diff --git a/vm/archlinux-vm.sh b/vm/archlinux-vm.sh
index cbd966c8b..a6b3385f9 100644
--- a/vm/archlinux-vm.sh
+++ b/vm/archlinux-vm.sh
@@ -335,16 +335,18 @@ function advanced_settings() {
     exit-script
   fi
 
-  if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
-    if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then
-      CORE_COUNT="2"
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+  while true; do
+    if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then CORE_COUNT="2"; fi
+      if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 2)." 8 58
     else
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+      exit-script
     fi
-  else
-    exit-script
-  fi
+  done
 
   if RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 2048 --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
     if [ -z "$RAM_SIZE" ]; then
diff --git a/vm/debian-13-vm.sh b/vm/debian-13-vm.sh
index e0493a81e..92606b338 100644
--- a/vm/debian-13-vm.sh
+++ b/vm/debian-13-vm.sh
@@ -350,16 +350,18 @@ function advanced_settings() {
     exit-script
   fi
 
-  if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
-    if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then
-      CORE_COUNT="2"
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+  while true; do
+    if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then CORE_COUNT="2"; fi
+      if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 2)." 8 58
     else
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+      exit-script
     fi
-  else
-    exit-script
-  fi
+  done
 
   if RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 2048 --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
     if [ -z "$RAM_SIZE" ]; then
diff --git a/vm/debian-vm.sh b/vm/debian-vm.sh
index 6081ebc83..3344dd325 100644
--- a/vm/debian-vm.sh
+++ b/vm/debian-vm.sh
@@ -340,18 +340,18 @@ function advanced_settings() {
     exit-script
   fi
 
-  if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
-    if [ -z $CORE_COUNT ]; then
-      CORE_COUNT="2"
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+  while true; do
+    if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then CORE_COUNT="2"; fi
+      if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 2)." 8 58
     else
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+      exit-script
     fi
-  else
-    exit-script
-  fi
-
-  if RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 2048 --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+  done --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
     if [ -z $RAM_SIZE ]; then
       RAM_SIZE="2048"
       echo -e "${RAMSIZE}${BOLD}${DGN}RAM Size: ${BGN}$RAM_SIZE${CL}"
diff --git a/vm/docker-vm.sh b/vm/docker-vm.sh
index 45adb5608..06c0a5d79 100644
--- a/vm/docker-vm.sh
+++ b/vm/docker-vm.sh
@@ -278,14 +278,18 @@ function advanced_settings() {
   fi
 
   # CPU Cores
-  if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
-    if [ -z $CORE_COUNT ]; then
-      CORE_COUNT="2"
+  while true; do
+    if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then CORE_COUNT="2"; fi
+      if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 2)." 8 58
+    else
+      exit_script
     fi
-    echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
-  else
-    exit_script
-  fi
+  done
 
   # RAM Size
   if RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 4096 --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
diff --git a/vm/haos-vm.sh b/vm/haos-vm.sh
index bed97a588..8955b0263 100644
--- a/vm/haos-vm.sh
+++ b/vm/haos-vm.sh
@@ -419,16 +419,18 @@ function advanced_settings() {
     exit-script
   fi
 
-  if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
-    if [ -z $CORE_COUNT ]; then
-      CORE_COUNT="2"
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+  while true; do
+    if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then CORE_COUNT="2"; fi
+      if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 2)." 8 58
     else
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+      exit-script
     fi
-  else
-    exit-script
-  fi
+  done
 
   if RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 2048 --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
     if [ -z $RAM_SIZE ]; then
diff --git a/vm/mikrotik-routeros.sh b/vm/mikrotik-routeros.sh
index 0b383e8c1..950f09410 100644
--- a/vm/mikrotik-routeros.sh
+++ b/vm/mikrotik-routeros.sh
@@ -402,16 +402,18 @@ function advanced_settings() {
     exit-script
   fi
 
-  if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
-    if [ -z $CORE_COUNT ]; then
-      CORE_COUNT="2"
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+  while true; do
+    if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then CORE_COUNT="2"; fi
+      if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 2)." 8 58
     else
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+      exit-script
     fi
-  else
-    exit-script
-  fi
+  done
 
   if RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 2048 --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
     if [ -z $RAM_SIZE ]; then
diff --git a/vm/nextcloud-vm.sh b/vm/nextcloud-vm.sh
index 460e4f07f..e17a1d798 100644
--- a/vm/nextcloud-vm.sh
+++ b/vm/nextcloud-vm.sh
@@ -338,16 +338,18 @@ function advanced_settings() {
     exit-script
   fi
 
-  if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
-    if [ -z $CORE_COUNT ]; then
-      CORE_COUNT="2"
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+  while true; do
+    if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then CORE_COUNT="2"; fi
+      if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 2)." 8 58
     else
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+      exit-script
     fi
-  else
-    exit-script
-  fi
+  done
 
   if RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 2048 --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
     if [ -z $RAM_SIZE ]; then
diff --git a/vm/openwrt-vm.sh b/vm/openwrt-vm.sh
index 4260a3be6..453080697 100644
--- a/vm/openwrt-vm.sh
+++ b/vm/openwrt-vm.sh
@@ -338,14 +338,18 @@ function advanced_settings() {
     exit-script
   fi
 
-  if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 1 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
-    if [ -z $CORE_COUNT ]; then
-      CORE_COUNT="1"
+  while true; do
+    if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 1 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then CORE_COUNT="1"; fi
+      if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${DGN}Allocated Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 1)." 8 58
+    else
+      exit-script
     fi
-    echo -e "${DGN}Allocated Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
-  else
-    exit-script
-  fi
+  done
 
   if RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 256 --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
     if [ -z $RAM_SIZE ]; then
diff --git a/vm/opnsense-vm.sh b/vm/opnsense-vm.sh
index 243f02108..1854f36f6 100644
--- a/vm/opnsense-vm.sh
+++ b/vm/opnsense-vm.sh
@@ -431,14 +431,18 @@ function advanced_settings() {
     exit-script
   fi
 
-  if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 4 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
-    if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then
-      CORE_COUNT="2"
+  while true; do
+    if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 4 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then CORE_COUNT="4"; fi
+      if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${DGN}Allocated Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 4)." 8 58
+    else
+      exit-script
     fi
-    echo -e "${DGN}Allocated Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
-  else
-    exit-script
-  fi
+  done
 
   if RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 8192 --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
     if [ -z $RAM_SIZE ]; then
diff --git a/vm/owncloud-vm.sh b/vm/owncloud-vm.sh
index 7738ecbb8..20fec0b9c 100644
--- a/vm/owncloud-vm.sh
+++ b/vm/owncloud-vm.sh
@@ -339,16 +339,18 @@ function advanced_settings() {
     exit-script
   fi
 
-  if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
-    if [ -z $CORE_COUNT ]; then
-      CORE_COUNT="2"
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+  while true; do
+    if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then CORE_COUNT="2"; fi
+      if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 2)." 8 58
     else
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+      exit-script
     fi
-  else
-    exit-script
-  fi
+  done
 
   if RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 2048 --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
     if [ -z $RAM_SIZE ]; then
diff --git a/vm/pimox-haos-vm.sh b/vm/pimox-haos-vm.sh
index 708be777f..14ce6c69a 100644
--- a/vm/pimox-haos-vm.sh
+++ b/vm/pimox-haos-vm.sh
@@ -281,14 +281,17 @@ function advanced_settings() {
       echo -e "${DGN}Using Hostname: ${BGN}$HN${CL}"
     fi
   fi
-  CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3)
-  exitstatus=$?
-  if [ -z $CORE_COUNT ]; then
-    CORE_COUNT="2"
-    echo -e "${DGN}Allocated Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
-  else
-    if [ $exitstatus = 0 ]; then echo -e "${DGN}Allocated Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"; fi
-  fi
+  while true; do
+    CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3)
+    exitstatus=$?
+    if [ $exitstatus -ne 0 ]; then exit-script; fi
+    if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then CORE_COUNT="2"; fi
+    if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+      echo -e "${DGN}Allocated Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+      break
+    fi
+    whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 2)." 8 58
+  done
   RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 4096 --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3)
   exitstatus=$?
   if [ -z $RAM_SIZE ]; then
diff --git a/vm/truenas-vm.sh b/vm/truenas-vm.sh
index 1386d0783..8abf423e8 100644
--- a/vm/truenas-vm.sh
+++ b/vm/truenas-vm.sh
@@ -383,16 +383,18 @@ function advanced_settings() {
     exit-script
   fi
 
-  if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 "$CORE_COUNT" --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
-    if [ -z $CORE_COUNT ]; then
-      CORE_COUNT="2"
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+  while true; do
+    if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 "$CORE_COUNT" --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then CORE_COUNT="2"; fi
+      if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 2)." 8 58
     else
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+      exit-script
     fi
-  else
-    exit-script
-  fi
+  done
 
   if RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 "$RAM_SIZE" --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
     if [ -z $RAM_SIZE ]; then
diff --git a/vm/ubuntu2204-vm.sh b/vm/ubuntu2204-vm.sh
index 9f4b0ac13..578586c7c 100644
--- a/vm/ubuntu2204-vm.sh
+++ b/vm/ubuntu2204-vm.sh
@@ -335,16 +335,18 @@ function advanced_settings() {
     exit-script
   fi
 
-  if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
-    if [ -z $CORE_COUNT ]; then
-      CORE_COUNT="2"
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+  while true; do
+    if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then CORE_COUNT="2"; fi
+      if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 2)." 8 58
     else
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+      exit-script
     fi
-  else
-    exit-script
-  fi
+  done
 
   if RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 2048 --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
     if [ -z $RAM_SIZE ]; then
diff --git a/vm/ubuntu2404-vm.sh b/vm/ubuntu2404-vm.sh
index 283986b24..d6239ab3e 100644
--- a/vm/ubuntu2404-vm.sh
+++ b/vm/ubuntu2404-vm.sh
@@ -338,16 +338,18 @@ function advanced_settings() {
     exit-script
   fi
 
-  if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
-    if [ -z $CORE_COUNT ]; then
-      CORE_COUNT="2"
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+  while true; do
+    if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then CORE_COUNT="2"; fi
+      if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 2)." 8 58
     else
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+      exit-script
     fi
-  else
-    exit-script
-  fi
+  done
 
   if RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 2048 --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
     if [ -z $RAM_SIZE ]; then
diff --git a/vm/ubuntu2504-vm.sh b/vm/ubuntu2504-vm.sh
index 2ec9e65d8..b1454ff90 100644
--- a/vm/ubuntu2504-vm.sh
+++ b/vm/ubuntu2504-vm.sh
@@ -337,16 +337,18 @@ function advanced_settings() {
     exit-script
   fi
 
-  if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
-    if [ -z $CORE_COUNT ]; then
-      CORE_COUNT="2"
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+  while true; do
+    if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then CORE_COUNT="2"; fi
+      if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 2)." 8 58
     else
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+      exit-script
     fi
-  else
-    exit-script
-  fi
+  done
 
   if RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 2048 --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
     if [ -z $RAM_SIZE ]; then
diff --git a/vm/umbrel-os-vm.sh b/vm/umbrel-os-vm.sh
index 1fc47c825..217b972db 100644
--- a/vm/umbrel-os-vm.sh
+++ b/vm/umbrel-os-vm.sh
@@ -401,16 +401,18 @@ function advanced_settings() {
     exit-script
   fi
 
-  if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
-    if [ -z $CORE_COUNT ]; then
-      CORE_COUNT="2"
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+  while true; do
+    if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 2 --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then CORE_COUNT="2"; fi
+      if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 2)." 8 58
     else
-      echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+      exit-script
     fi
-  else
-    exit-script
-  fi
+  done
 
   if RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 2048 --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
     if [ -z $RAM_SIZE ]; then