VirtualBox solved VERR_VMX_MSR_LOCKED_OR_DISABLED
While creating a Ubuntu 12.10 machine VirtualBox I ran into an error – VirtualBox VERR_VMX_MSR_LOCKED_OR_DISABLED – on my company issued HP ProBook. This halts the startup process of the virtual machine. You won’t be able to use it.
Here is the complete log and a screenshot:
Failed to open a session for the virtual machine Ubuntu 12.10.
VT-x features locked or unavailable in MSR. (VERR_VMX_MSR_LOCKED_OR_DISABLED).
Result Code: E_FAIL (0x80004005)
Component: Console
Interface: IConsole {db7ab4ca-2a3f-4183-9243-c1208da92392}
I remembered that there were issue were issues with HP bios from the VirtualBox FAQ using ENABLE VT-X/AMD-V:
some HP BIOSES have a glitch, When You ENABLE VT-X/AMD-V, You DISABLE it, so do try both ways.
So the first solution I tried was to uncheck the box to ENABLE VT-X/AMD-V. That solved my problem. Now VirtualBox was able to start my Ubuntu machine. Check the screenshot how to disable (or enable the) VT-X/AMD-V setting.
Yep, I know this is against the advice I gave to improve VirtualBox performance. However I need it on this hardware to get my machines running…