Sony Vaio - Kernel Panics after install

[Martin OConnor]

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JD wrote:
> Martin OConnor wrote:
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>> Hi all,
>>
>> I have tried everything to get dapper to run on my sony vaio in the
>> hopes of being able to ditch XP.
>>
>> First, the live CD won't boot at all unless I specify "irqpoll" as a
>> boot parameter. Even then, although the installer can repartition
>> successfully, the actual install stops around 15%. Inspection of the
>> dmesg logs reveals that the sata drive becomes 'confused'.
>>
>> I can install successfully from the alternate install cd, but once I
>> reboot, the kernel panics. I can sometimes get right into gnome before
>> it happens, but as soon as I do something that requires disk access, the
>> kernel is likely to panic.
>>
>> I have tried to update the kernel to the latest linux-686 kernel but the
>> problems remain. I have tried booting with a Breezy live cd and it seems
>> to work without problems, although less hardware is supported out of the
>> box on Breezy.
>>
>> Any help with this would be appreciated.
>>
> 
> Your description is kind of vague because it doesn't really specify the
> problems. But, like your CD problem, is your CD Rom also Sony's? It is
> possible that the problem is really because it is Sony's [stay away from
> ANY sonyware!]! For some reason sony's cdrom is very smart (read
> intrusive) up to the point it will choose for us what CD to use and what
> not to use.
> 
> Second, I need to say that ubiquity sucks, really badly! I've never seen
> a linux installer as intrusive as ubiquity! Without we ASK it to do it
> will check every partition and try to fix any 'problem'. Not to mention
> its nasty obsession with the swap partition or otherwise it just doesn't
> install. So, you might wanna do this:
> 
> 1. does your Sony have a ghost partition? You can use the livecd to
> backup and then delete this partition;
> 2. use cfdisk to create partition and use mkfs.xxx to create the file
> system. Don't let that dumb ubiquity do this for you, let it JUST install;
> 3. if you're like me who always dislike swap partition (you can dd this
> anytime), use a jumpdrive to outsmart ubiquity;
> 4. depending on your unix/linux skills & experience, minimal
> installation is always better for consistent problem. As long as you
> have aptitude and internet, you can always add more stuffs later on;
> 
> I know this is kind of general, but this is exactly what I will do if I
> were you.
> 
> JD
> 
>> Thanks,
>> Martin OConnor
> 
> 
The problem is not with the cd. The problem is with the kernel. I am
already able to manage partitions and make file systems. The problem is
that the kernel panics when boot from the hdd.

I have been able to boot into the Breezy live cd.

Thanks,
Martin OConnor
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