To install regular non-qubes kernels in VMs, do the following in dom0:
# Make a backup of your template, just in case:
$ qvm-clone $source_template $template_vm
# Install the required package in dom0
$ sudo qubes-dom0-update grub2-xen-pvh
# Install the required packages in your TemplateVM
$ qvm-run -p -u root $template_vm "apt install -y --no-install-recommends grub2 linux-headers-amd64 linux-image-amd64 qubes-kernel-vm-support"
$ qvm-shutdown --wait $template_vm
# Change template of your target VM
$ qvm-prefs $target_vm template $template_vm
# Change kernel on your target VM
$ qvm-prefs $target_vm kernel pvgrub2-pvh
The above will allow you to install whatever kernel you want in a vm. You just need to make sure to define $source_template and $template_vm (a template) and $target_vm (sys-usb ?), and change the apt command to dnf if your template is fedora-based.
Also, if you’re changing kernel on an HVM vm (like sys-usb and sys-net), you may need to set the kernel parameter to None:
$ qvm-prefs $target_vm kernel ''
Are you sure it’s not just a VM RAM issue?
# Check available RAM
$ qvm-prefs $target_vm memory
# Increase RAM
$ qvm-prefs $target_vm memory 1500
# Restart the VM
$ qvm-shutdown --wait $target_vm
$ qvm-start $target_vm
I’d say it’s worth a try.
You could also check VM logs:
$ less /var/log/qubes/$target_vm.log