QEMU virtualization

I have problems. My laptop is 64 bits, but it's an HP pavillion with overheating problems when it runs linux. It goes for maybe 10 minutes then just shuts itself off from the heat. It's a known problem with the graphics card. I tried a USB version of CAELinux2009, which did boot, but had the same problem. Now, when I use the computer normally this overheating never happens. I think my solution is to run CAElinux in a virtual environment, letting windows solve my heat problems.

I know about the CAELinux2008 VMWare version, but I'd like to use qemu. Ideally I would like to run CAELinux2009 under the QEMU virtualization. Booting the iso file with this command line takes for ever:

qemu-system-x86_64.exe -cdrom caelinux2009.iso -boot d

Here is the command line I used to run the files on my USB key F:

qemu-system-x86_64.exe -hda F:/casper/filesystem.squashfs -kernel F:casper/vmlinuz -initrd F:casper/initrd.gz -append "root=/dev/sda"

It runs a lot faster than trying to run from the iso image. The problem is it can't load and change files as it's booting because it says it's a read only file system (squashfs is read only). It gives me error saying that the can't load X so I only get a text interface. Does anyone have any experience with CAELinux & qemu that can guide me to an answer?

Post edited by: Steven, at: 2010/05/04 04:51

Post edited by: Steven, at: 2010/05/04 04:53<br /><br />Post edited by: Steven, at: 2010/05/04 04:55

Is there a proprietary Linux driver for your graphics card from the manufacturer? I also had issues with an over heating graphics card (not nearly as serious as yours, I had to abuse mine to encounter minor problems).

I just have not had much success or satisfaction with virtualization.

May the fourth be with you,
- Matt Bondy<br /><br />Post edited by: Matthew Bondy, at: 2010/05/05 04:47

CAELinux2009 claims to have loaded a proprietary driver for my video card, but says that the driver isn't in use. Restarting X by logging out and back in again in the short time I have before it craps out from the heat doesn't seem to get the driver running.

When I boot in qemu from the iso image it takes 30 minutes to get through the setup and login so that's as worthless to me as the DVD image.

I think that proprietary driver was the one that didnt work for me. I experimented with every driver I could find with the package manager. Some resulted in worse overheating than others (some resulted in no 3D capabilities). I ended up getting one from the Nvidia website and following installation instructions from the Ubuntu forums (the post led me to Nvidia's website in the first place).

Perhaps you can boot with a really basic graphics driver using some command at the menu of the live DVD. VESA sounds familiar.

ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=387771

Safe graphics mode?

Do you have a base for your laptop with fans? Do you know someone who has one? I still dont entirely trust linux not to destroy my laptop and always use one. The rubber feet also fell off the laptop so I at least need something to give the laptop's fan space to draw air in through... If its overheating I think either the fans are not running as they should or the hardware is being pushed beyond what it was designed for. The first possibility is probably far more common with linux. Regardless I notice my laptop feels much cooler. In Windows the sensors do not report the kind of drop I would hope for (theres a cool and free program for Windows called HWMonitor that reports sensor outputs) but there is a difference. The system fan runs less. Most of these cooling pads are powered by a USB port. I found a common AC/DC adapter (for cell phones, etc.) that fit with a similar voltage and sufficient current capabilities. Too much voltage will fry the pad and too little current will fry the AC/DC adapter (the pad will draw what it needs, the adapter might not be able to handle it). USB voltage is 5V. I fried one adapter because it wasnt rated for sufficient current. An adapter I have been using for more than a year: 23W (600mA for the 6 VDC side).

Best regards,
- Matt Bondy<br /><br />Post edited by: Matthew Bondy, at: 2010/05/05 06:54

I thought those were to keep the user cool! It never occured to me that they might take more heat away from the computer. I've seen then in the store so perhaps I'll get one and try it.

Thanks