[Bug 37276] Bad blocks cause computer to freeze

[Charles Perreault]

Public bug reported:
https://launchpad.net/malone/bugs/37276

Affects: linux-source-2.6.15 linux-image-2.6.15-19-386 (Ubuntu)
       Severity: Normal
       Priority: (none set)
         Status: Unconfirmed

Description:
On dapper kernel 2.6.15-19, every time the computer tries to read data
from a bad block on an EXT3 partition, the computer freezes completely
(ctrl+alt+del doesn't work, mouse is frozen, ping doesn't work from
another pc).  I tested this behaviour on 2 hard drives with the same
results.  System log don't mention anything as if the computer was
freezing before any log could be written.

Even when using e2fsck / badblocks to search for bad blocks, the
computer will freeze when it finds the first bad block.  I booted with
Breezy Live CD (don't remember which kernel) and the computer didn't
freeze when using e2fsck (same version as before) : dmesg reported the
kernel was enable to seek to some bad sectors.

I think it's a kernel issue since booting an older kernel solved my
problem, while using the same utilities to find / fix bad blocks.