HWiNFO64 v.4.48 shows VMX is disabled

[Amigo]

The software somehow shows VMX is disabled. I checked the BIOS, it's enabled there (feature called "virtualization"). Is it really disabled and do I need to enable it?

 

[Martin]

I think VMX is really disabled on your machine (maybe a BIOS bug, or on OS level), but to be sure please attach the HWiNFO Debug File to check in detail.

 

[Amigo]

Here's the file attached.

 

[Martin]

The dump confirms VMX is not enabled in your system.
To get another opinion, I suggest to try the "Microsoft® Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool", which you can download here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=592
Please let me know the results.

 

[Amigo]

The tool you suggested doesn't work for win 8. I tried Intel® Processor Identification Utility instead and it sure says the processor supports VMX. It doesn't say whether it's enabled or not.
Would appreciate your advise on how to enable it.

 

[Martin]

I suggest to contact DELL/Alienware since they are the manufacturer and it might be a bug in the BIOS.

 

[Amigo]

Update on this. A couple of days days ago I did a clean install of Windows 8.1 on my laptop. After that VMX did appear as enabled (green in HWiNFO) but today I've noticed VMX was red again. How's that even possible? I did update BIOS to A10 during clean install but I didn't make any changes in it. I did install XTU just to check what it shows but again I didn't make any changes in it as well and then uninstalled it.

 

[Martin]

I'm not sure what it could be, but it disabled VMX and locks the register so it can't be enabled until next reboot.
Maybe some update or tool you have installed ?

 

[Amigo]

I think it is because of some overclocking software. VMX got disabled after I installed XTU and recently after I installed MSI afterburner.