intel's.<<
That is completely untrue -- Intel's only fault is in allowing Sony to cripple the CPUs via software instead of ordering physically crippled and thus cheaper CPUs and passing the cost saving to the customers.
>>I think none of them have cpus with hardware VT.<<
There, I underlined the key difference between you and me -- you "think", and I have checked before I committed myself into doing this patch.
Check your own link, but select any other CPU family except T5xxx because we are not talking about entry level notebook models here:
http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyID=26548
You will see that almost every single one of them HAS hardware VT.
>>If you have a vaio with a cpu that does have VT enabled, and the bios locks you out, then great idea.<<
Congratulations, you finally figured it out!
We do have VAIOs with hardware VT and BIOS locks us out. That's why I made this patch. Do you really think that I would waste my time to write useless patch?!?
>>A lot of people may try to do this assuming that their cpu has hardware VT, and risk their laptop for really nothing.<<
They may try for as long as they want, and absolutely nothing will ever happen if their CPU doesn't have hardware VT support or if any other pre-requisites are not met.
I believe you owe me an apology for spreading FUD about my work.
Quoting - Igor Levicki
Well, out of 2054, only two persons managed to brick their notebooks and they got them fixed in the nearest service center. I would say that 0.1% failure rate isn't that much of a risk compared to 100% risk I have taken while I was developing the patch.
Hi Igor! I've successfully managed to patch my VAIO FW11M using your program and I registered on this forum only to say thank you. I'm so happy that virtual machines run smoother now. God bless you!
Quoting - horiae
Hi Igor! I've successfully managed to patch my VAIO FW11M using your program and I registered on this forum only to say thank you. I'm so happy that virtual machines run smoother now. God bless you!
Thank you. If you are a developer you are welcome to stay at those forums, and depending on your skill you can either learn or contribute.
Good news for those who were bugging me about VAIO Z!
It seems that people have found a way to enable VT on VAIO Z:
Enable VT on InsydeH2O based Sony VAIOTry it if you want, but don't forget that the risk is solely yours.
Quoting - bongface
I am glad you found the patch and that it worked for you.
I am sad to see that people are stealing content and hotlinking without giving me any credit for the work though.
Quoting - Igor Levicki
I am glad you found the patch and that it worked for you.
I am sad to see that people are stealing content and hotlinking without giving me any credit for the work though.
Hey Igor. I really can't thank you enough for creating this utility. It worked perfectly on my VGN-FW285J, and now I can switch to using KVM from VirtualBox on my Linux laptop. I wrote a blog post about my experience here:
http://linux.com/community/blogs/sonys-crippled-intel-vt-support.html
Is anyone from Intel still watching this topic?!?
Take a look at those lies about virtualization and your business practices which Sony tech support personnel is peddling to their customers:
Sony confirms no hardware virtualization on VAIO computers past, present, or futureWill you let them deceive customers how you are giving them a discount to disable the feature?!?
Shame on you Intel for staying so bloody quiet on this matter for so long!!!
Quoting - Igor Levicki
Is anyone from Intel still watching this topic?!?
Take a look at those lies about virtualization and your business practices which Sony tech support personnel is peddling to their customers:
Sony confirms no hardware virtualization on VAIO computers past, present, or futureWill you let them deceive customers how you are giving them a discount to disable the feature?!?
Shame on you Intel for staying so bloody quiet on this matter for so long!!!
quote:
"With the advent of XP Virtualization, there is impetus for us to relook at the situation and I can share with you that we will enable VT on select models. Though, i fear t [sic] say that the Z series will not be part of our VT-enabling effort"
Looks like we may get our FW series fixes after all :D
Quoting - Matt Sealey, Genesi USA, Inc.
quote:
"With the advent of XP Virtualization, there is impetus for us to relook at the situation and I can share with you that we will enable VT on select models. Though, i fear t [sic] say that the Z series will not be part of our VT-enabling effort"
Looks like we may get our FW series fixes after all :D
VAIO Z has also been enabled for VT recently using UEFI boot via USB method and by enabling full BIOS menus. What he says is total crap -- there are no reasons (except political) to leave Z out of equation.
As for FW we have a fix since February, thanks for letting me know about this article.
Quoting - chiazyn
heres the official email our company got from Sony on this issue
>>forwarded email<<
below is current plans for VT support.
Regarding legacy support of VT, confirmed the following models will be supported:
- Z series (Z500, Z600, Z700 series)
- SR400 series
- TT series (TT100 and TT200 series)
Misc need to knows:
- Note that not all CPUs support VT With that said, we currently support VT on the BZ series When Windows 7 will become available we will enable VT on the Z500, Z600, Z700, SR400, TT100 and TT200 series As for models to be released in the holiday 09, more news will become available once the line-up is announced to public.
Lastly, VT-enabled BIOSes will be made available through our Windows 7 upgrade program and/or the web at the time of Windows 7 release
Quoting - kristy34d
heres the official email our company got from Sony on this issue
>>forwarded email<<
below is current plans for VT support.
Regarding legacy support of VT, confirmed the following models will be supported:
- Z series (Z500, Z600, Z700 series)
- SR400 series
- TT series (TT100 and TT200 series)
Misc need to knows:
- Note that not all CPUs support VT With that said, we currently support VT on the BZ series When Windows 7 will become available we will enable VT on the Z500, Z600, Z700, SR400, TT100 and TT200 series As for models to be released in the holiday 09, more news will become available once the line-up is announced to public.
Lastly, VT-enabled BIOSes will be made available through our Windows 7 upgrade program and/or the web at the time of Windows 7 release
Great but could you please ask them what about the FW series?!?
Hi Igor;
I accidentally post the following to "Getting to know Igor Levicki, Intel Black Belt Software Developer" section. Sorry for this.
I am an academic in Bilkent University in Computer Technologies and Information Systems.
I owned a VGN-FW4ZTJ and needless to say, VT is disabled.
I am really thinking to apply your VT Patch 1.1 issued on 2009/03/04. My question is that my bios issue date is newer than your patch issue date. Do you think, my bios will be under risk if I apply your patch because of issuing dates/versions? (I know, this is the dumbest question, you may ever have but the problem is very frustrating).
My current bios spec is as follows:
Provider: American Megatrends Inc.
Version: R3100Y0
Issue Date: 04/22/2009
Size: 2048 KB
Ability: Flash BIOS, Shadow BIOS, Selectable Boot, EDD, BBS, Smart Battery
Standards: DMI, ACPI, ESCD, PnP
Thank your for your efforts for Sony Vaio users. If you don't exist, we won't have any other option than the customer support's "There is no virtualization" sentences.
Best regards...
