BIOS Update to Enable Intel Virtualization

[sapibobo]

Lenovo have updated its Thinkpad BIOS program that can enable Intel Virtualization Technology in Intel based system.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-64409

That address is for ThinkPad Z61e, Z61m, Z61p, Z61t only. I believe other series is supported as well.

I want to ask, is it worth it to have Intel VT enabled in Thinkpad? I never use any guest OS, never need it anyway.

I just thought maybe it can make the core duo processor work faster?

[jkahng]

thanks for the heads up...
i've been waiting for this.

[Bob34]

Hmm enabling it wouldn't slow anything down right? I plan on reinstalling VM into my system once I buy a second hard drive.

[FRiC]

Hmmf. I just bought a T60 so I can get VT. If this had come out just a few days earlier, I would've bought a Z61t instead.

Enabling VT offers two benefits for virtualization software: 1- speed up guest OS if the virtualization software doesn't have specific guest OS drivers (or before the drivers are installed); and 2- allow installing guest OS's without modification, such as installing Windows XP in some Linux virtualization software.

[srirams]

does the bios update actually add the virtualization option for anyone? I installed the update, and don't see anything...

[FRiC]

does the bios update actually add the virtualization option for anyone? I installed the update, and don't see anything...

What CPU? Intel VT is not avaliable on Core Duo below T2300 and Core 2 Duo T5500.

(Edited to fix mistake.)

[jkahng]

cpus that support vt
core duo
http://www.intel.com/products/processor ... /specs.htm

core 2 duo (you need to filter for vt)
http://processorfinder.intel.com/List.a ... =&OrdCode=

as you can see, VT is avail for most core duo cpus. it's 64bit os that core duo cannot support...

[srirams]

ah, ok that's the problem. I have a T5500.... didn't realize that not all core 2 duos have virtualization.

[z/svc]

cpus that support vt
core duo
http://www.intel.com/products/processor ... /specs.htm

as you can see, VT is avail for most core duo cpus. it's 64bit os that core duo cannot support...

So now I am really dissapointed. My Z61m has T2300E which is the ONLY one Core Duo processor WIHTOUT VT. How anyone in Lenovo could had an idea to put T2300E instead of T2300 into this laptop? There are NOT differences between T2300 and T2300E BUT the VT. Really dissapointing...

[FRiC]

So now I am really dissapointed. My Z61m has T2300E which is the ONLY one Core Duo processor WIHTOUT VT. How anyone in Lenovo could had an idea to put T2300E instead of T2300 into this laptop? There are NOT differences between T2300 and T2300E BUT the VT. Really dissapointing...

The reason was that the T2300E was significantly cheaper than the T2300, and it's meant for lower-end markets where the buyer would probably care more for "Dual Core" than "Intel VT". At least Lenovo listed "T2300E" clearly in their spec sheets, there were some manufacturers that got into lawsuits for not differentiating between the two.

There are other even lower-end Core Duo's without VT and have a lower bus speed. They don't even get to be listed on Intel's site.

[jkahng]

guys, you should look at this...
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=43626
brent presley very well known here and many people have and will vouche for him.

i think it would be a VERY reasonable upgrade as a retail t7200 costs about USD350.00 (in korea of course)