Debian Bug report logs - #443979
Linux boot hangs on AMD Geode GX systems

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Message #5 received at submit@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox, reply):

From: "Steven Tupper" <Steven.Tupper@calrec.com>

To: <submit@bugs.debian.org>

Subject: Package: installation-reports

Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2007 10:21:03 +0100

Package: installation-reports

Boot method: CD with a netinst image
Image version: 1st one i am not sure but second attempt was from http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/4.0_r1/i386/iso-cd/debian-40r1-i386-netinst.iso
Date: been trying on and off since the week of 10th sept 2007

Machine: ETX-LX-800 R10 board on an mini ITX base board
Processor: AMD Geode GX MMX 500MHz
Memory: 256MB + 8MB graphics
Partitions: none yet, didnt get that far but i am using a 2GB Sandisk Extreme 3 compact flash card via an IDE adapter - set as primary on an ide bus with a CDRW drive as secondary on the same cable

Output of lspci -nn and lspci -vnn: i can't get this far/don't know what this is

Base System Installation Checklist:
[O] = OK, [E] = Error (please elaborate below), [ ] = didn't try it

Initial boot: [ O]
Detect network card: [ installer falls over before this]
Configure network: [ installer falls over before this]
Detect CD: [ Ok for boot but installer doesnt get far enough]
Load installer modules: [loads vmlinuxz and initrd.gz then falls over ]
Detect hard drives: [ installer falls over before this]
Partition hard drives: [ installer falls over before this]
Install base system: [ installer falls over before this]
Clock/timezone setup: [ installer falls over before this]
User/password setup: [ installer falls over before this]
Install tasks: [ installer falls over before this]
Install boot loader: [ installer falls over before this]
Overall install: [E ]

Comments/Problems:

I run up the system and it boots to the cd which runs the Debian installer app.
I get the splash screen with the 'F1 or enter' text.
If i just press enter i get a blank screen with a flashing cursor, if i press f1 then install i get:

Loading /install.386/vmlinuz...............
Loading /install.386/initrd.gz...............
Ready.
_

and there is where it sits until i reboot it.
I tried another disk image just to make sure the disk was ok and got the same result.
I tried installing Fedora, that works fine so i am pretty sure my hardware is functional.
I then read through some of the Debian install docs resulting in changes to my Bios as follows:
using extended memory
disabled virus warnings
disabled video bios shadow
set power management to APM and disabled all the various other power management

This made no difference so i started playing with installer command line arguments. I have tried various combinations of the following (sorry about this next bit):
tried expert and install
mem=256m
priority=low
fb=false
video=vga16:off
DEBIAN_FRONTEND= i 've tried all the options noninteractive, text, newt, gtk
BOOT_DEBUG=3 and 2|3
noapic
nolapic
acpi=off
DEBCONF_DEBUG=5
vga=771 also tried 769, 784, 785, 786, 787, 788, 789, 773, 790, 791, 792, 775 but they all give me blank screens - values higher than 792 give me the 'not supported under vesa' type message and a scan of the video modes available gives me the following (but i don't really think this helps you at all):
0 0f00 80x25
1 0f01 80x50
2 0f02 80x43
3 0f03 80x28
4 0f05 80x30
5 0f06 80x34
6 0f07 80x60
7 0100 40x25

at no point do i get any additional debug and alt f1-f12 and alt cntrl f1-f12 do nothing.

As you can see i am now in the clutching at straws stage Wink
Any help or guidance you might have would be very useful
thanks
Steve

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Message #10 received at 443979@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox, reply):

From: bob@proulx.com (Bob Proulx)

To: 443979@bugs.debian.org

Cc: Steven Tupper <Steven.Tupper@calrec.com>

Subject: Re: Package: installation-reports

Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2008 13:55:51 -0600

Steven Tupper wrote:
> Machine: ETX-LX-800 R10 board on an mini ITX base board
> Processor: AMD Geode GX MMX 500MHz
> Memory: 256MB + 8MB graphics
> Comments/Problems:
> 
> I run up the system and it boots to the cd which runs the Debian
> installer app.  I get the splash screen with the 'F1 or enter' text.
> If i just press enter i get a blank screen with a flashing cursor,
> if i press f1 then install i get:
> 
> Loading /install.386/vmlinuz...............
> Loading /install.386/initrd.gz...............
> Ready.
> _
> 
> and there is where it sits until i reboot it.

I am seeing an almost identical issue using an AMD Geode GX-MMX 333MHz
with 256M of ram in an Acrosser AR-B1554A.

Testing to determine other datapoints.  Woody installer boots linux
2.2.20 and 2.4.18.  Sarge installer boots linux 2.4.27 and 2.6.8.  But
Etch will not boot 2.6.18, Lenny will not boot 2.6.22 and Sid will not
boot 2.6.24.  Booting DSL-N boots linux 2.6.12 okay.  Booting an FC8
live cdrom boots linux 2.6.24 okay.

Bob

Message #15 received at 443979@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox, reply):

From: Frans Pop <elendil@planet.nl>

To: Bob Proulx <bob@proulx.com>, 443979@bugs.debian.org

Subject: Re: Bug#443979: Package: installation-reports

Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2008 21:32:54 +0100

On Sunday 09 March 2008, Bob Proulx wrote:
> Testing to determine other datapoints.  Woody installer boots linux
> 2.2.20 and 2.4.18.  Sarge installer boots linux 2.4.27 and 2.6.8.  But
> Etch will not boot 2.6.18, Lenny will not boot 2.6.22 and Sid will not
> boot 2.6.24.  Booting DSL-N boots linux 2.6.12 okay.  Booting an FC8
> live cdrom boots linux 2.6.24 okay.

This is obviously not so much an installer issues, but more a kernel issue.
Somewhere along the line the kernel changed in a way that is incompatible 
with your hardware, either the (upstream) kernel code or the kernel config.

Comparing the kernel configs of that FC8 kernel and the Debian 2.6.24 kernel 
could give us some clues then.

Cheers,
FJP

Message #20 received at 443979@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox, reply):

From: Geert Stappers <stappers@stappers.nl>

To: 443979@bugs.debian.org

Cc: Bob Proulx <bob@proulx.com>, Steven Tupper <Steven.Tupper@calrec.com>

Subject: Re: Bug#443979: Package: installation-reports, soft-cpu???

Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2008 08:45:15 +0100

Op 09-03-2008 om 21:32 schreef Frans Pop:
> 
> This is obviously not so much an installer issues, but more a kernel issue.
> Somewhere along the line the kernel changed in a way that is incompatible 
> with your hardware, either the (upstream) kernel code or the kernel config.
> 
> Comparing the kernel configs of that FC8 kernel and the Debian 2.6.24 kernel 
> could give us some clues then.

The first thing to check,
would be the math co-processor emulation support in the kernel.

HtH
GSt

Message #25 received at 443979@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox, reply):

From: bob@proulx.com (Bob Proulx)

To: Geert Stappers <stappers@stappers.nl>, 443979@bugs.debian.org

Subject: Re: Bug#443979: Package: installation-reports, soft-cpu???

Date: Fri, 16 May 2008 18:22:58 -0600

Regarding the failure to load Debian 2.6 kernels on a Geode system...

Geert Stappers wrote:
> Op 09-03-2008 om 21:32 schreef Frans Pop:
> > This is obviously not so much an installer issues, but more a kernel issue.

Agreed.  But finding this report I decided to add to it.  Feel free to
reassign this to a more appropriate project.

> > Somewhere along the line the kernel changed in a way that is incompatible 
> > with your hardware, either the (upstream) kernel code or the kernel config.
> > 
> > Comparing the kernel configs of that FC8 kernel and the Debian 2.6.24 kernel 
> > could give us some clues then.
> 
> The first thing to check,
> would be the math co-processor emulation support in the kernel.

The DSL-N 2.6.12 kernel boots okay and reports the following flags.

  dsl@dslbox:~$ cat /proc/cpuinfo 
  processor       : 0
  vendor_id       : Geode by NSC
  cpu family      : 5
  model           : 1
  model name      : Cx486DLC
  stepping        : 0
  cpu MHz         : 332.052
  fdiv_bug        : no
  hlt_bug         : no
  f00f_bug        : no
  coma_bug        : no
  fpu             : yes
  fpu_exception   : yes
  cpuid level     : 1
  wp              : yes
  flags           : fpu de pse tsc msr cx8 pge cmov mmx mmxext 3dnowext
  3dnow
  bogomips        : 647.16

AFAIK the fpu flag indicates a math co-processor.

Bob

Message #30 received at 443979@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox, reply):

From: bob@proulx.com (Bob Proulx)

To: Frans Pop <elendil@planet.nl>, 443979@bugs.debian.org

Subject: Re: Bug#443979: Package: installation-reports

Date: Sat, 17 May 2008 16:48:59 -0600

[Message part 1 (text/plain, inline)]

Frans Pop wrote:
> Bob Proulx wrote:
> > Testing to determine other datapoints.  Woody installer boots linux
> > 2.2.20 and 2.4.18.  Sarge installer boots linux 2.4.27 and 2.6.8.  But
> > Etch will not boot 2.6.18, Lenny will not boot 2.6.22 and Sid will not
> > boot 2.6.24.  Booting DSL-N boots linux 2.6.12 okay.  Booting an FC8
> > live cdrom boots linux 2.6.24 okay.

A correction to my previous data.  FC8 live uses the 2.6.23 kernel
which boots successfully.  I was confused when I said 2.6.24.

> This is obviously not so much an installer issues, but more a kernel issue.
> Somewhere along the line the kernel changed in a way that is incompatible 
> with your hardware, either the (upstream) kernel code or the kernel config.

Agreed.  However this seemed the most appropriate bug report to add
information.  Feel free to assign this to a more appropriate package.

> Comparing the kernel configs of that FC8 kernel and the Debian 2.6.24 kernel 
> could give us some clues then.

Attached is the FC8 kernel config that I extracted from the live boot
on the machine.  There are some interesting differences.

Bob

[config-2.6.23.1-42.fc8 (text/plain, attachment)]

Message #35 received at 443979@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox, reply):

From: bob@proulx.com (Bob Proulx)

To: control@bugs.debian.org, 443979@bugs.debian.org

Cc: Steven Tupper <Steven.Tupper@calrec.com>, Frans Pop <elendil@planet.nl>

Subject: Re: Bug#443979: Package: installation-reports

Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 11:35:43 -0600

reassign 443979 linux-image-2.6-486
retitle 443979 Linux boot hangs on AMD Geode GX systems
thanks

I am reassigning this to the kernel package.  It isn't an installer
problem.  Hoping that this will get different exposure and that
someone reading it will have some insight into the problem.

Bob

Message #46 received at 443979@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox, reply):

From: Timo Juhani Lindfors <timo.lindfors@iki.fi>

To: 443979@bugs.debian.org

Subject: CONFIG_FIRMWARE_EDID=n fixes this (Bug#443979: Linux boot hangs on AMD Geode GX systems)

Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:26:29 +0200

Hi,

we hit this bug with Geode systems "PC Engines ALIX.3C3 LX800" and
"IEI PCISA-LX-800-R11". We can avoid the early hang of the kernel if
recompile it with CONFIG_FIRMWARE_EDID disabled.

Steven, can you test if this solves the problem for you too?

best regards,
Timo Lindfors

Message #51 received at 443979@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox, reply):

From: Moritz Muehlenhoff <jmm@inutil.org>

To: Steven Tupper <Steven.Tupper@calrec.com>

Cc: 443979@bugs.debian.org, Timo Juhani Lindfors <timo.lindfors@iki.fi>

Subject: Re: CONFIG_FIRMWARE_EDID=n fixes this (Bug#443979: Linux boot hangs on AMD Geode GX systems)

Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:51:18 +0200

On Fri, Feb 27, 2009 at 09:26:29AM +0200, Timo Juhani Lindfors wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> we hit this bug with Geode systems "PC Engines ALIX.3C3 LX800" and
> "IEI PCISA-LX-800-R11". We can avoid the early hang of the kernel if
> recompile it with CONFIG_FIRMWARE_EDID disabled.
> 
> Steven, can you test if this solves the problem for you too?

Steven wasn't CCed.

Cheers,
        Moritz

Message #56 received at 443979@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox, reply):

From: "Steven Tupper" <Steven.Tupper@calrec.com>

To: "Moritz Muehlenhoff" <jmm@inutil.org>

Cc: <443979@bugs.debian.org>,"Timo Juhani Lindfors" <timo.lindfors@iki.fi>

Subject: RE: CONFIG_FIRMWARE_EDID=n fixes this (Bug#443979: Linux boot hangs on AMD Geode GX systems)

Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:01:05 +0100

Hi
I can confirm that recompiling the kernel source with
CONFIG_FIRMWARE_EDID disabled fixed the non booting issue
Any chance that new releases could have a Geode version?
Anyway, thank you for your help


-----Original Message-----
From: Moritz Muehlenhoff [mailto:jmm@inutil.org] 
Sent: 13 August 2009 23:51
To: Steven Tupper
Cc: 443979@bugs.debian.org; Timo Juhani Lindfors
Subject: Re: CONFIG_FIRMWARE_EDID=n fixes this (Bug#443979: Linux boot
hangs on AMD Geode GX systems)

On Fri, Feb 27, 2009 at 09:26:29AM +0200, Timo Juhani Lindfors wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> we hit this bug with Geode systems "PC Engines ALIX.3C3 LX800" and 
> "IEI PCISA-LX-800-R11". We can avoid the early hang of the kernel if 
> recompile it with CONFIG_FIRMWARE_EDID disabled.
> 
> Steven, can you test if this solves the problem for you too?

Steven wasn't CCed.

Cheers,
        Moritz

This electronic transmission is strictly confidential and intended solely for the addressee(s). If you are not the intended addressee, you must not disclose, copy or take any action in reliance of this email.  If you have received this email in error please notify the sender as soon as possible. Any views expressed within this email may not necessarily be the views held by Calrec Audio Ltd.  Calrec Audio Ltd have taken measures to ensure this email is free from computer viruses, however it is recommended that you also employ anti-virus measures on your computer systems.
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Message #61 received at 443979@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox, reply):

From: Hideki Yamane <henrich@debian.or.jp>

To: 443979@bugs.debian.org

Subject: debian-installer works with AMD Geode systems by using "lxfb"

Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:09:52 +0900

Hi,

 A user reported that he failed to install even with custom "CONFIG_FIRMWARE_EDID=n"
 kernel, but non-custom installer could work with "video=lxfb:1024×600-32@60" 
 option.

 He uses "Kojinsha SA5ST12A", it has AMD Geode LX800 chip.
 http://jp.kohjinsha.com/support/content/supt/sa/sa5st12a/specification/index.html
 (Japanese)

 I hope it would be help.


-- 
Regards,

 Hideki Yamane     henrich @ debian.or.jp/iijmio-mail.jp
 http://wiki.debian.org/HidekiYamane

Message #66 received at 443979@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox, reply):

From: João Carneiro <baptista.carneiro@gmail.com>

To: 443979@bugs.debian.org

Subject: Works for me!

Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2011 00:23:50 +0000

[Message part 1 (text/plain, inline)]

http://www.ebn-pos.com/products/Spec_SolidPPC50.php -> PPC508


after some struggle i finally found this bug report and my AMD GEODE LX800
booted fine with stock kernel via pxe with "video=lxfb:800×600-32@60".

Best regards,

JC

Hi,

 A user reported that he failed to install even with custom
"CONFIG_FIRMWARE_EDID=n"
 kernel, but non-custom installer could work with "video=lxfb:1024×600-32@60"
 option.

 He uses "Kojinsha SA5ST12A", it has AMD Geode LX800 chip.
 http://jp.kohjinsha.com/support/content/supt/sa/sa5st12a/specification/index.html
 (Japanese)

 I hope it would be help.


-- 
Regards,

 Hideki Yamane     henrich @ debian.or.jp/iijmio-mail.jp
 http://wiki.debian.org/HidekiYamane

[Message part 2 (text/html, inline)]

Message #71 received at 443979-done@bugs.debian.org (full text, mbox, reply):

From: Moritz Mühlenhoff <jmm@inutil.org>

To: 439435-done@bugs.debian.org, 428615-done@bugs.debian.org, 443979-done@bugs.debian.org, 447153-done@bugs.debian.org, 495014-done@bugs.debian.org, 497562-done@bugs.debian.org, 498576-done@bugs.debian.org, 498724-done@bugs.debian.org

Subject: Closing

Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2013 19:01:55 +0200

Hi,
your bug has been filed against the "linux-2.6" source package and was filed for
a kernel older than the recently released Debian 7.0 / Wheezy with a severity
less than important.

We don't have the ressources to reproduce the complete backlog of all older kernel
bugs, so we're closing this bug for now. If you can reproduce the bug with Debian Wheezy
or a more recent kernel from testing or unstable, please reopen the bug by sending
a mail to control@bugs.debian.org with the following three commands included in the
mail:

reopen BUGNUMBER
reassign BUGNUMBER src:linux
thanks

Cheers,
        Moritz

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