VirtualBox won't launch: vboxdrv: version magic '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Linux hosts.
udoyen
Posts: 6
Joined: 10. Sep 2017, 20:00

VirtualBox won't launch: vboxdrv: version magic '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions

Post by udoyen »

Hi, I recently tried to access my virtualbox devices only to keep seeing this error:
"[30335.982875] vboxdrv: version magic '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions ' should be '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions retpoline '
"
when I try to run this command "/sbin /vboxconfig" as suggested by the error message. I learnt that its related to the "meltdown and spectre" kernel fixes Ubuntu sent out. I have been trying to find way to load the virtualbox kernel driver but I am unable to do so. Please I am hoping someone here had a similar problem and had fixed it.

My OS spec: Linux george-HP-Pavilion-17-Notebook-PC 4.4.0-116-generic x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Best regards
George
Last edited by socratis on 25. Feb 2018, 08:47, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Changed title to something more appropriate.
socratis
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Re: Virtualbox Won't Launch on Ubuntu Xenial

Post by socratis »

You didn't mention your VirtualBox version, aka "VirtualBox -version". Try the latest test builds (https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Testbuilds), especially with all the Spectre/Meltdown patches coming in from all sides, and see if it works...
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udoyen
Posts: 6
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Re: Virtualbox Won't Launch on Ubuntu Xenial

Post by udoyen »

Hello and thanks for the response, my Virtualbox version is 5.2.6 r120293 (Qt5.6.1). And I will try the test builds you suggested.

Best Regards
George
udoyen
Posts: 6
Joined: 10. Sep 2017, 20:00

Re: Virtualbox Won't Launch on Ubuntu Xenial

Post by udoyen »

Hello I tried a test build the latest but still got the same error message: "vboxdrv.sh: failed: modprobe vboxdrv failed"

Best Regards
George
PlantMP
Posts: 4
Joined: 20. Feb 2018, 10:01

Re: Virtualbox Won't Launch on Ubuntu Xenial

Post by PlantMP »

I have same problem with different error

Code: Select all

Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908)

The VirtualBox Linux kernel driver (vboxdrv) is either not loaded or there is a permission problem with /dev/vboxdrv. Please install virtualbox-dkms package and load the kernel module by executing

'modprobe vboxdrv'

as root. If it is available in your distribution, you should install the DKMS package first. This package keeps track of Linux kernel changes and recompiles the vboxdrv kernel module if necessary.

where: suplibOsInit what: 3 VERR_VM_DRIVER_NOT_INSTALLED (-1908) - The support driver is not installed. On linux, open returned ENOENT 
socratis
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Re: Virtualbox Won't Launch on Ubuntu Xenial

Post by socratis »

PlantMP wrote:I have same problem with different error
Then it's not the same problem. By definition... ;)

You didn't tell us the host complete version (uname -a), and where you got your VirtualBox from. If you got it from the store, delete it. In these forums only the official VirtualBox is supported. And with all the patches coming in, try the testbuilds.

And for future reference, the error alone doesn't help. We need details, a lot more details...
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udoyen
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Re: Virtualbox Won't Launch on Ubuntu Xenial

Post by udoyen »

I tried the testbuilds but still got the same error from the version I got from Virtualbox Official site. Note I am not using the Ubuntu repo version. As for the command (uname -a): Linux george-HP-Pavilion-17-Notebook-PC 4.4.0-116-generic #140-Ubuntu SMP Mon Feb 12 21:23:04 UTC 2018 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
:( . The error says I should run the modprobe vboxdrv as root which I have done severally. And the error from `dmesg`: `vboxdrv: version magic '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions ' should be '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions retpoline '`
carkaci
Posts: 2
Joined: 25. Feb 2018, 01:24

After upgrading to Kernel 4.4.0-116 , I cannot start Virtual Box

Post by carkaci »

After upgrading to Kernel 4.4.0-116 , I cannot start Virtual Box.
It says;

Code: Select all

Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908)

The VirtualBox Linux kernel driver (vboxdrv) is either not loaded or there is a permission problem with /dev/vboxdrv. Please reinstall the kernel module by executing

'/sbin/vboxconfig'

as root.

where: suplibOsInit what: 3 VERR_VM_DRIVER_NOT_INSTALLED (-1908) - The support driver is not installed. On linux, open returned ENOENT.
Then I run

Code: Select all

     sudo /sbin/vboxconfig
it says

Code: Select all

    vboxdrv.sh: failed: modprobe vboxdrv failed. Please use 'dmesg' to find out why.
When I "dmesg" it says

Code: Select all

   vboxdrv: version magic '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions ' should be '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions retpoline '
Any idea ?
Last edited by socratis on 25. Feb 2018, 08:59, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Enclosed the information in [code] tag for better readability
socratis
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Re: VirtualBox won't launch: vboxdrv: version magic '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions

Post by socratis »

@carkaci
I merged your post with a similar problem. I also changed the title of the OP to reflect the error message.
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carkaci
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Re: VirtualBox won't launch: vboxdrv: version magic '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions

Post by carkaci »

My uname -r is 4.4.0-116-generic, I also tried VirtualBox-5.2.7-120822-Linux_amd64.run , but I still got the same errors.
socratis
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Re: VirtualBox won't launch: vboxdrv: version magic '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions

Post by socratis »

According to kernel.org, 4.4.0-116 was released on 2018-02-16. That's later than the latest test builds (2018-02-14). I expect that this will be addressed in a future release, be it 5.2.8 or a test build...
 Edit: .
I was able to install VirtualBox 5.2.6r120293 on an Ubuntu 16.04 with "uname -a":

Code: Select all

Linux VB-Ubuntu 4.4.0-116-generic #140-Ubuntu SMP Mon Feb 12 21:22:43 UTC 2018 i686 i686 i686 GNU/Linux
So, the kernel doesn't seem to be the problem. 
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Akos
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Joined: 27. Feb 2018, 23:26

Re: VirtualBox won't launch: vboxdrv: version magic '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions

Post by Akos »

From today I have the error said before... It is:

[ 2820.024991] vboxdrv: version magic '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions ' should be '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions retpoline '

My uname -r is: 4.4.0-116-generic
kartones
Posts: 2
Joined: 28. Feb 2018, 09:47

Re: VirtualBox won't launch: vboxdrv: version magic '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions

Post by kartones »

VirtualBox just updated and still facing same problem :(

Virtualbox: Version 5.2.8 r121009 (Qt5.6.1)

Code: Select all

Ubuntu 16.04 fully patched
uname -r:

Code: Select all

4.4.0-116-generic
dmesg

Code: Select all

vboxdrv: version magic '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions ' should be '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions retpoline '
socratis
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Re: VirtualBox won't launch: vboxdrv: version magic '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions

Post by socratis »

Simply searching for "4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions" on the webs, shows that it's a known problem. For example: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+sour ... ug/1750937
Do NOT send me Personal Messages (PMs) for troubleshooting, they are simply deleted.
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uli100
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Re: VirtualBox won't launch: vboxdrv: version magic '4.4.0-116-generic SMP mod_unload modversions

Post by uli100 »

I'm using ubuntu-14.04 (trusty) and I've seen the error. I managed to solve them by doing this:

1. Remove all GCC versions
2. Install GCC-4.8.2: apt-get install gcc-4.8=4.8.2-19ubuntu1 gcc-4.8-base=4.8.2-19ubuntu1 cpp-4.8=4.8.2-19ubuntu1 libgcc-4.8-dev=4.8.2-19ubuntu1 libasan0=4.8.2-19ubuntu1 gcc
3. Try to build the module -> no luck, same error
4. Update the compiler: apt-get update; apt-get upgrade
5. Check the version: gcc --version -> shows -> gcc (Ubuntu 4.8.4-2ubuntu1~14.04.4) 4.8.4
6. Build the module -> success

When starting the investigation, Gcc-4.8.5 was installed on my machine. Now it is 4.8.4.

Best regards, Uli
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