BIOS bug causes Bluescreen when using Windows Subsystem for Linux/virtualization

[unnamedguy]

There is a bug in the BIOS of the Omen 15 lineup which results in an instant crash of Windows 10 when Intel VT-x instructions (those for virtualization) are enabled in the BIOS settings. These instructions are needed for Windows Subsystem for Linux and (more importantly) for virtualization in general.

More specifically, this happens when Microsoft Virtualization Platform is enabled. This is a requirement for the above to function.

When the following conditions are met, the problem occurs:

• Intel VT-x is enabled in BIOS
• Microsoft Virtualization Platform is enabled

To enable the platform, one can issue the following command in Windows 10:

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

Or follow this tutorial in complete: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-win10

Windows Subsystem for Linux is also part of Windows 10 Home edition. As HP sells those laptops with Windows 10 pre-installed I'd expect them to deliver a BIOS fix for this.

Here are other people having the same issue:

• https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/issues/5911#issuecomment-747966176
• https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/issues/5911#issuecomment-758814254
• https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/issues/5911#issuecomment-758829445
• https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/issues/4784#issuecomment-753021908
• https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/issues/4784#issuecomment-672017676
• https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/issues/4784#issuecomment-754006170

They mention that HP told them that a fix wouldn't be delivered even though this is a feature available in an operating system sold with the laptop. This is not acceptable.

Other manufacturers had the same problem and delivered a fix as can be seen here: https://www.reddit.com/r/XMG_gg/comments/kb1p9i/solution_for_hyperv_and_wsl2_issues_on_various/

My exact versions are:

• Windows 10 64bit 20H2 10.0.19042 Build 19042
• BIOS Version/Date AMI F.07 Rev A, Oct. 05 2020

Please redirect this to the technical department, confirm the issue and tell whether a BIOS fix will be provided or not. If no, please state this clearly so I can use this as a proof to the shipper of the device to return it as malfunctioning.

Thank you.

[praveenbv]

@unnamedguy,

You have done the basic troubleshooting as per the document and the notebook needs to checked taking remote access so that get to know it's a hardware or software issue.

I'd suggest you contact HP in your region regarding the service options for your computer or HP Chat Support Team.

Keep me posted. Happy to help!

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[unnamedguy]

This guy has the same issue: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Gaming-Notebooks/WSL-2-Enabling-Virtual-Machine-Platform-feature-cause...