I am trying to install the Fedora core 3 on my computer. Whe the computer boots i get this error:

<0>Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill the idle task!

I am using kernel-2.6.9-vpc.i686

I have not idea why it won't boot. I am new to Unix and Linux. Please Help

e-mail: w0098728@nscc.ca

How much RAM do you have? That has might have alot to do with this.

Did you create a swap partition? If not enough RAM is the problem that could help.

I am running 512mb of ram. I am also trying to run it in a virtual machine. I am also using a proper kernel for the Virtual Machine.

I'm having the same problem. Even in a Virtual Machine like VPC, it looks like a hardware related problem.

At one location I installed (and succesfully booted) Fedora Core 3 with the special VPC kernel (2.6.9). Configuration Dell Optiplex GX270 with 1024 GB Ram. VPC with Service pack 1 installed.

When moving this VPC to another location (Optiplex GX620 1024 RAM) I get the Kernel Panic as you described. VPC build 582 and 2nd try with Service pack 1 installed with the same kernel panic.

At home using a non Dell machine, the boot process hangs with an error about lost interupt on hda1. VPC with Service pack 1 installed.

I thought that VPC always presented the same software to the client installed on it, no matter what physical hardware is available. My conclusion is that this is not 100% the case.