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)