too much work for irq17

[Clay Weber]

On Monday, January 02, 2012 06:37:22 PM Bruce Bales wrote:
> Hello, all.
> 
> I have been using kubuntu 8-04 for four years and it is running out of
> support.  For over a year I have been trying to install a later
> version, most recently, 10-4-3.  When I use the 'Try without
> installing" feature within a few minutes I get a screen full
> of  "serial I8250 too much work for irq17" and it locks up.
> 
> When I install, I see that same "too much work for IRQ17" but have
> gotten it installed a few times.  But it won't run reliably, lovking
> up with a black, blank screen within hours of startup.
> 
> The computer is a Dell 2400 series 2.4GHz desktop about six years old.
> 
> 8-04 runs 24/7 for months on end with minimal problems.  I have
> installed (or tried to install) newer versions in all three disks in
> the box.
> 
> Does this symptom indicate a hardware problem?  What is IRQ17?  Is
> there something special about Dell computers that makes them reject
> Kubuntu?
> 
> Any help gladly accepted.
> bruce

A quick google seems to indicate a problem specific to that model of Dell, and 
is not distro-specific either.

Some have reported that removing the pci modem fixed the problem.

clay