2 files changed, 12 insertions, 4 deletions
diff --git a/src/python/m5/SimObject.py b/src/python/m5/SimObject.py
index 3b84d6000..8e14b63d2 100644
--- a/src/python/m5/SimObject.py
+++ b/src/python/m5/SimObject.py
@@ -623,7 +623,7 @@ class SimObject(object):
 
     def path(self):
         if not self._parent:
-            return 'root'
+            return '(orphan)'
         ppath = self._parent.path()
         if ppath == 'root':
             return self._name
diff --git a/src/python/m5/simulate.py b/src/python/m5/simulate.py
index e43f90173..2db5c6952 100644
--- a/src/python/m5/simulate.py
+++ b/src/python/m5/simulate.py
@@ -39,13 +39,19 @@ from main import options
 import SimObject
 import ticks
 import objects
+from util import fatal
 
 # define a MaxTick parameter
 MaxTick = 2**63 - 1
 
 # The final hook to generate .ini files.  Called from the user script
 # once the config is built.
-def instantiate(root):
+def instantiate():
+    root = objects.Root.getInstance()
+
+    if not root:
+        fatal("Need to instantiate Root() before calling instantiate()")
+
     # we need to fix the global frequency
     ticks.fixGlobalFrequency()
 
@@ -136,7 +142,8 @@ def drain(root):
 def resume(root):
     root.resume()
 
-def checkpoint(root, dir):
+def checkpoint(dir):
+    root = objects.Root.getInstance()
     if not isinstance(root, objects.Root):
         raise TypeError, "Checkpoint must be called on a root object."
     doDrain(root)
@@ -144,7 +151,8 @@ def checkpoint(root, dir):
     internal.core.serializeAll(dir)
     resume(root)
 
-def restoreCheckpoint(root, dir):
+def restoreCheckpoint(dir):
+    root = objects.Root.getInstance()
     print "Restoring from checkpoint"
     internal.core.unserializeAll(dir)
     need_resume.append(root)