ERROR: Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill the idle task!

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Windows hosts.
Post Reply
Olfi
Posts: 3
Joined: 24. Sep 2022, 10:54

ERROR: Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill the idle task!

Post by Olfi »

I can't instal any OS
Virtual Box 5.2.44 r139111 (Qt5.6.2)

Processor : Intel(R) i3
Hosts OS: Windows 7

Try install - debian-live-11.3.0-i386-cinnamon.iso
ERROR: Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill the idle task!

Why? How to install any Linux 32-bit?

How to install any 64 bit OS on Win 7?
scottgus1
Site Moderator
Posts: 20965
Joined: 30. Dec 2009, 20:14
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, Linux

Re: ERROR: Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill the idle task!

Post by scottgus1 »

Start the VM from full normal shutdown, not save-state. Run until you see the problem happen, then shut down the VM from within the VM's OS if possible. If not possible, close the Virtualbox window for the VM with the Power Off option set.

Right-click the VM in the main Virtualbox window's VM list, choose Show Log. Save the far left tab's log, zip it, and post the zip file, using the forum's Upload Attachment tab.
Olfi
Posts: 3
Joined: 24. Sep 2022, 10:54

Re: ERROR: Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill the idle task!

Post by Olfi »

thank you for reply !

I closed the Virtualbox window for the VM with the Power Off option set.
Attachments
111-2022-09-25-21-37-27.rar
(20.78 KiB) Downloaded 168 times
scottgus1
Site Moderator
Posts: 20965
Joined: 30. Dec 2009, 20:14
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, Linux

Re: ERROR: Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill the idle task!

Post by scottgus1 »

According to https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en ... tions.html your CPU has VT-x, and VT-x is off in your BIOS. See I have a 64bit host, but can't install 64bit guests.
00:00:02.496572 Console: Machine state changed to 'Restoring'
scottgus1 wrote:Start the VM from full normal shutdown, not save-state.
'Restoring' means the VM was save-stated. Therefore the VM log is missing important diagnostic info. Try again, please, after turning on VT-x.
Olfi
Posts: 3
Joined: 24. Sep 2022, 10:54

Re: ERROR: Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill the idle task!

Post by Olfi »

I turned on Virtualization in BIOS and everything works well. Thank you very much!
scottgus1
Site Moderator
Posts: 20965
Joined: 30. Dec 2009, 20:14
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, Linux

Re: ERROR: Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill the idle task!

Post by scottgus1 »

Great! Glad you're up and running.
JMD-tech
Posts: 3
Joined: 21. Dec 2021, 01:11

Re: ERROR: Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill the idle task!

Post by JMD-tech »

Had the same error, was with a Debian Bullseye (11.4) guest

Strangely, had another Bullseye (11.6) guest that wasn't hit by that.
And that defective guest has previously been working for month without problem.

Also, VT support is enabled in BIOS, but it's grayed and not enabled in the guests parameters.
(i might be wrong, but IIRC i had those checked when installing those guests).

Eventually solved it following this advice to add a second CPU, to my surprise it worked:
viewtopic.php?t=106069

Removed the (now irrelevant) difference list from the two guests, because i can reproduce the error,
the working VM does the same error if i assign it 1 CPU only, definately this.

Will try some other tests and report soon after some reboots, of the host too, meanwhile some complementary info:
* Windows 11 host, but upgraded from Win10 (had some network bugs that don't happen on a "fresh" W11 install)
* Guests are Debian installed from the minimal ISO file, no X-windows/GUI or other fancy stuff
* Same version of the Guest additions on the two guests
(checked the log: Guest Additions information report: Version 6.0.0 r127566 '6.0.0'...
Looks like i'll have to upgrade them as i'm using VirtualBox 7.0, will report if that manages to solve working with 1 CPU only)
JMD-tech
Posts: 3
Joined: 21. Dec 2021, 01:11

Re: ERROR: Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill the idle task!

Post by JMD-tech »

Ok, did some more tests:
first on the Debian OS side: apt udate && apt upgrade && poweroff
then setting 1CPU => still same bug

Then used the "insert guest additions CD" menu,
ran the VBoxLinuxAdditions.run without problem, but still the same: boots ok with 2 CPU but not 1 CPU.
(BTW while running the VBoxLinuxAdditions.run noticed a line saying
"removing installed version 6.1.12", while the logs previously showed a "6.0.0 r127566" version, seems fixed now as i've in the log:
VMMDev: Guest Additions information report: Version 7.0.4 r154605 '7.0.4')

Tested it, this also happens with an old Debian 10 VM, and also with a Debian 12.

Update:
Seems to be fixed now, upgraded VirtualBox From 7.0.4 to 7.0.8 and now all my Debian guests starts correctly also with 1 CPU only.
Post Reply