Attempting to load a 64-bit application, however this CPU is not compatible with 64-bit mode

Hi,

I have Dell Poweredge R710 server. When I am trying to load VMWare on 64 bit Vista as a guest but there is an error messege:

File: \windows\system32\boot\winload.exe
Status: 0x000035a

Info: Attempting to load a 64-bit application, however this cpu is not compatible with 64-bit mode.

Does the motherboard support for 64-bit CPUs? If you want to check how many bits does your motherboard support, run cpuz, to see if you have 64-bit support in the CPU. You can have a 64bit processor but if the board doesn't support it you can't use it like that. For VPC 2007, An 64 bit OS can only be installed on a 64 bit host. An 32 bit OS can be installed on both a 64 and a 32 bit host.

Are you trying to upgrade from 32-bit? If that is the case you cannot. You need to do a clean install, do not forget to backup all your data. To ensure that the CPU was actually able to run 64-bit, I downloaded and run the Workstation Processor Check for 64-Bit Compatibility. As expected, this tool showed that the CPU should work fine with a 64-bit operating system performance.

If you get this error using VMWare ESX 4.0 it is because either your CPU does not meet the minimum hardware requirements for 64bit guest operating systems or you have not properly configured the host hardware. You need to enable Virtualization Technology in the BIOS. Dell has this disabled by default. Reboot and press F2. It is under the Processor settings.

For Windows 2008 Server, you get an error message : Attempting to load a 64-bit application, however this CPU is not compatible with 64-bit mode.

For Windows 2003 Server, you get an error message : Attempting to load an x64 operating system, however this CPU is not compatible with x64 mode. Please install a 32-bin X86 operating system.
There is no 64bit support for VMI when using ESX 3.5.x or lower.

To power on 64bit guest operating systems, you must disable VMI:
1. Select the virtual machine in VMware Infrastructure Client.
2. Click Edit Settings > Options > Advanced.
3. Deselect Paravirtualization.

Source : kb.vmware

To start install 64bit virtual machines, Intel Virtualization Technology (VT) must be enabled in the BIOS of the host machine. You would found it in advanced processor configuration. I have R710 too, I had the same problem with MS 2003 server 64bit version install.