CPU/Mobo XP Mode trouble for Intel CPUs

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hatter

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Some of the most popular PCs on the market today, equipped with fast and powerful dual- and quad-core CPUs, won't be able to use the vaunted Windows XP Mode in Windows 7.

When Windows Vista launched, Intel and Microsoft both got a black eye over the infamous "Vista Capable" logo. That sticker was slapped on PCs running some of Intel's most popular graphics chips, even though they wouldn't run the new Aero graphics. Microsoft is still battling in court with angry customers (and their lawyers) who felt betrayed by that marketing campaign.

Now, three years later, it appears to be time for the "Vista Capable" sequel. How much positive Windows 7 buzz will be wiped out in coming weeks and months when consumers and business buyers discover that a heavily hyped new Windows 7 feature, XP Mode, won't work on some Intel-based products? The problem is caused by the Byzantine way Intel packages its CPU technology, adding, removing, and tweaking features like bus speed and cache size to hit the widest variety of price points for PC makers.

The new Windows Virtual PC (now available as a beta release for the Windows 7 Release Candidate) requires hardware-assisted virtualization. For your PC to run XP Mode in Windows 7, the CPU has to support Intel Virtualization Technology (Intel VT) or AMD Virtualization (AMD-V), and this support has to be enabled in the BIOS.

In the case of Intel's phenomenally confusing product matrix, VT support is added and removed from CPU models for reasons that have more to do with marketing than technology. You can't necessarily tell from the model number whether VT support is present or not. If you buy a brand-new PC and pick the wrong CPU, Windows Virtual PC won't be able to host the virtual machine that powers XP Mode. And spending more money can actually hurt you in some configurations.
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My E7300 won't support XP Mode :@ :@ :@
How many Intel CPUs will fail the XP Mode test in Windows 7? | Ed Bott’s Microsoft Report | ZDNet.com
 
Except that this feature has hardly been heavily hyped (it was under wraps till a week ago!), and is only targeted to Enterprises (hence no presence at all on Home Premium) and the minimum requirements for it are specific....
 
I don't see the need for general public to get so hyped about this feature.. Guys this is not the compatibility mode, its not meant for running your games.

XP mode feature is for the enterprises whose custom made software don't go well with Windows 7.
 
To check whether your system CPU supports virtualisation, use this small portable utility - GRC|SecurAble: Determine Processor Security Features|

Sad marketing techniques to force ppl to upgrade proccys
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What bullshit! This is a virtualising technology, catered to meet the specific needs of the enterprises. This isn't aimed at the general public. Even if it might have worked without it, i say its good they are keeping the minimum levels high. We all remember the crap they did with Vista minimum requirement settings.

And if you do want to run a Virtual PC, i believe you will be able to run the general Virtualisation softwares. XP Mode is something better, and requires some basic hardware.
 
KingKrool said:
Note that Semprons don't have AMD-V, according to wikipedia anyway.
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LOL, who would want to run Windows 7 on a Sempron, and that too with XP Mode running in the background!!
 
Now E5XXX and E7XXX has VT. Intel has will be making an update to five of its processors, in order to add support for Intel Virtualization Technology. The CPUs which will get their virtualization on are the tray Core 2 Quad Q8300, the Core 2 Duo E7500 and E7400, and the Pentium E5400 and E5300.

According to Intel, the VT-enhanced versions of the mentioned chips will start being delivered on June 12 and since they'll feature new S-spec and MM numbers they may require a BIOS update (to enable the virtualization tech).
 
I always thought excluding VT from certain processors was a bad idea. Though its presence is not critical, its still a pretty useful technology even from a home user perspective. As a home user, I myself make good use of VT through Virtual Box. I was able to run two favors of Linux and Vista Ultimate on top of Windows XP and all OS were still pretty usable. Its a good option for people who want to try out the beta/just released versions of Linux/Windows without having to partition and install separately.

Anyways the XP mode trouble as claimed here is not really a serious problem for either Intel or MS. Those who have enough to pay for a legit copy of Window 7 would probably anyway have an decent Intel processor with VT and those who pirate can always install a separate copy of Win XP in parallel.
 
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