I have this problem too
kernel 2 2.6.31-3-generic
VirtualBox 3.0.2 for Linux
dmesg | grep watchdog
[0.00] Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-3-generic
root=UUID=bf7e7382-637c-49b2-b010-a56276e27219 ro quiet splash nmi_watchdog=0
[ 20.440185] vboxdrv: Trying to
dmesg | grep watchdog
[0.00] Command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-3-generic
root=UUID=b086dc0d-0fe7-4487-855b-494761765ca7 ro quiet acpi_osi=Linux nosplash
[b]nmi_watchdog=0[/b]
[0.00] Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-3-generic
Related bug reports:
Bug #400227
http://www.virtualbox.org/ticket/4529
** Bug watch added: Virtualbox Trac #4529
http://www.virtualbox.org/ticket/4529
--
vboxdrv occasionally fails to load on karmic 2.6.30 kernels due to active
nmi_watchdog
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/399732
You
Confirm on 2.6.31-3
dmesg | grep watchdog
[0.00] Command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-3-generic
root=UUID=b086dc0d-0fe7-4487-855b-494761765ca7 ro quiet acpi_osi=Linux nosplash
[b]nmi_watchdog=0[/b]
[0.00] Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-3-generic
$ dmesg |grep NMI
[0.00] ACPI: LAPIC_NMI (acpi_id[0x00] high edge lint[0x1])
[0.00] ACPI: LAPIC_NMI (acpi_id[0x01] high edge lint[0x1])
[ 14.459621] vboxdrv: Trying to deactivate the NMI watchdog permanently...
[ 14.459625] vboxdrv: NMI watchdog either active or at least
