VBox 4.3.20 crashes on SAVE STATE (3D enabled)

[Tommi Tiihonen]

I really hope you gurus can help me. My VirtualBox 4.3.20 crashes (only when 3D graphics enabled) when I try to SAVE CURRENT MACHINE STATE. So 3D graphics is enabled, but I would like to keep it that way - if possible.

The error message (after which the VM crashes) that I get when trying to save the state of the VM:

(VirtualBox.exe - Application Error)

The instruction at 0x5662f237 referenced memory at 0x00000010. The memory could not be written.
Click on OK to terminate the program

Any solutions or ideas? My environment info is below.

Thank You all in advance!

//Tommi

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MY SYSTEM:

• HOST: Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 + all updates
• VirtualBox 4.3.20r96997 + latest Guest Additions & extension pack v. 96996
• GUEST: Linux Debian 32-bit 7.7.0 + latest updates
• 16GB RAM (host)
• 5GB RAM allocated for Linux (guest)
• 3D enabled + MAX graphics memory allocated + 2D disabled
• 8 CPU cores (host) ==> 4 CPU cores allocated for Linux (guest)
• Hardware Virtualization (VBox settings): BOTH VT-x/AMD-V & Nested Paging ENABLED
• Storage (VBox settings): Controller SATA - Type AHCI - Port Count: 3 - Host I/O Cache DISABLED
• Storage (continued): Image file type: Dynamic VDI (SSD disabled)

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I'm not sure if BIOS graphics settings matter but here they all are (I DO HAVE also tested with Virtu DISABLED !):::

(BIOS) Integrated Graphics Configuration:

• Virtu Technology: d-mode
• Initiate Graphic Adapter: PEG
• IGD Multi-Monitor: Disabled

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• I also have ran CHKDSK to check disk errors + have cleaned the Registry with CCleaner + rebooted.
• I also have the latest drivers installed for my graphics Adapter ATI RADEON HD5700, and it has the default settings enabled.
• I also have tested everything with Aero Desktop DISABLED.

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[loukingjr]

Are you sure your CPU doesn't have 4 cores and 8 threads? Try reducing the number of CPUs of the guest to 2. Just curious, why would anyone need 5GB RAM for a 32bit Debian guest?

[Tommi Tiihonen]

Are you sure your CPU doesn't have 4 cores and 8 threads? Try reducing the number of CPUs of the guest to 2. Just curious, why would anyone need 5GB RAM for a 32bit Debian guest?

Yeah, you are absolutely right about the RAM thing I didn't even think about that! Heh...

And yes, I DO have only 4 PHYSICAL cores BUT the CPU settings dialog shows that there are actually 8 cores (virtual or not) and it is possible to select 4 cores MAX. Core amounts above 4 are grayed out.

But thank you, I will try that and get back here soon.

//Tommi

[mhanor]

You are triggering a known issue in the AMD OpenGL drivers, with the help of VirtualBox, read here
Disable the VM preview in VirtualBox Manager and use VBoxManage controlvm VMNAME savestate command to save the VM state.

Later edit: actually, VBoxManage doesn't help.

[loukingjr]

try setting the guest to 2GB RAM, 2 cores.

[Tommi Tiihonen]

You are triggering a known issue in the AMD OpenGL drivers, with the help of VirtualBox, read here
Disable the VM preview in VirtualBox Manager and use VBoxManage controlvm VMNAME savestate command to save the VM state.

Later edit: actually, VBoxManage doesn't help.

Thank You for an informative reply. I will try this soon. I'm pretty sure that this will solve the issue and I'll post here the outcome. Thanks!

// Tommi

[Tommi Tiihonen]

try setting the guest to 2GB RAM, 2 cores.

Hi there! I already did 2 hours ago. No help Thanks anyway for replying!

//Tommi

[loukingjr]

attach the vbox.log for your Debian guest.

[mhanor]

There might not be any solutions for saving the VM state in this case, if you require 3D acceleration for your guest. You could try to switch to console mode (CTRL+ALT+F1) and then save the VM state, but my Ubuntu user interface is frozen after resuming the VM, requiring a guest reboot (the guest OS is responsive, but the Unity user interface is not).

[loukingjr]

There might not be any solutions for saving the VM state in this case, if you require 3D acceleration for your guest. You could try to switch to console mode (CTRL+ALT+F1) and then save the VM state, but my Ubuntu user interface is frozen after resuming the VM, requiring a guest reboot (the guest OS is responsive, but the Unity user interface is not).

Actually your problem has to do with Unity itself. All other DEs in Linux will save and restore state as far as I know. Debian doesn't use Unity.

[mhanor]

My problem? Which problem is that? I'm only stating that his Gnome3 user interface might also freeze, as Unity does for me, but I haven't tried it.

[Tommi Tiihonen]

My problem? Which problem is that? I'm only stating that his Gnome3 user interface might also freeze, as Unity does for me, but I haven't tried it.

I'm sure he meant ME and used your post just as a "forward-note" for me. Probably

[Tommi Tiihonen]

I actually decided to stick with...OUT the 3D acceleration. I found out the 2D environment be much more intuitive and faster also + better in every aspect.

Of course it would be great to ultimately find out the solution to this problem, but just out of curiosity. I'll leave this thread open anyway, since this might be helpful to others, and to me even but later.

Thanks to EVERYONE of You for contributing on this matter!

// Tommi

[mhanor]

I have just tested Debian 7.8 x64 with 3D acceleration. It's seems safe to switch to console mode and save the state of the VM, the UI doesn't freeze after resuming.

[Tommi Tiihonen]

I have just tested Debian 7.8 x64 with 3D acceleration. It's seems safe to switch to console mode and save the state of the VM, the UI doesn't freeze after resuming.

Oh?! OK! I'll test that then.

And okey, there seems to be a newer version of Debian available. I suppose that the traditional System Update -maneuvre will NOT upgrade the Linux itself to v7.8? Or does it? At least I still have v7.7 with all the available updates installed..

Does Linux have to be completely re-installed in order to upgrade it? Just thought if You might know about it.

Thanks!

// Tommi