Ubuntu installation documentation - known problems

[Campbell Wallace]

I am forwarding a message which I originally sent some time ago which
may not have reached you. 

Please note that this problem persists with Ubuntu 8.10 on the Asus
motherboard, and perhaps on others using the Via VT82xx chip too.

A small addition to the documentation could save a great deal of
frustration for anyone unlucky enough to strike this. By all means
change the wording if it can be improved.


There is a problem getting Hardy and, I understand, Intrepid to boot on
some systems without adding pci=nomsi to the kernel parameters. (For
details see launchpad bug #190492  - there are several duplicates of
this bug).
This is totally confusing and extremely frustrating for new users, and
is the sort of thing that can only damage Ubuntu's reputation.

I would like to suggest that something like the following be included in
the Installation page where it can best be seen.

Users of AMD64 and other 64-bit systems.
There is a known problem with some motherboards. If your system freezes
or fails to boot, please try again , adding the kernel option pci=nomsi.
This can be done by rebooting (press the reset button, or Control + Alt
+ Delete keys simultaneously). When the boot screen appears you will be
given the choice of pressing 'c' for a command line, or 'e' to edit.
Press 'e' and then type pci=nomsi. Then reboot.

The problem occurs with the Asus A8V-VM motherboard, and no doubt with
others which use the VT8251 chip.



If you have already received this message, my apologies, but please note
that it is extremely important for some people. 

Thank you in advance

Campbell Wallace
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-doc/attachments/20081121/543e7966/attachment.html>