Parallels-config fails in Ubuntu (Edgy) 64-bit

I'm running Ubuntu Edgy 64-bit on AMD Opteron 165 hardware. I'm trying to install PW 2.2, but "sudo parallels-config" fails. The error log shows a lot of ignored cdecl and stdcall warnings (probably nothing to worry about), and finally a fatal error: size of array 'assert' is negative, originating at line 455 of AtomicOps.h:

struct AssertAtomic32bitArchitecture {
char assert[
sizeof(int) == 4 && sizeof(unsigned) == 4 && sizeof(long) == 4 &&
sizeof(unsigned long) == 4 ? 1 : -1]; };

I'm using gcc-4.1, and yes I have build-essential, kernel-headers and libqt3-mt installed, and fixed the dash/bash thing.

FWIW, just for the heck of it, I tried "sudo parallels-config" in a 32-bit chroot -- that went OK, but of course I can't run Parallels from the chroot... I need 64-bit drivers for that.

Apparently, then, the problem is the 64-bit environment -- any ideas how I can get past the above error?

 

I got the same errors with parallels on Fedora Core 6 64-bit. As far as I can see these 'asserts' make sure the host OS is 32-bit (on 64-bit you get negative array sizes which cause the compilation to fail).
You could change the asserts to char assert[1] and keep your fingers crossed..
I asked Parallels when 64-bit host OS will be supported, but no answer until now.

Regards,
Gijsbert

 

Well, I did modify that line to always have lenght 1 for the assert array, but then the compilation fails due to a lot of system calls that are not supported in 64-bit...

Judging from the on-line blurbs on PW it is suitable for both 32-bit and 64-bit as long as the guest OS installed in the VM is 32-bit. No requirement that the host OS be 32-bit as well... Of course, any 32-bit OS will run in backward-compatibility mode on a 64-bit "x86" processor, I would be surprised if the Parallels sales folks meant it that way.

May be one of the Parallels reps could respond...?

 

I'll answer my own question... I found a message in the PW FAQ that says what already feared it would say: runs fine on a 64-bit system as long as the primary OS is 32-bit. These are "weasel words" in my opinion: "PW cannot yet be installed in a 64-bit OS" would be clearer.

Now, what do I do... (1) revert to 32-bit Ubuntu? (2) Wait until PW can be installed in 64-bit primary OS? (3) Ask for money back? (I should have done the trial version first, of course, but then I had such good experience with P for Mac...)

 

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The following link is a very good example of why you have no cause to complain.

http://www.parallels.com/en/products/workstation/sr/
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Not a complaint, really, more a musing... BTW, have you looked closely at the page you're referring me to? Not a single mention of a 64-bit primary OS not being suitable to install PW 2.2 in. The page does refer to the Installation Guide for PW 2.1, however, and there it states that requirement clearly. Apparently, it still applies to PW 2.2 as well -- I still think that Parallels should make that clearer in their web pages.

That said, I have now decided to install PW 2.2 in a 32-bit version of Ubuntu Edgy, since I already love the way the related Parallels Desktop for Mac works on my little MacBook. (Besides, a little spat between lovers isn't the end of the world, no?)

 

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Primary OS Computer Hardware Requirements

The computer to be used for installing and running Parallels Workstation should meet the following hardware requirements:

* 400 MHz or faster processor which supports the Pentium II instruction set. 1,5 GHz or faster is recommended.
* 32bit platform.

The second dot point. 32bit platform. I really don't know how much clearer it could be.
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Well, I know you're wrong on this, but then Parallels haven't been too clear on this themselves. For the benefit of other users who want to run PW 2.2 on a 64-bit platform I give the following reference:

I guessed it will work for 2.2 as well... and indeed it does: I can compile/load the drivers, configure a VM and boot a liveCD in it. I'll pursue a few remaining problems in a separate thread.

Have fun!

 

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At least you're reading it all carefully now.
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