Cannot Start Red Hat Linux 7.2 After You Transfer the Guest PC Disk Image from an Intel to an AMD-Based Host Computer (824551)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Virtual PC 2004
  • Connectix Virtual PC for Windows version 5.2
  • Connectix Virtual PC for Windows version 5.1
  • Connectix Virtual PC for Windows version 5.0
  • Connectix Virtual PC for Windows version 4.3
  • Connectix Virtual PC for Windows version 4.2
  • Connectix Virtual PC for Windows version 4.1
  • Connectix Virtual PC for Windows version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

After you transfer a Red Hat Linux 7.2-based guest PC disk image from an Intel Pentium IV-based host computer to an AMD Athlon-based host computer, you cannot start the Linux guest operating system. When you try to start the guest operating system, you receive an error message that is similar to the following error message:
An unrecoverable processor error has occurred.
Note This behavior also occurs when you transfer the guest PC disk image from an Athlon to a Pentium IV-based host computer.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because when you install Red Hat Linux 7.2 on the guest PC, the installation program installs a kernel that is optimized for the host computer's system architecture. Therefore, the Linux kernel does not start successfully when you try to run the guest PC disk image on a host computer that is based on a different processor architecture.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, remove the optimized Linux kernel, and then install the generic kernel before you transfer the disk image to the host computer that has the different architecture. To do so, follow these steps:
  1. Start the guest PC on the original host computer.
  2. Log on to the Linux operating system by using an account that has root permissions.
  3. Run one of the following commands, depending on the host computer architecture, to remove the optimized kernel:
    • For an Intel Pentium IV-based host computer:

      rpm -e -nodeps kernel-2.4.7-10.i686.rpm

    • For an AMD Athlon-based host computer:

      rpm -e -nodeps kernel-2.4.7-10.athlon.rpm

  4. Run the following command to install the generic kernel:

    rpm -e -nodeps kernel-2.4.7-10.i686.rpm

  5. Save the changes to the guest PC disk image.
  6. Transfer the disk image to the new host computer.

MORE INFORMATION

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/18/2003
Keywords:kbprb KB824551 kbAudEndUser
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