CentOS 5.x and nolapic (Enable IO APIC)

[Ziegler Karel]

Host: Kubuntu 9.10 (Linux 2.6.31-14-generic 48-Ubuntu SMP x86_64)

Guest: CentOS 5.x

In VBox 3.0.10 I must append kernel boot parameter nolapic or enable IO APIC in the settings of the guest. Without that guest hangs during boot at NET: Registered protocol 2.

[Ziegler Karel]

It seems, that the problem is older than I thought. I find this on CentOS websites ​http://www.centos.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?viewmode=thread&topic_id=19274&forum=45, this note is for VirtualBox 2.1.4.

Some notes:
The guest setting parameter Enable IO APIC is checked by default for new guest.
May be I had IO APIC enabled when I was be installing CentOS guest and later I disabled it.
Fedora 11 and Kubuntu 9.x guests boot without any problems with IO APIC disabled.

[Sander van Leeuwen]

Without the VBox.log of that session we can't help you.

[Technologov]

hmmm...

Host: Windows 7, 64-bit, VBox 3.0.10, Core 2 Q6600, VT-x = on.

RHEL 5.3 guest works fine here. Both 32 and 64-bit VMs. Both UP and SMP. Audio + network work too.

-Technologov, 9.nov.2009.

[Ziegler Karel]

log up to hang

[Ziegler Karel]

Replying to Technologov:

hmmm...

Host: Windows 7, 64-bit, VBox 3.0.10, Core 2 Q6600, VT-x = on.

RHEL 5.3 guest works fine here. Both 32 and 64-bit VMs. Both UP and SMP. Audio + network work too.

-Technologov, 9.nov.2009.

Did you disable IO APIC in the settings of the guest?

[Technologov]

IO APIC *must* be enabled for SMP guests. VirtualBox automatically enables it.

-Technologov

[Ziegler Karel]

Replying to Technologov:

IO APIC *must* be enabled for SMP guests. VirtualBox automatically enables it.

-Technologov

From VirtualBox manual:

"Enabling the I/O APIC is required for 64-bit guest operating systems, especially Windows Vista; it is also required if you want to use more than one virtual CPU in a virtual machine."

But why Fedora and (K)ubuntu boots without problem with IO APIC disabled. All they are SMP a 1 virtual CPU guests.

[Technologov]

SMP means >= 2 CPUs UP means = 1 CPU

There is no such thing as "SMP a 1 virtual CPU guest".

-Technologov

[Ziegler Karel]

Replying to Technologov:

SMP means >= 2 CPUs UP means = 1 CPU

There is no such thing as "SMP a 1 virtual CPU guest".

-Technologov

OK, I thought Linux kernels with SMP..

[Ziegler Karel]

In VB 3.0.12 is a new bug related to CentOS, you must add kernel boot parameter nmi_watchdog=0
viz. ​http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=24804

[Sander van Leeuwen]

That's fixed in 3.1.2.

[Brett Alton]

I would like to state that using VirtualBox 3.2.12 and CentOS 5.5, this bug still exists. The boot seemed to be stuck as NET: Registered protocol 2. as reported and CentOS couldn't fully boot until Settings > System > Enable IO APIC was enabled.

[Dale Douglas]

I would like to add that I am having the problem intermittently with VB 3.2.12 and CentOS 5.5; MacBook Snow Leopard host. EVEN THOUGH "Enable IO APIC" is Enabled!!! After having the problem four times in a row, I finally got a successful boot, so I am not willing to reboot to report exact error message, but it hangs in a different place than above.

[Frank Mehnert]

Could you retry with VBox 4.0.4? There were several PIT fixes in VBox 4.0.2 and 4.0.4.

[korn]

I have same issue with 4.0.4 on WinXP SP3 host machine, enabling APIC and nmi_watchdog=0 didn't do the trick.

[korn]

with enabled APIC and disabled virtualization in CentOS guest system boots ok

[Frank Mehnert]

What do you mean by "disabled virtualization in CentOS guest system"? Is that a setting in the CentOS guest or do you mean the VT-x/AMD-V VM setting?

[Frank Mehnert]

No response, closing.