QEMU

QEMU is the only machine Subverge has run on.

$ qemu-system-x86_64 -cdrom subverge.iso -m 256M                          live ISO
$ qemu-system-x86_64 -cdrom subverge.iso -boot d -hda disk.img -m 256M    ready to install
$ qemu-system-x86_64 -hda disk.img -m 256M                                installed disk
$ qemu-system-x86_64 -kernel build/subverge.elf -m 256M                   fresh build

Useful flags

-m 256M is enough. The kernel heap stops at 64 MB, so more memory goes unused.

-hda to -hdd attach disks. Subverge only supports IDE.

-boot d is needed when a blank disk is attached, otherwise QEMU tries to boot from it.

-rtc base=localtime sets the clock to local time instead of UTC.

Flags to avoid

virtio and NVMe disks aren't detected. -machine q35 changes the disk controller and is untested. -nographic shows nothing, since Subverge has no serial console. KVM should work but is untested, so reproduce problems without it before reporting them.

What Subverge expects

An x86-64 CPU, a Multiboot loader, VGA text mode, a PS/2 keyboard, the PIT and IDE drives. See hardware for real machines.

Ctrl-Alt-G releases the keyboard and mouse from the QEMU window.