[Info] Starting VICE, it immediately quits

The information in this article applies to the following versions of VICE:

all DOS versions

EXPOSITION

If you start VICE, it immediately quits. The file VICE.LOG shows as the last lines:
xxxMEM: Error - couldn't load kernel ROM 'kernal'. Machine initialization failed. Exiting...
where "xxx" denotes the type of machine you're trying to run, for example, "C64".

INFO

The ZIP file for VICE does have some directories which have to be restored and files have to be put into them. If this does not occur, VICE cannot find these files and immediately quits. Not every unpacker restored these directories by default.

SOLUTION

If you're using pkunzip, you have to include the -doption. This is already described in the readme.dos file you find inside of your VICE package. If you're using another unpacker, lookup the exact option there.

STATUS

This document is for information purpose only. The behaviour reported is intentional in the VICE versions listed at the beginning of this article.

REVISION

August 26, 2003: Original release of this document

Last Reviewed: August 26, 2003