Kernel compiled for Pentium+, requires TSC

Support knowledgebase (cyrix686)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Versions since 6.3

Symptom:

Your computer is equipped with a "Cyrix 686" CPU. The boot process under Linux aborts with the error messages:
Kernel panic: Kernel compiled for Pentium+, requires TSC
In swapper task - not syncing

or

kernel panic: kernel compiled for Pentium+, requires CMPXCHG8B feature.
In Idle task - not syncing

Cause:

Your CPU is not 100% Pentium-compliant.

Solution:

From SuSE 8.1 on:

A kernel for these CPUs no longer exists! The only solution would be a self-compiled kernel.

Until SuSE 8.0:

Install the kernel for 386/486 CPUs in YaST.

To do this, boot from the second CD. After selecting the language, monitor and keyboard-layout, the main menu is displayed. Select the item "Start system/installation". In the next menu, you have the possibility to start your installed Linux by entering your root partition and selecting "Boot your installed system". This procedure is described in section "linuxrc: The Basics" in the Chapter 2.2.3 of the manual.

Login as root and insert the first CD. Then start YaST.

earth:~ # yast
Select the menus "System administration", "Kernel and boot configuration", and "Select boot kernel". In the opening menu, select the entry:

Kernel built for i386 processors (use also for 486)

and answer the subsequent question with "yes":

The file /usr/src/linux/.config already exists!
Should this file be overwritten?
The question
Should YaST start Lilo on your system?
has to be answered with "yes", too.
Keywords: CYRIX, KERNEL, PENTIUM, TSC, BOOT, DISK, START

Categories: Hardware

SDB-cyrix686, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 14. Oct 2002
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 14. Oct 2002 by ip (sdb_gen 1.40.0)