Virtual Machine Installation (x86, Intel/AMD processor)

This page contains information about the Virtual Machine environment that will be used during the exam.

Please use either VirtualBox or VMWare to install the VM. While it works with both virtualization technologies, we have noticed that students tend to have fewer problems with VMWare.

 

What does it contain?

The Virtual Machine contains a stripped-down Ubuntu 20.04 image with some extras. Many of the applications that come with Ubuntu (e.g., LibreOffice) have been removed. Firefox is the only browser and access to the internet is limited.

Note: There is a square overlayed on top of the display. This square is intentional and must be present on your VM. This square will be used during the exam to ensure that you are working from within the VM.

If you have a previous VM installed, make sure to download the latest version. Before the exam, make sure to remove all previous content that you might have added prior to the exam since this is checked during the exam!

With respect to IS1200/IS1500, the following software is installed:

Editors:

Browsers:

  • Mozilla Firefox

VM Desktop:

  • Mars MIPS Simulator (without "Cache Simulator", "Instruction Counter", "X-Ray", and "Instruction Statistics")
  • README.pdf
  • MIPS Reference Sheet

Compilers:

  • GNU C compiler (usable from terminal)
  • Terminal (open with CTRL+ALT+F1)

 

VirtualBox: Step-by-Step Guide on How to Install and Run the VM

  1. (Make sure you have Hardware Virtualisation enabled in BIOS, called VTX. 99% of people already have this so you can skip this step)
  2. Start by downloading Virtual Box for your host OS (go to Here Links to an external site.)
  3. Install Virtual Box
  4. Download the Virtual Machine by clicking Here Links to an external site. (updated: May, 2023. note, it is quite large). This will download a file called "IS1200_IS1500.ova"
  5. Once downloaded, open Virtual Box and click the Tools -> Import (see Picture below) step1_VM.png step2_VM.png
  6. Find your "Datorteknik_VM.ova" file and put the location under "File" step3_VM.png
  7. On the next screen, click "Import". This will take a while.
  8. step4_VM.png
  9. At this point, you should see "IS1200_IS1500" VM on the left screen. step5_VM.png
  10. Click the "Start" button

 

VMWare: Step-by-Step Guide on How to Install and Run the VM

  1. (Make sure you have Hardware Virtualisation enabled in BIOS, called VTX. 99% of people already have this so you can skip this step)
  2. Start by downloading VMWare Player for your host OS (go here Links to an external site.)
  3. Install VMWare Player
  4. Download the Virtual Machine by clicking Here Links to an external site. (updated: May, 2023. note, it is quite large). This will download a file called "IS1200_IS1500.ova"
  5. Once downloaded, open VMWare and click the Import (see pictures below)
  6. Locate your downloaded image (DatorteknikVM.ova) and click "Import". If an error emerges, click "Retry" (see pictures below)
  7. After the import is finished, you should be able to start your VM by clicking the play button  (see picture below)

vmware_1-4.pngvmware_2-1.png

vmware_3-1.pngvmware_4.png

 

After Installing the VM

At this point, you should log in to the VM and be able to navigate directly on the desktop. Open the README.pdf file for more information, and start exploring the system:

  1. Make sure all the software is installed and working
  2. Make sure you can compile C source code.
  3. Make sure there is an image overlayed on the screen (top-left corner)
  4. Make sure the fullscreen mode works (Right-CTRL + F in VirtualBox, or use the menu) since that is how we will use it during the exam.
  5. Make sure you can access "canvas.kth.se"
  6. If something does not work, write a message to is1200@ict.kth.se or  is1500@ict.kth.se

NOTE: It is strictly forbidden to install any other application on the VM other than what is already there. It is also strictly forbidden to have any other resources installed (e.g., books etc.) which fall under prohibited aids (see KTH's Code of Honor) .

 

Frequently Asked Questions/Problems:

Question 1: I am getting an E_INVALIDARG (0x80070057) error when importing the Virtual Machine image. What can I do?

Answer 1: This can depend on many different reasons. Please try the following:

  1. Insufficient disk space. Please make sure to have at least 15 GB of free hard disk space when importing the image.
  2. If you have a previously imported version of the VM, please remove it from the disk.
  3. If you are installing from USB, kindly copy the VM import file to disk and install from there.
  4. Make sure you have permission to import the VM into the location you are specifying.

 

Question 2: I am getting a VERR_VMX_MSR_ALL_VMX_DISABLED error complaining about VT-x disabled. What can I do?

Answer 2: This one means you have not activated VT-x in your BIOS, and the solution will differ between computers. The general format of fixing this looks like this:

  1. Search the network for how to enter BIOS using your computer (e.g., for Lenovo Laptops you can find information on their support page Here Links to an external site.)
  2. Restart your computer and enter BIOS
  3. Navigate the menu to find the VT-x option, and enabled it (this one is commonly found under the Performance tab)
  4. Save the BIOS information
  5. Re-boot and try the VM again

 

Question 3: I am getting a AMD-V is disabled in the BIOS (or the host OS) (VERR_SVM_DISABLED) error. What can I do?

Answer 3: This one means you have not activated AMD-V in your BIOS and/or Microsoft Hyper-V is interfering with hardware virtualization.

  • To disable Hyper-V, follow the instructions here Links to an external site..
  • To enable AMD-V the solution will differ between computers. The general format of fixing this looks like this:
  1. Search the network for how to enter BIOS using your computer (e.g., for Lenovo Laptops you can find information on their support page Here Links to an external site.)
  2. Restart your computer and enter BIOS
  3. Navigate the menu to find the AMD-V option, and enabled it (this one is commonly found under the Performance tab)
  4. Save the BIOS information
  5. Re-boot and try the VM again

 

Question 4: My Virtual Machine is slow. What can I do?

Answer 4: You can try one of the following remedies:

  1. Go into the settings for the VM and into the "System" tab. There you will find the amount of Base Memory (RAM) that is allocated to the VM. Consider increasing this amount (subject to your machine specifications). The more RAM that is allocated to the VM, the faster it should go. I would try doubling this to 4 GB.
  2. Go into the settings for the VM and into the "Display" tab. There you will find the amount of Video Memory (VRAM) that is allocated to the VM. Consider increasing this amount.
  3. Go to the settings for the VM and try increasing the core count to 2.

 

Question 5: My Machine will not boot up. What can I do?

Answer 5: Make sure you have VirtualBox 6.0+

 

Question 6: I cannot get VirtualBox to work on my desktop. Can I use VMWare?

Answer 6: Yes, you are allowed to try and use VMWare (but only with the image provided above).

 

Question 7: when I put full-screen, it is not really full screen (Virtual Box only)?

Answer 7: Go on the top bar of Virtual Box, click on "Machine", then click on "settings", then go to "display", then play with the "scale factor". 

 

Question 8: The default Host Key does not exist on my keyboard or it does not work. How do I change the host key?

Answer 8: check this post:  https://askubuntu.com/questions/854116/virtualbox-host-key-how-to-change Links to an external site.