KVM can't install Windows

KVM can't install Windows

[Bill Davidsen]

I need a Win98SE VM to do some software testing and support. Unfortunately KVM 
seems to not be able to run 98SE, although it runs a bunch of more recent 
Windows versions I can't use for this. I really don't want to support multiple 
VM servers, and there is pressure to go to VISTA and VMware.

Base is a small server with Intel quad core 2.66GHz CPU, 8GB memory, and 2TB 
SATA. FC9, fully patched, 32 bit PATA kernel. Running some FC4, CentOS, and 
DragonFly machines for various services.

Someone have a pointer to some docs or something?

-- 
Bill Davidsen <davidsen@tmr.com>
   "We have more to fear from the bungling of the incompetent than from
the machinations of the wicked."  - from Slashdot

Re: KVM can't install Windows

[Charles Duffy]

Bill Davidsen wrote:
> I need a Win98SE VM to do some software testing and support. 
> Unfortunately KVM seems to not be able to run 98SE, although it runs a 
> bunch of more recent Windows versions I can't use for this. I really 
> don't want to support multiple VM servers, and there is pressure to go 
> to VISTA and VMware.

Lots of folks here have used KVM with recent Windows guests 
successfully, myself included. Could you be more explicit about what is 
going wrong, other than "it dosen't work"? Knowing which KVM release 
you're using (and which kernel) would be a Good Thing as well.

See whether your guest/version combination is expected to work at 
http://kvm.qumranet.com/kvmwiki/Guest_Support_Status

Re: KVM can't install Windows

[Bill Davidsen]

Charles Duffy wrote:
> Bill Davidsen wrote:
>> I need a Win98SE VM to do some software testing and support. 
>> Unfortunately KVM seems to not be able to run 98SE, although it runs a 
>> bunch of more recent Windows versions I can't use for this. I really 
>> don't want to support multiple VM servers, and there is pressure to go 
>> to VISTA and VMware.
> 
> Lots of folks here have used KVM with recent Windows guests 
> successfully, myself included. Could you be more explicit about what is 
> going wrong, other than "it dosen't work"? Knowing which KVM release 
> you're using (and which kernel) would be a Good Thing as well.
> 
Can you tell me where to get one of those recent Windows guest for Win98SE?

> See whether your guest/version combination is expected to work at 
> http://kvm.qumranet.com/kvmwiki/Guest_Support_Status
> 
I agree completely with the "no way" and "FAILS" evaluation, it continues to 
hang during install from the CD image with
- FC6 Intel 6600 dual core with kvm 65
- FC9 Intel quad core 9400 2.6.27-3 kernel and latest kvm and qemu upgrades
- FC9 AMD dual core (number in another building) 2.6.26 latest kernel,
   kvm and qemu upgrades

Avi told me several years ago that it was because Intel virtualization didn't 
handle something in real mode, and AMD might work. Doesn't seem to.

-- 
Bill Davidsen <davidsen@tmr.com>
   "We have more to fear from the bungling of the incompetent than from
the machinations of the wicked."  - from Slashdot

Re: KVM can't install Windows 98

[Charles Duffy]

Bill Davidsen wrote:
> I agree completely with the "no way" and "FAILS" evaluation, it 
> continues to hang during install from the CD image with
> - FC6 Intel 6600 dual core with kvm 65
> - FC9 Intel quad core 9400 2.6.27-3 kernel and latest kvm and qemu upgrades
> - FC9 AMD dual core (number in another building) 2.6.26 latest kernel,
>   kvm and qemu upgrades
> 
> Avi told me several years ago that it was because Intel virtualization 
> didn't handle something in real mode, and AMD might work. Doesn't seem to.

Ahh. I misread your references to Vista, and thought you were looking at 
upgrading your guest (ie. using something newer than 98SE) but still 
having issues. My apologies.

("KVM can't install Windows 98SE" in the subject line, rather than "KVM 
can't install Windows", might have averted this misunderstanding).

Re: KVM can't install Windows

[Don Parsons]

Bill Davidsen <davidsen <at> tmr.com> writes:

> Charles Duffy wrote:
> > Bill Davidsen wrote:
> >> I need a Win98SE VM to do some software testing and support. 
> >> Unfortunately KVM seems to not be able to run 98SE, although it runs a 
> >> bunch of more recent Windows versions I can't use for this. I really 

Since Win98 runs on top of "MS DOS" and MS DOS also fails
it MIGHT be quicker to try to get the MS DOS part of 98SE
booting.  Then with MS DOS booting, try Win 98SE again.

(Write the MS DOS floppy system boot disk to a CD iso
image)

Hopefully this is a useful idea/hint.

Don