Can't enable virtualization in T410 BIOS

[kenatsun]

I need to enable hardware-assisted virtualization in my ThinkPad T410 (details below), in order to install Windows XP Mode in this Win7 environment, in order to run some old apps that are too expensive to replace.

Here's what I have tried so far, and the results:

1. I have used the process for changing BIOS to enable virtualization that has been described at http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/T400-T500-a ... 282#M27914 and no doubt many other places.
2. My problem is exactly the one described in that message thread: In the BIOS setup, when I get to the BIOS->Config->CPU-> Intel Virtualization Technology and ...->Intel VT--d settings, I can't reset them. That is, putting the cursor in those fields and pushing the F5 or F6 keys, which are supposed to toggle the values in those fields, does nothing. Nor does pressing any other key.
3. I am able to reset at least some other BIOS settings, and the F5/F6 keys work OK there. For example, I successfully swapped the Fn and Ctrl keys. The point is, I can change some BIOS settings.
4. The supervisor password is disabled. An enabled supervisor pw apparently was the problem in the thread referenced above, but not in my case.

Here's system data:

Model 253722U
Number of processor cores 2
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU M 520 @ 2.40GHz 6.7
Memory (RAM) 2.00 GB 5.5
Primary hard disk 219GB Free (287GB Total) 5.9
Windows 7 Professional
System type 64-bit operating system
BIOS: 6IET85WW (updated 4/10/2014)

~ Thanks in advance!
~ Ken

[nikki605]

I have been running Windows Virtual PC with Windows XP Mode for several years on my T410 Win7 x64 laptop with no problem. I think you may be confusing Intel Virtualization Technology with Intel VT-d (Directed I/O).

Of those 2 BIOS options, I only have Virtualization Technology enabled, not VT-d. I don't pretend to know the technical differences between the two, but Virtualization Technology is the only one I know of that needs to be enabled to run Win XP Mode.

Second, the F5/F6 keys are not used to change values in this screen.

See my screen shot http://i62.tinypic.com/2ds0gg5.jpg

Use the up and down arrow keys to highlight [Enter] then press the 'Enter' key on your keyboard to bring up the blue Enabled/Disabled selection screen. Use the up and down arrow keys to highlight your selection and then press the 'Enter' key on your keyboard.

After making all your changes, press F10 to Save and Exit the BIOS setup.

But again, I do not have VT-d enabled in my BIOS and Win XP Mode is working fine.

[kenatsun]

Thank you, niikki! The trick I was missing was to push the Enter key when I got my cursor into that field in the BIOS setup. Who woulda guessed that? (Obviously, not me.)

~ Tx again, Ken