Enable virtualization on MSI B450 Tomahawk Motherboard for Gnome Boxes

18 July, 2021 - 12:12
Debian in Boxes

Gnome Boxes is an easy way to quickly try out other Linux distributions, for example the current or next release of Debian (Unofficial non-free images including firmware packages).

You simply download the ISO-file and spin it up virtually in Boxes, without actually installing it.

Install Boxes in Ubuntu 20.04:

$ flatpak install flathub org.gnome.Boxes

Note: Command found at the Gnome Boxes page, where the "Install" button doesn't work for Ubuntu 20.04: https://flathub.org/apps/details/org.gnome.Boxes

You can also install with this command, but then you can't run the Gnome OS nightly build, to test the latest version.

$ sudo apt install gnome-boxes

You need to enable virtualization in the BIOS, and this is how you enable virtualization on the MSI B450 Tomahawk Motherboard:

  • Reboot and press "Delete" key about once a second to enter BIOS
  • Select "OC" (”Overclocking Settings”)
  • Scroll down to "CPU Features"
  • Change "SVM Mode" to "Enabled"
  • Click ”Settings” > ”Save & Exit” > ”Save Changes & Reboot”

Check if virtualization is enabled and KVM module loaded:

$ gnome-boxes --checks
The CPU is capable of virtualization: yes
The KVM module is loaded: yes