[Bug 20771] general: 2.6.12-10 regressions from 2.6.12-9

Fri Dec 30 22:25:18 UTC 2005

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Ubuntu | linux

------- Additional Comments From ubuntu at ytene.org  2005-12-30 22:25 UTC -------
Kernel Testing – First Report

1.Installation of the kernel image.
In keeping with instructions, first attempt was to deploy the kernel in
sub-directory 6.
Installation of the kernel generated an error at the first attempt:-

root at orac:/media/sdc1/Software/Linux/ubuntu/Kernels/6# dpkg -i
linux-image-2.6.12-10-amd64-k8-smp_2.6.12-10.24_amd64.deb
Selecting previously deselected package linux-image-2.6.12-10-amd64-k8-smp.
(Reading database ... 56684 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking linux-image-2.6.12-10-amd64-k8-smp (from
linux-image-2.6.12-10-amd64-k8-smp_2.6.12-10.24_amd64.deb) ...
Setting up linux-image-2.6.12-10-amd64-k8-smp (2.6.12-10.24) ...
Failed to create initrd image.
dpkg: error processing linux-image-2.6.12-10-amd64-k8-smp (--install):
 subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 2
Errors were encountered while processing:
 linux-image-2.6.12-10-amd64-k8-smp
root at orac:/media/sdc1/Software/Linux/ubuntu/Kernels/6#

Checked /boot and found a softlink there with a zero byte length and a .new
suffix that had clearly failed to complete during the initial dpkg -i command.

Removed the .new file and re-issued the dpkg command. This completed
successfully at the second attempt. 

Checked /boot/grub/menu.lst in an attempt to ensure that edits completed
successfully:-

>## ## End Default Options ##
>
>title           Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.12-10-amd64-k8-smp Default
>root            (hd0,0)
>kernel          /vmlinuz root=/dev/sda5 ro quiet splash
>initrd          /initrd.img
>savedefault
>boot
>
>title           Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.12-10-amd64-k8-smp Default (recovery mode)
>root            (hd0,0)
>kernel          /vmlinuz root=/dev/sda5 ro single
>initrd          /initrd.img
>boot
>
>title           Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.12-9-amd64-k8 Previous
>root            (hd0,0)
>kernel          /vmlinuz.old root=/dev/sda5 ro quiet splash
>initrd          /initrd.img.old
>savedefault
>boot
>
>title           Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.12-9-amd64-k8 Previous (recovery mode)
>root            (hd0,0)
>kernel          /vmlinuz.old root=/dev/sda5 ro single
>initrd          /initrd.img.old
>boot
>
>title           Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.12-10-amd64-k8-smp
>root            (hd0,0)
>kernel          /vmlinuz-2.6.12-10-amd64-k8-smp root=/dev/sda5 ro quiet 
>splash
>initrd          /initrd.img-2.6.12-10-amd64-k8-smp
>savedefault
>boot
>
>title           Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.12-10-amd64-k8-smp (recovery mode)
>root            (hd0,0)
>kernel          /vmlinuz-2.6.12-10-amd64-k8-smp root=/dev/sda5 ro single
>initrd          /initrd.img-2.6.12-10-amd64-k8-smp
>boot
>
>title           Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.12-9-amd64-k8
>root            (hd0,0)
>kernel          /vmlinuz-2.6.12-9-amd64-k8 root=/dev/sda5 ro quiet splash
>initrd          /initrd.img-2.6.12-9-amd64-k8
>savedefault
>boot
>
>title           Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.12-9-amd64-k8 (recovery mode)
>root            (hd0,0)
>kernel          /vmlinuz-2.6.12-9-amd64-k8 root=/dev/sda5 ro single
>initrd          /initrd.img-2.6.12-9-amd64-k8
>boot
>
>title           Ubuntu, memtest86+
>root            (hd0,0)
>kernel          /memtest86+.bin
>boot
>
>### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

2.Testing of Kernel Image
Attempts to boot the /6 kernel image all reach the same point – grub selection
completes, the screen is replaced with the default ubuntu wallpaper with the
horizontal loading bar and the message “loading modules” and the system then
hangs. Waiting for 5 minutes confirms system hang at that point.

3.Testing of Safe Mode Kernel Image
Attempting to boot into the new Kernel in safe mode result in a similar
end-point. However, after a brief delay the screen clears and the text-mode of a
dump starts to scroll rapidly up the screen. This continues indefinitely [core
dump maybe?] until I use the escape key to interrupt, where I get the following
message displayed on my screen:-

Kernel panic – not syncing – Aieee!!!

[ 89.757625] Code: 80 3f 00 7e f9 e9 1d fd ff ff f3 90 80 3f 00 7e f9 e9 4a fd
[ 89.757795] console shuts up...

At which point I assume that this kernel [even though it is No. 6] has the sync
problem that I observed in /var/log/messages when I reported this error initially.

4.Addenda relating to new Kernel Images
To give maximum validity to test results, I decided to perform all these tests
on a new, fresh, “vanilla” build. After the initial boot of the machine the
“Update Manager” in GNOME reported new packages for downloading. The first time
I saw this I accepted automatically without checking first. Turns out that there
is a new kernel being shipped, 2.6.12.16.1. For what it's worth, this hangs my
machine just as efficiently as all the rest! 

5.Final thought.
I haven't tried this yet... but it so happens that I do have the i386 DVD for
ubuntu 5.10 which I downloaded at the same time as my 64-bit version. Since I
can't do anything useful with your test kernels [sorry, Fabio! I am happy to
take your suggestions/directions on how best to proceed] I might just wipe away
this 64-bit build and try a 32-bit version instead... 

Awaiting next instruction...

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