TI 2009 Boot Fails on C3 & K6/2 Processors: cmov
The TrueImage 2009 Linux-based bootable iso fails on all Via C3 and AMD K6/2 based computers with the following message:
"This kernel requires the following features not present on the CPU: cmov
Unable to boot - please use a kernel appropriate for your CPU."
This is not a new problem. When I was using TI 10, the same problem appeared and eventually Acronis Support sent me a different iso that would work. If I remember correctly, the problem was that certain CPU's, even though they are "pentium class", lack the cmov instruction. ISOLINUX was changed several years ago in a way that (for some strange reason) requires cmov.
The problem has returned with TI 2009. I *had* to upgrade from TI 10 to TI 2009 because TI 10 does not understand the new standard block sizes for ext3 filesystems (used in current Ubuntu, Fedora, Mandriva, etc) and does a HUGE sector-by-sector backup of ext3.
I have already reported this to support several days ago, but they seem to not understand the issue (asking me to try different boot flags, which will not help). Hopefully other support contacts at Acronis are monitoring this forum.
If you are talking about TrueImage9796_multiparam_Standard_english_il.iso, I already tried that. It is built with the same ISOLINUX and doesn't make any difference.
Otherwise, I do not see anything new to try.
Hello Mark,
I have found your case in our database. Could you please collect the following information?
Please boot from the Acronis Bootable Rescue Media from ISO file and press Alt+Ctrl+F2 key combination when user's interface will be loaded, then please enter the following commands:
# cat /proc/partitions
This will give you the list of partitions/drives available in your system.
For example:
8 0 127744 scsi/host0/bus0/target0/lun0/disc
3 0 80417183 ide/host0/bus0/target0/lun0/disc
3 1 10241406 ide/host0/bus0/target0/lun0/part1
3 2 20482875 ide/host0/bus0/target0/lun0/part2
3 3 1020127 ide/host0/bus0/target0/lun0/part3
Flash drive is visible as 'scsi'. If there are some scsi devices in your system you may find your flash by partition/drive size. If the flash is partitioned it will bring the list of partitions as well.
Then you need to create a mount point for your flash and mount it.
# mkdir /mnt/tmp
# mount -t auto /devfs/scsi/host0/bus0/target0/lun0/disc /mnt/tmp
There can be some warning messages but it is safe to ignore them. If mount fails you may try to use 'vfat' (if the flash is formatted to FAT file system) or 'ext3fs' or 'ext2fs' (if its formatted to ext3 or ext2) parameter instead of 'auto' .
Make a directory on your flash drive to save files to it:
# mkdir /mnt/tmp/sysinfo
Check whether the drive is mounted correctly for writing access:
#ls /mnt/tmp
This will give a list of files/folders located on the drive.
Save 'sysinfo' and unmount the flash drive:
# sysinfo > /mnt/tmp/sysinfo/sysinfo.txt
# umount /mnt/tmp
Also, please collect system information file as follows: Please download the Linux System Report utility available here
- Unpack the archive: # tar xvf sysinfo.tar
- Make the script executable: # chmod +x sysinfo
- Run the executable: # ./sysinfo
- Send us the created system information archive file
Please send these files responding to the last e-mail from our support engineers and keep us informed!
We are looking forward to hearing back from you at your earliest convenience.
Thank you.
Acronis Linux Report: Sorry, that is impossible. In order to create that report, it is necessary to actually load the Linux kernel from the TI 2009 bootable media. As I have previously stated, the problem is with loading the kernel. Since the kernel cannot load due to no "cmov" on the processor, I cannot get such a report.
However, I *can* provide general information about the machine by creating a report on our special version of TI 10, since that will boot. Would that be useful? I don't want to invest the time, if it is not helpful.
If you can please research my past-reported issue with TrueImage 10, you will have all the information about the machine in question and how Acronis solved the same exact problem with a "special" version of the TI 10 bootable iso image... It was reported around July 11, 2007 and solved around July 31, 2007.
Hello Mark,
Do you have any reference to your old issue? I was not able to find anything...
Yes, sysinfo from other CD will be useful here.
Thank you very much for your cooperation!
We are looking forward to hearing back from you at your earliest convenience.
Thank you.
I found the old Email!!! And it was *you*, Alexander, that helped me!! The Acronis reference number is 1064471
Below are two excerpts:
> >From: Acronis Customer Service Department <support@acronis.com>
> >Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2007 16:40:14 +0400
>
> >We have created a special ISO image for you. Here is the download link:
> >http://download.acronis.com/sl/rqxgvlbzxqsemlzwdskx/support/ISO/i586/Tr…
------------------
From: Acronis Customer Service Department (support@acronis.com)
Sent: Wed 8/01/07 6:43 AM
Hello Mark, Thank you very much for expressing appreciation.
We are glad to know that the problem is solved and that Acronis Software works fine for you now.
The custom image provided was designed to work especially with i586 processor types. Therefore the official builds of the Acronis True Image Bootable Rescue Media won't operate properly on your hardware. We recommend you to use the provided rescue media until you need the updated one for the next version of the product.
Best regards,
Alexey Bogomolov
It has been almost a week since last posting... now Acronis TI 2010 was released and I still can't use 2009! Anyone looking into this? I thought posting the exact issue number from when this problem was solved in ver 10 would make it fairly easy to proceed. Thanks.
Responding with info so those searching for answers will know...
I was told that Acronis is unwilling to fix the cmov issue (like they did before), leaving people with VIA C3 and AMD K6/2 processors without a way to run the Acronis CD. Hopefully they will put that on their FAQ and required hardware list, since both are, indeed "Pentium Class Processors".
Meanwhile, I will start to experiment with clonezilla..
Hello Mark,
Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience.
I have sent you the message via PM.
Thank you.
Alexander,
I am having the same problem while using TI 2010:
"This kernel requires the following features not present on the CPU: cmov
Unable to boot - please use a kernel appropriate for your CPU."
What can I do to get past this error?
Hello Michael,
Let me assist you with this situation.
This issue can be caused by different factors, and the exact one is not clear at the current step.
First of all, I'd recommend you to download the version which is based on another loader (the version has some extended list of drivers and startup parameters). We have implemented the possibility to download the appropriate ISO file after logging into your account (the serial number should be registered). This option is available for the current and (n-1) versions. Please log in to your account, go to the Registered products and downloads section -> Bootable media. Download the file.
To get access to the ISO you should first register Acronis software.
You can find more information on how to burn an ISO image to a CD here.
If this does not help, please collect AcronisInfo tool output as follows:
- Download the file;
- Run the downloaded file
The gathered information will be put in adv_report.zip in the same folder, where the AcronisInfo was saved.
Running AcronisInfo may take up to 5 minutes.
Then submit a request for technical support. Attach all the collected files and information to your request along with the step-by-step description of the actions taken before the issue appears and the link to this thread. Then please provide me with the case number you receive from our system, so I can pick it up and speed up the process. We will do our best to investigate the problem and provide you with a solution.
I'd like to make sure all your queries regarding Acronis products are resolved.
Additionally to this, you are welcome to ask me any other questions concerning Acronis, and I will assist you further.
Regards,
Hello Alexander,
I do not mean to hijack this thread. However, you seem to be geniunely concerned about getting this issue resolved, and I wanted to let you know that I am experiencing exactly the same issue described here, in True Image Echo Workstation.
I have followed all of the instructions you have outlined (regarding trying the downloaded ISO, etc.) and I have just finished submitting a very detailed request for technical support. The case number for that submission is 00521476.
Hopefully, you will be able to expedite a solution for myself and Michael.
Cheers!
Brant
Hello Brant,
Let me explain some general things here:
The cmov issue is a known problem not only with general distros like Centos, Mandriva, etc.
The problem is that certain CPU's, even though they are "pentium class", lack the cmov instruction.
cmov is an instruction only present on i686 cpu's and above. So, you are trying to boot a distro that was compiled for i686 or higher, on a lower cpu.
A tipical case is the amd k6, which is ALMOST an i686 cpu, except that it lacks the cmov instruction, and hence will not run i686 object code.
I have picked up your case and will lead it to resolution.
Regards,
Hello Brant,
Let me update you regarding the issue: I have found that your case was in work with Experts Team, so I sent them a letter and asked to speed up the process.
We will let you know as soon as we get the results.
Regards,
Any news on this issue?
I have the same problem - a K6/2 machine that will not boot any TI CD from the last few years. I have licenses just about every version of Home or Workstation / Echo and the new ones will not boot due to the cmov issue. I was able to get a version 8 boot CD to boot, but the video was all messed up (lacked the proper video driver?) so it was not usable.
I would ask that Acronis offer ISO images for download for all its versions that do not require the cmov instruction to those who have properly registered that version of the software.
We too would be interested in any news. We have just purchased Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Advanced Workstation this month and come across this major problem when testing it. We have over 300 VIA C3 based kiosks we were going to use Acronis with...
Would there be any chance of creating and making available a 'special' ISO of True Image Advanced Workstation 10 that doesn't require the 'CMOV' instruction? In our case we need a revised kernal.dat to actually place on our bootable USB memory sticks.
Thanks for any help.
I too have the same problem - with the cmov issue and can't boot the Kernel. Has a new boot been released yet?
I also have the cmov message on my K6-2 Cpu machine & I am loading the True Image home 2011 so its still not fixed.