How to enable support of CPU virtualization on Mac

Question

I have the VirtualBox installed on my Macbook Pro, and I want to install a linux VM on VirtualBox. When I launched the new VM, it prompts that "Your CPU does not support long mode. Use a 32bit distribution."

After searching for this problem, I found that support of CPU virtualization is required for this VM. Then I checked on my Macbook and its CPU is i7 which supports virtualization. So I guess the problem is related to the OS or EFI version?

OS version: 10.6.8 / EFI version: latest (check on apple.com)

Does anyone know what's the problem of my Macbook? How can I enable the support of CPU virtualization?

Answer 1

CPU Virtualization is enabled by default on all MacBooks with compatible CPUs (i7 is compatible). You can try to reset PRAM if you think it was disabled somehow, but I doubt it.

I think the issue might be in the old version of OS. If your MacBook is i7, then you better upgrade OS to something newer.

Answer 2

Here is a way to check is virtualization is enabled or disabled by the firmware as suggested by this link in parallels.com.

How to check that Intel VT-x is supported in CPU:

1. Open Terminal application from Application/Utilities

2. Copy/paste command bellow

sysctl -a | grep machdep.cpu.features

3. You may see output similar to:

Mac:~ user$ sysctl -a | grep machdep.cpu.features kern.exec: unknown type returned machdep.cpu.features: FPU VME DE PSE TSC MSR PAE MCE CX8 APIC SEP MTRR PGE MCA CMOV PAT CLFSH DS ACPI MMX FXSR SSE SSE2 SS HTT TM SSE3 MON VMX EST TM2 TPR PDCM

If you see VMX entry then CPU supports Intel VT-x feature, but it still may be disabled.

Refer to this link on Apple.com to enable hardware support for virtualization:

Answer 3

By default the virtualization support for your processor (Intel-VT) is enabled. But if not, try this link. It may be helpful:

https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/27264/how-to-turn-on-intel-vt-in-macbook-pro-2011-mc721ll-a