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Symptoms

Consider the following scenario:

  • You have an Intel CPU that supports the Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX) feature on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 R2.

    Note Intel introduces support for the AVX feature in the Sandy Bridge processor family.

  • You install the Hyper-V server role on the computer.

  • You try to start a virtual machine after you create the virtual machine on the computer.

In this scenario, you cannot start the virtual machine. Additionally, you receive an error message that resembles one of the following error messages:

An error occurred while attempting to start the selected virtual machine(s).
<virtual machine name> could not initialize


<virtual machine name> could not initialize. (Virtual machine ID <virtual machine GUID>)

Also, an Event 3040 is logged in the Hyper-V-Worker node under Applications and Services Logs that contains an error message that resembles the following:

<virtual machine name> Failed to set/change partition property

Cause

This issue occurs because Windows Server 2008 R2 does not support the AVX feature.

Resolution

Note This hotfix package disables the AVX feature on the virtual processors so that the virtual machines can start successfully. You must upgrade to Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 to support the AVX feature so that the virtual machines can run as expected and to take advantage of the AVX instructions.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft website:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=supportNote The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, the computer must be running Windows Server 2008 R2, and the Hyper-V server role must be installed.

Registry information

To use the hotfix in this package, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

File information

The global version of this hotfix installs files that have the attributes that are listed in the following tables. The dates and the times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The dates and the times for these files on your local computer are displayed in your local time together with your current daylight saving time (DST) bias. Additionally, the dates and the times may change when you perform certain operations on the files.

Windows Server 2008 R2 file information notes
  • The files that apply to a specific product, milestone (RTM, SPn), and service branch (LDR, GDR) can be identified by examining the file version numbers as shown in the following table:

    Version

    Product

    Milestone

    Service branch

    6.1.760
    0.16xxx

    Windows Server 2008 R2

    RTM

    GDR

    6.1.760
    0.20xxx

    Windows Server 2008 R2

    RTM

    LDR

  • The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 R2" section. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are extremely important to maintain the state of the updated components. The security catalog files, for which the attributes are not listed, are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2

File name

File version

File size

Date

Time

Platform

Hvax64.exe

6.1.7600.16774

634,368

05-Mar-2011

03:40

x64

Hvboot.sys

6.1.7600.16774

117,632

05-Mar-2011

06:26

x64

Hvix64.exe

6.1.7600.16774

686,592

05-Mar-2011

03:40

x64

Hvax64.exe

6.1.7600.20916

634,368

05-Mar-2011

03:41

x64

Hvboot.sys

6.1.7600.20916

117,632

05-Mar-2011

06:30

x64

Hvix64.exe

6.1.7600.20916

686,592

05-Mar-2011

03:41

x64

Workaround

Workaround for Windows Server 2008 R2

To work around this issue, you can force compatible CPU flags by setting a WMI property. This property is inaccessible from any user interface (UI). However, this property is documented on the Microsoft Software Developer Network (MSDN) website. You may have to perform this workaround for all virtual machines that are created. The change is persistent after the computer restarts. However, there are two known issues when you perform this workaround. Also, see the following sample Windows PowerShell script.

  • The workaround also sets compatibility for other CPU features such as Cache line size. Therefore, the virtual machines cannot use the full capabilities of the CPU.

  • The workaround is required to be run every time that a new virtual machine is created.

The following is a sample Windows PowerShell script. LimitProcFeatures.ps1:

$VirtualMachines = gwmi -namespace "root\virtualization" Msvm_ComputerSystem
$VMManagementService = Get-WmiObject -Namespace "root\virtualization" -Class Msvm_VirtualSystemManagementService

foreach ($vm in $VirtualMachines)
{
$vmName = $vm.Name
$vmElementName = $vm.ElementName
if(!$vm.Caption.Contains("Hosting Computer System"))
{
Write-Output "Limiting $vmElementName CPU features"
$VMProcessors = (gwmi -namespace "root\virtualization" Msvm_ProcessorSettingData) | where { $_.InstanceID -match "Microsoft:$vmName.*" }
$VMProcessors | foreach { $_.LimitProcessorFeatures = $true}
$retValue = $VMProcessors | foreach {$VMManagementService.ModifyVirtualSystemResources($vm.__PATH, $_.GetText([System.Management.TextFormat]::WmiDtd20) )}
if(!$retValue.ReturnValue)
{
Write-Output "Success";
}
}
}

Status

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.

More Information

For more information about the AVX feature, visit the following Intel website:

General information about the AVX featureFor more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

Additional file information


Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 R2

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2

File name

Amd64_7592163787ae17c6846e4fb2b40f8f5a_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.20916_none_7de78a62dc4f2890.manifest

File version

Not applicable

File size

710

Date (UTC)

05-Mar-2011

Time (UTC)

08:43

Platform

Not applicable

File name

Amd64_f19b40c4485ced443925c7cae3f5dd26_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16774_none_1c5e1475a6ccebec.manifest

File version

Not applicable

File size

710

Date (UTC)

05-Mar-2011

Time (UTC)

08:43

Platform

Not applicable

File name

Amd64_microsoft-hyper-v-drivers-hypervisor_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16774_none_8c501c427f2f0db2.manifest

File version

Not applicable

File size

4,163

Date (UTC)

05-Mar-2011

Time (UTC)

07:03

Platform

Not applicable

File name

Amd64_microsoft-hyper-v-drivers-hypervisor_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.20916_none_8d1c9b0f981a35ab.manifest

File version

Not applicable

File size

4,163

Date (UTC)

05-Mar-2011

Time (UTC)

07:13

Platform

Not applicable

File name

Update.mum

File version

Not applicable

File size

1,462

Date (UTC)

05-Mar-2011

Time (UTC)

08:43

Platform

Not applicable

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