Does VirtualBox run 64-bit guests on a 32-bit host?

Question

Please, how can I run 64-bit guests on a 32-bit host?

I have Oracle VM Virtualbox 4.3.12. When I choose:

I can only find 32-bit. My host CPU is Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T6600 @ 2.20GHz.

from cat /proc/cpuinfo processor:

flags : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush mmx fxsr sse sse2 constant_tsc pni monitor ssse3 bogomips

Solution 1

Your CPU does not provide VT-x harware virtualization needed for running a 64-bit guest OS in a 32-bit host. There is nothing we can do to overcome this.

In order to still be able to run a 64-bit application (as was said in a comment) let me suggest you run Ubuntu 64-bit either by a dual-boot, or as a live system from USB. A live system in persistence mode allows to save files in a reserved area.

Alternatively it is also possible to completely install a bootable Ubuntu on a USB drive/key:

• How do I install Ubuntu to a USB key? (without using Startup Disk Creator)

Solution 2

Support for 64-bit guests requires CPU virtualization support in the host, A.K.A. VT-x (or AMD-v). You need to verify that your CPU has this feature.

Navigate to BIOS and enable it if it’s supported by your CPU, try to google your CPU Specs.

Conditions for running 64-bit guests on 32-bit hosts:

VirtualBox supports 64-bit guest operating systems, even on 32-bit host operating systems, provided that the following conditions are met:

• You need a 64-bit processor with hardware virtualization support (see Section 10.3, “Hardware vs. software virtualization”).

• You must enable hardware virtualization for the particular VM for which you want 64-bit support; software virtualization is not supported for 64-bit VMs.

• If you want to use 64-bit guest support on a 32-bit host operating system, you must also select a 64-bit operating system for the particular VM. Since supporting 64 bits on 32-bit hosts incurs additional overhead, VirtualBox only enables this support upon explicit request.

• On 64-bit hosts (which typically come with hardware virtualization support), 64-bit guest operating systems are always supported regardless of settings, so you can simply install a 64-bit operating system in the guest.

• Warning

  On any host, you should enable the I/O APIC for virtual machines that you intend to use in 64-bit mode. This is especially true for 64-bit Windows VMs. See Section 3.3.2, “"Advanced" tab”. In addition, for 64-bit Windows guests, you should make sure that the VM uses the Intel networking device, since there is no 64-bit driver support for the AMD PCNet card; see Section 6.1, “Virtual networking hardware”.

Comments

[Danatela]

Your screenshot is from Windows version of VirtualBox. Which makes your question off-topic.

[researcher]

My CPU is: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T6600 @ 2.20GHz

[nux]

thats not what you should know , you should see if it support VT-x or AMD -v

[researcher]

ark.intel.com/fr/products/37255/… Technologie de virtualisation Intel® (VT-x) ‡ No

[nux]

then you could not run 64 bit system

[researcher]

OK, i ask, please if there is x86-64 virtual machine , i said perharps, it works on my machine ? i'm really blocked because i have to work with a tool which run only on 64bit !!!

[nux]

try to download it from source then compile it

[bain]

@researcher Why don't you just install Ubuntu 64-bit and use that as host?

[researcher]

i can't install ubuntu 64bit on my host: 32bit!

[researcher]

Ok,i will try this solution.. Please, where can i find unbutu 12 64bits intel ? i founded only AMD which is not compatible with my host! releases.ubuntu.com/12.04

[Takkat]

Intel 64-bit CPUs use AM64 architecture. That's the one you need.

[researcher]

ok i will try ubuntu-12.04.4-desktop-amd64.iso with USB.. Thanks a lot.

[researcher]

Please i have a question, in my host i have windows 7 32bits, it's necessarly that the cpu is in 32 bits ? where can i find if my processor is 32bits or 64 bits ? Thanks a lot.

[researcher]

So the problem is just on the OS 32 bits ? if i install windows 7 64 bits and my vm, i can then install my tool ?

[Takkat]

Well, it should, but I never tried. There may be issues with installing Windows 7 64-bit on that CPU, you need to do some research before you proceed.