VMware in SuSE Linux 8.1 or Higher Versions: Segmentation Fault
Support knowledgebase (fhassel_vmware_segfault81)
Applies to
SuSE Linux: Version 8.1
Kernel: Version 2.4.19
VMware
Symptom
You cannot start VMware in SuSE Linux 8.1 or higher versions. The program aborts with a "segmentation fault"
when you press the Power On button.
Cause
The APIC (Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller) functionality is required. This function
is no longer activated in the kernels included in SuSE Linux versions since 8.1 because it
caused problems on too
many systems.
Solution
This functionality can be reactivated: boot with the kernel parameter apic
and start VMware.
To avoid needing to enter this parameter at the boot prompt every time, insert it
in the boot loader file. If you use GRUB as your boot loader, open the file /boot/grub/menu.lst,
search for the section title linux, and insert the parameter in the line starting
with kernel.
This may look like this:
title linux
kernel (hd0,0)/vmlinuz root=/dev/hda3 vga=791 apic
initrd (hd0,0)/initrd
GRUB will read this entry during the next boot process.
If you use LILO as your boot loader, insert this parameter in the file
/etc/lilo.conf.
Search for the section:
image = /boot/vmlinuz
label = linux
initrd = /boot/initrd
root = /dev/hda3
and append the line:
append="apic"
to it. If this section already contains an append line, insert the parameter
apic after the existing entry separated by a space. Then save the file and
update the boot loader by executing the command
lilo.
Tip:
In some cases in connection with certain hardware, the use of the kernel
parameter 'apic' may result in an unstable Linux system. In these cases, you will not be able
to use the application VMware with kernels included in SuSE Linux version 8.1 or higher.
Keywords: VMWARE, SEGMENTATION, FAULT
SDB-fhassel_vmware_segfault81, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany
- Version: 18. Oct 2002
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 25. Jun 2003 by ip (sdb_gen 1.40.0)