Workaround for kernel panics on suspend if "Secure Virtual Memory" enabled

[bgertzfield]

Hi folks,

A few people have reported kernel panics when suspending VMs (usually mentioning a file "pageHiddenMap.cpp" in the panic.log).

We believe we've isolated this issue to Macs that have the feature "Use secure virtual memory" enabled in System Preferences -> Security -> Use secure virtual memory.

If you're running into trouble with kernel panics on suspending VMs, please check if you have this checkbox enabled in System Preferences -> Security, and if so, please disable it for the time being. We're still investigating the bug internally to see how we can work around it.

Thanks!

Ben

[rcardona2k]

Separately but related to Security settings there are threads here that suggest turning on FileVault to encrypt the contents of your home directory is not a good idea with Fusion. At least, not to create or store your virtual machine files under a FileVault-protected directory.

[bgertzfield]

Separately but related to Security settings there are

threads here that suggest turning on FileVault to

encrypt the contents of your home directory is not a

good idea with Fusion. At least, not to create or

store your virtual machine files under a

FileVault-protected directory.

Right. We believe the actual problem is Secure Virtual Memory, not FileVault.

[rcardona2k]

>Right. We believe the actual problem is Secure Virtual Memory, not FileVault.

Thanks for the information! Is secure virtual memory exclusively responsible for this intermittent error:

"A virtual disk is fragmented affecting the virtual machine's performance", presumably when the VMDK file is not[/i] heavily fragmented on the host? I am not experiencing this error, just asking to clarify past reports.

Thanks in advance

[plink]

I'm experiencing the same problems and the panic log lists pageHidden. I am required to have Secure Virtual Memory turned on as well as running under FileVault (DOE requirements). I try to shut down XP before quitting VMware but I still sometimes get the kernel panic. I am running v1.0b2 (41385) on an early MacBook Pro with 2GB RAM. I'd welcome a fix for this. Thanks.

[rcardona2k]

Secure Virtual Memory and FileVault may be fine but is necessary for you store the virtual machines in your home directory? I realize that's the default location of the Virtual Machines folder. I would try running your virtual machines outside of your home directory in an area not managed the FileVault.

[plink]

I will try this but one of the features of FileVault I like is it's ability to encrypt everything I do as a normal user. I have to protect PII (new acronym caused by the lose of personal data on too many government and corporate laptops) and running virtual systems inside FileVault automatically protects all data in the other OSes without requiring any OS-specific encryption software. Until this is fixed, I will only use VMware OSes for testing, not for any production work. Thanks for the hint.

[rcardona2k]

>Until this is fixed, I will only use VMware OSes for testing, not for any production work.

VMware Fusion is beta and shouldn't already be used[/i] for any kind of production work.

With an area outside of FileVault, you may be better off protecting the data inside the virtual machine with the facilities Windows provides for encrypted filesystems. This way it does not matter where the VM is stored, the internal data is safe.

IMO, it's too dangerous relying on FileVault alone for this kind of protection.

[plink]

I just restarted, again. Moved the whole folder to an external disk and went through the normal procedures of having it fix all the problems associated with moving a corrupted virtual image. I did create a snapshot, which helped get through some of the errors. I thought I was running ok so I hit the suspend button and after some time it came back with two messages, it didn't like USB mice and keybaords wanting to use PS/2 instead, and the virtual machine is not ready to be suspended (try again later). I waited and tried again and it looked like it would work but it paniced again with the same error messages.

I understand this is beta software and will be careful with what I do.

One question, am I suspending the guest OS properly but simply pressing the Suspend button and waiting for it to close the window or am I doing this wrong?

My next test would be to de-select the Use Secure Virtual Memory. Thanks again for the help.

[admin]

VMware Fusion is beta and shouldn't already be

used[/i] for any kind of production work.

Hey now, I put it into production the day the first beta came out. Of course, I'm a developer so that means little, as development and production are one when testing is none. Its still more stable than Parallels ever was. The release of the first Parallels beta was the enabler for me to buy the MBP for work. The release of the first beta of VMware is what saved me from the mess of workarounds I had created for Parallels. Either way, I've been saved from using Windows as the primary OS and that's what matters.