gem5 X86 full system mode run fails with: "Can't find file 'x86root.img' on path"

Question

I am new to gem5. I downloaded and compiled gem5 successfully. However when I try to run the system in X86 Full Simulation mode I get the following error:

IOError:

Can't find file 'x86root.img' on path.

Answer 1

If you don't provide a specific disk image e.g. with fs.py --disk-image gem5 searches for one with a default name under the M5_PATH environment variable.

A full working CLI should look something like:

M5_PATH=opt/system \
  ./build/X86/gem5.opt \
  configs/example/fs.py \
  --disk-image rootfs.ext2 \
  --kernel vmlinux \
  --mem-size 256MB \
  --num-cpus 1 \
  --command-line 'earlyprintk=ttyS0 lpj=7999923 root=/dev/sda console_msg_format=syslog nokaslr norandmaps panic=-1 printk.devkmsg=on printk.time=y rw console=ttyS0' \
;

To help you get started, also consider this highly automated setup that just works.

In future questions, please provide the full gem5 CLI you've tried, and the exact gem5 git SHA version.

See also: Gem 5 IOError: Can't find a path to system files. Full System X86 simulation setup