Tuesday 16 November 2010

VirtualBox piix4_smbus Error

VirtualBox 3.2.10 gives me the following error message when booting Ubuntu 10.10:-
piix4_smbus 0000.00.07.0: SMBus base address uninitialized - upgrade bios or use force_addr=0xaddr


This error is caused by VM having no smbus but Ubuntu always trying to load the module. It doesn't affect anything but is a bit annoying - to fix...

1. Check module is being loaded

lsmod | grep i2c_piix4

2. If so, blacklist it in /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf, by adding the following to the end of the file:-

blacklist i2c_piix4

3. Update the initramfs

update-initramfs -u -k all

46 comments:

  1. worked perfectly... thanks

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  2. Thanks for this help.

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  3. Very interesting topics you have. You and I share the same interests. I'm always looking for blogs like this. I've added your RSS feed to my Reader.

    Thanks!

    Regards,
    Bikkel.

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  4. Worked perfectly! Linux Mint is now running 100% perfectly in VirtualBox without that nag message. Thank you.

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  5. thanks for your timely help!!

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  6. Hi !
    Was facing the same problem. I'm a first time user of linux, was thinking of reinstalling ubuntu.

    But you saved the day !
    thanks!

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  7. Sounds great, and simple -- except I'm just moving from Windows to Maverick Meerkat (Ubuntu 10.10) and I have NO IDEA how/where to make these changes! I wouldn't even call myself a newbie ...

    Anyone care to guide me through it ... or point me to a place that will help me get there (without having to learn everything about linux before I can do it ;-) )

    Thanks guys

    flashfletch

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  8. Oh. Running Oracle VB 4.0.2 on a Samsung N220 netbook with 2Gb under Win 7 Starter.

    (My intention is to move to Meerkat entirely once I become familiar enough with it on the VB ...)

    flashfletch

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  9. [...] on functionality, but it possibly had an impact on speed of boot.I managed to find the answer here:http://finster.co.uk/2010/11/16/virtualbox-piix4_smbus-error/Essentially, you do the following:Start a terminalsudo vi /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.confAdd the line [...]

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  10. Thanks for the solution :)
    Helped make my VM boot screen cleaner.

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  11. [...] un pò sul web mi sono imbattuto in questo blog, anche se è riferito a VirtualBox, il principio di fondo è lo stesso, quindi ho seguito le [...]

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  12. Works perfectly, thanks a bunch!

    That error message was extremely annoying.

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  13. Thanks for the guide. I've used the same steps on Ubuntu 10.10 x86 and x64 virtual machines in virtualbox. Fixed the nag message on both.

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  14. blacklist: command not found

    Using Ubuntu 10.10

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  15. @apveening, read step #2 carefully.

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  16. Excellent work, my bootscreen is now pruned nicely.

    Thanks a lot for the post.

    Cheers

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  17. [...] @ Reply Hi there, Check out the following link: http://finster.co.uk/2010/11/16/virt...4_smbus-error/ [...]

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  18. Works perfectly, thanks a lot!

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  19. [...] Credits: http://finster.co.uk/2010/11/16/virtualbox-piix4_smbus-error/ This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. [...]

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  20. In Arch Linux, replace step 3 with:

    # mkinitcpio -p linux

    Check https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Mkinitcpio for more information.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks. For me however worked these steps:

      1. # vim /etc/modprobe.d/modprobe.conf
      2. Add this line to this file:
      blacklist i2c_piix4
      2. # mkinitcpio -p linux

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  21. Thanks Pedro just as you say I changed the step3 with your command and it worked for Arch Linux.

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  22. where do i type these? im using damn small linux as a firewall and VB for Ubuntu when i try to install Ubuntu i get that right underneath the Name and d/l bar on screen then it goes into install mode everything goes well until i either power down for my VB too save or when i skip that and install all my updates it stall on smd client then i just freezes and i have to repeat everything over

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  23. I don't know how to do this , when i start my VM and begin installing ubunto 12.04 it shows me this error message , so I don't know to do any of your steps

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  24. Thanks a lot. Worked perfectly (Ubuntu running on VM Virtual Box). Boot now is OK.

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  25. Under Arch Linux (maybe others) you can also do this by adding modprobe.blacklist=i2c_piix4 to your kernel command line in /boot/grub/menu.lst

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  26. *** just perfect *** thx! ***

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  27. how to check module and intrafms? NO idea

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  28. ...worked perfectly for me, too.
    Thank you very much!

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    Replies
    1. Sorry can u teach me how to type all the things step by step?

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    2. Press the "space bar" and "e" keys simultaneously when you start loading the virtual machine. Use "nano /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf" command and put "blacklist i2c_piix4" line.

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  29. pLs help how to what should i do... where can i type the codes?

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  30. Shawn hie, did you get the instructions, if you did , kindly share them
    thanks

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    Replies
    1. Hi Deeman, I dont know about Shawn, But I am also trying for this answer. When exactly to type these commands ? After UBUNTU Installs and typing this commands in a Terminal - but for me - linux installed does not let me log in to.
      Please Help !

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  31. Hi,

    I am working with Virtual-Box4.18.2 and I installed 2 virtual machines to try, UBUNTU12.04 server and UBUNTU 10.04 server.
    What I am trying to do is install an server application I have on the VBOX HARDDISK. This application is on a bootable CD, when I boot from the CD, and run the installation I get this messege and get thrown out of the installation.
    In my case these steps did not solve my issue. Any idea what might be the issue?

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  32. Most of you give thaks for another's help, a few of us ask for your help, nobody is willing to help us in how/where to use those commands. !!!

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  33. These instructions were for removing the warning message during booting, and are only useful if your machine can boot and you can get to a terminal window.

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  34. but where we type this commands

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  35. Thank you very much, it worked perfectly !!!

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  36. for centOS replace step 3 with dracut --force

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