Linux stability problems with my desktop machine

zeigleml · 06-02-2011, 10:14 PM

I am having difficulty getting any version/distribution of Linux to run on my desktop machine. This has been an ongoing problem now for some time. I am wondering how to determine what is the cause of this instability.

The machine is a 64 bit machine built by myself. I have an AMD 3800 dual core 64 bit processor with an MSI board. I have it dual booting between Linux and Windows XP. XP runs without any problems.

For a while now, I have been running Fedora 13. I had stability problems and kept updating the kernel until I finally found one that was stable on this machine. I stayed with it for some time. I wanted to upgrade my system so I tried Fedora 15. I cannot even get the kernel the installer uses to run. The 64 bit installation crashes every time. I tried installing from the second DVD drive and it still behaves the same. I also tried one of the live CDs and they will crash before totally booting. I then went back to Fedora 14 and was able to install it without issue, but the kernel will crash at least once a day.

Next, I tried to go back to Fedora 15, but install the 32bit installation. I installed it but still occasionally get crashes/kernel panics.

I have the bios flashed with the latest update.

I do not believe this is distribution related. While I haven't tried recently, in the past I have tried other distributions and got the same behavior.

Does anyone have any suggestions how I solve this? I felt it was hardware but why does Windows and that one Linux kernel run without issue? Could there be any setting in my bios I should change?

TobiSGD · 06-03-2011, 01:57 AM

What do you mean with crashing? Post the error messages you get, or we have to guess what is going on.
If you think that it is hardware do some basic tests, like Memtest86+ and the harddisk manufacturers diagnosis tool.
You also may want to set the BIOS settings to their default value and try some kernel parameters, like noacpi, noapic and so on.

onebuck · 06-03-2011, 07:37 AM

Hi,

Welcome to LQ!

I really think that diagnostics should be run on the hardware to rule that issue out.

UBCD Ultimate Boot CD allows users to run floppy-based diagnostic tools from most CDROM drives on Intel-compatible machines, no operating system required. The CD includes many diagnostic utilities. Memtest86+ is on UBCD, run that for a few passes or overnight if possible.

Tools, Recovery, Diagnostic, Emergency contains more tools to hopefully help in diagnosis.

Win XP is really not a good base guide.

I believe this issue is hardware & possibly the way you have configured things. If it is a intermittent hardware issue then you do have a lot of work ahead.

Moved this thread to <Linux-Hardware> to provide a broader audience that may help you to solve the issue(s).

slimg00dy · 06-05-2011, 08:49 AM

Can you post the kernel panic messages?

Soadyheid · 06-06-2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

The machine is a 64 bit machine built by myself. I have an AMD 3800 dual core 64 bit processor with an MSI board. I have it dual booting between Linux and Windows XP. XP runs without any problems.

Sounds just like my set up,AMD 3800, MSI board, I've been running Ubuntu (10.10 now)on it for quite some time. What's the Mobo part No.? Can you also give us the spec of any other added cards?

Oh! and welcome to LQ from me as well!

Play Bonny!

jefro · 06-06-2011, 03:49 PM

Linux may never work correctly. It was never tested on linux at the factory.

I'd at least set bios to failsafe or default settings and be sure that you have best quality ide or sata cables. Run memtest for a few days too. Re-check any voltages and memory timings.

cascade9 · 06-09-2011, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soadyheid

What's the Mobo part No.? Can you also give us the spec of any other added cards?

+1. Without more information, we are just guessing.

Copying the ouput from 'lspci' and 'lshw' would help. BTW, please paste the output from those commands into 'code'tags, it keeps the thread tidy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefro

Linux may never work correctly. It was never tested on linux at the factory.

LMAO.

How many manufacturers test motherboards with linux distros? Offically, not 'techies playing with the hardware in the backroom'. Virtually none I'll bet.

zeigleml · 06-10-2011, 09:34 AM

My Motherboard is a K8N Neo4 Platinum (PCB 3.0), MS-7125. I have 4 GB of memory in it (4 - 1 GB sticks), 2 sets of Corsair Dual channel. I have an Nvidia GeForce 6600 GT video card. I am using the nouveav driver.

Output of lspci:

Code:

00:00.0 Memory controller: nVidia Corporation CK804 Memory Controller (rev a3)
00:01.0 ISA bridge: nVidia Corporation CK804 ISA Bridge (rev a3)
00:01.1 SMBus: nVidia Corporation CK804 SMBus (rev a2)
00:02.0 USB Controller: nVidia Corporation CK804 USB Controller (rev a2)
00:02.1 USB Controller: nVidia Corporation CK804 USB Controller (rev a3)
00:04.0 Multimedia audio controller: nVidia Corporation CK804 AC'97 Audio Controller (rev a2)
00:06.0 IDE interface: nVidia Corporation CK804 IDE (rev f2)
00:07.0 IDE interface: nVidia Corporation CK804 Serial ATA Controller (rev f3)
00:08.0 IDE interface: nVidia Corporation CK804 Serial ATA Controller (rev f3)
00:09.0 PCI bridge: nVidia Corporation CK804 PCI Bridge (rev a2)
00:0a.0 Bridge: nVidia Corporation CK804 Ethernet Controller (rev a3)
00:0b.0 PCI bridge: nVidia Corporation CK804 PCIE Bridge (rev a3)
00:0c.0 PCI bridge: nVidia Corporation CK804 PCIE Bridge (rev a3)
00:0d.0 PCI bridge: nVidia Corporation CK804 PCIE Bridge (rev a3)
00:0e.0 PCI bridge: nVidia Corporation CK804 PCIE Bridge (rev a3)
00:18.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] HyperTransport Technology Configuration
00:18.1 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Address Map
00:18.2 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] DRAM Controller
00:18.3 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Miscellaneous Control
01:0c.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): VIA Technologies, Inc. VT6306/7/8 [Fire II(M)] IEEE 1394 OHCI Controller (rev 80)
03:00.0 Ethernet controller: Marvell Technology Group Ltd. 88E8053 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (rev 15)
05:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation NV43 [GeForce 6600 GT] (rev a2)

Output of lshw:

Code:

chism.zigsoft.com         
    description: Desktop Computer
    product: MS-7125
    vendor: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD
    version: 1.0
    width: 64 bits
    capabilities: smbios-2.3 dmi-2.3 vsyscall64 vsyscall32
    configuration: boot=normal chassis=desktop
  *-core
       description: Motherboard
       product: MS-7125
       vendor: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD
       physical id: 0
       version: 1.0
     *-firmware
          description: BIOS
          vendor: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
          physical id: 0
          version: 6.00 PG
          date: 05/22/2006
          size: 128KiB
          capacity: 448KiB
          capabilities: isa pci pnp apm upgrade shadowing cdboot bootselect socketedrom edd int13floppy360 int13floppy1200 int13floppy720 int13floppy2880 int5printscreen int9keyboard int14serial int17printer int10video acpi usb ls120boot zipboot biosbootspecification
     *-cpu:0
          description: CPU
          product: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+
          vendor: Hynix Semiconductor (Hyundai Electronics)
          physical id: 3
          bus info: cpu@0
          version: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+
          slot: Socket 939
          size: 2010MHz
          capacity: 3GHz
          width: 64 bits
          clock: 201MHz
          capabilities: fpu fpu_exception wp vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush mmx fxsr sse sse2 ht syscall nx mmxext fxsr_opt x86-64 3dnowext 3dnow rep_good pni lahf_lm cmp_legacy
        *-cache:0
             description: L1 cache
             physical id: b
             slot: Internal Cache
             size: 128KiB
             capacity: 128KiB
             capabilities: synchronous internal write-back
        *-cache:1
             description: L2 cache
             physical id: d
             slot: External Cache
             size: 512KiB
             capacity: 512KiB
             capabilities: synchronous internal write-back
     *-cpu:1
          description: CPU
          vendor: AMD
          physical id: 5
          bus info: cpu@1
          version: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+
          slot: Socket 939
          size: 2010MHz
          capacity: 3GHz
          clock: 201MHz
        *-cache:0
             description: L1 cache
             physical id: c
             slot: Internal Cache
             size: 128KiB
             capacity: 128KiB
             capabilities: synchronous internal write-back
        *-cache:1
             description: L2 cache
             physical id: e
             slot: External Cache
             size: 512KiB
             capacity: 512KiB
             capabilities: synchronous internal write-back
     *-memory:0
          description: System Memory
          physical id: 1e
          slot: System board or motherboard
          size: 4GiB
        *-bank:0
             description: DIMM
             product: None
             vendor: None
             physical id: 0
             serial: None
             slot: A0
             size: 1GiB
             width: 64 bits
        *-bank:1
             description: DIMM
             product: None
             vendor: None
             physical id: 1
             serial: None
             slot: A1
             size: 1GiB
             width: 64 bits
        *-bank:2
             description: DIMM
             product: None
             vendor: None
             physical id: 2
             serial: None
             slot: A2
             size: 1GiB
             width: 64 bits
        *-bank:3
             description: DIMM
             product: None
             vendor: None
             physical id: 3
             serial: None
             slot: A3
             size: 1GiB
             width: 64 bits
     *-memory:1 UNCLAIMED
          description: Memory controller
          product: CK804 Memory Controller
          vendor: nVidia Corporation
          physical id: 4
          bus info: pci@0000:00:00.0
          version: a3
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 66MHz (15.2ns)
          capabilities: ht bus_master cap_list
          configuration: latency=0
     *-isa
          description: ISA bridge
          product: CK804 ISA Bridge
          vendor: nVidia Corporation
          physical id: 1
          bus info: pci@0000:00:01.0
          version: a3
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 66MHz
          capabilities: isa bus_master
          configuration: latency=0
     *-serial
          description: SMBus
          product: CK804 SMBus
          vendor: nVidia Corporation
          physical id: 1.1
          bus info: pci@0000:00:01.1
          version: a2
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 66MHz
          capabilities: pm cap_list
          configuration: driver=nForce2_smbus latency=0 maxlatency=1 mingnt=3
          resources: irq:5 ioport:fc00(size=32) ioport:4c00(size=64) ioport:4c40(size=64)
     *-usb:0
          description: USB Controller
          product: CK804 USB Controller
          vendor: nVidia Corporation
          physical id: 2
          bus info: pci@0000:00:02.0
          version: a2
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 66MHz
          capabilities: pm ohci bus_master cap_list
          configuration: driver=ohci_hcd latency=0 maxlatency=1 mingnt=3
          resources: irq:22 memory:fe02f000-fe02ffff
        *-usbhost
             product: OHCI Host Controller
             vendor: Linux 2.6.33.8-149.fc13.x86_64 ohci_hcd
             physical id: 1
             bus info: usb@2
             logical name: usb2
             version: 2.06
             capabilities: usb-1.10
             configuration: driver=hub slots=10 speed=12Mbit/s
           *-usb
                description: USB hub
                product: Hub
                vendor: ATEN International Co., Ltd
                physical id: 8
                bus info: usb@2:8
                version: 1.00
                capabilities: usb-1.10
                configuration: driver=hub maxpower=100mA slots=4 speed=12Mbit/s
              *-usb:0
                   description: Keyboard
                   product: USB Multimedia Keyboard
                   vendor: BTC
                   physical id: 1
                   bus info: usb@2:8.1
                   version: 1.00
                   capabilities: usb-1.10
                   configuration: driver=usbhid maxpower=100mA speed=2Mbit/s
              *-usb:1
                   description: Mouse
                   product: USB-PS/2 Optical Mouse
                   vendor: Logitech
                   physical id: 2
                   bus info: usb@2:8.2
                   version: 20.00
                   capabilities: usb-2.00
                   configuration: driver=usbhid maxpower=98mA speed=2Mbit/s
     *-usb:1
          description: USB Controller
          product: CK804 USB Controller
          vendor: nVidia Corporation
          physical id: 2.1
          bus info: pci@0000:00:02.1
          version: a3
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 66MHz
          capabilities: debug pm ehci bus_master cap_list
          configuration: driver=ehci_hcd latency=0 maxlatency=1 mingnt=3
          resources: irq:23 memory:feb00000-feb000ff
        *-usbhost
             product: EHCI Host Controller
             vendor: Linux 2.6.33.8-149.fc13.x86_64 ehci_hcd
             physical id: 1
             bus info: usb@1
             logical name: usb1
             version: 2.06
             capabilities: usb-2.00
             configuration: driver=hub slots=10 speed=480Mbit/s
     *-multimedia
          description: Multimedia audio controller
          product: CK804 AC'97 Audio Controller
          vendor: nVidia Corporation
          physical id: f
          bus info: pci@0000:00:04.0
          version: a2
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 66MHz
          capabilities: pm bus_master cap_list
          configuration: driver=Intel ICH latency=0 maxlatency=5 mingnt=2
          resources: irq:22 ioport:f000(size=256) ioport:ec00(size=256) memory:fe02d000-fe02dfff
     *-ide:0
          description: IDE interface
          product: CK804 IDE
          vendor: nVidia Corporation
          physical id: 6
          bus info: pci@0000:00:06.0
          logical name: scsi0
          logical name: scsi1
          version: f2
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 66MHz
          capabilities: ide pm bus_master cap_list emulated
          configuration: driver=pata_amd latency=0 maxlatency=1 mingnt=3
          resources: irq:0 ioport:1f0(size=8) ioport:3f6 ioport:170(size=8) ioport:376 ioport:e000(size=16)
        *-cdrom:0
             description: DVD reader
             product: DVD-ROM SDM2012C
             vendor: TOSHIBA
             physical id: 0
             bus info: scsi@0:0.0.0
             logical name: /dev/cdrom
             logical name: /dev/dvd
             logical name: /dev/scd0
             logical name: /dev/sr0
             version: TU00
             capabilities: removable audio dvd
             configuration: ansiversion=5 status=nodisc
        *-cdrom:1
             description: DVD writer
             product: DVD_RW ND-3520A
             vendor: _NEC
             physical id: 1
             bus info: scsi@1:0.0.0
             logical name: /dev/cdrom1
             logical name: /dev/cdrw1
             logical name: /dev/dvd1
             logical name: /dev/dvdrw1
             logical name: /dev/scd1
             logical name: /dev/sr1
             version: 1.04
             serial: [
             capabilities: removable audio cd-r cd-rw dvd dvd-r
             configuration: ansiversion=5 status=nodisc
     *-ide:1
          description: IDE interface
          product: CK804 Serial ATA Controller
          vendor: nVidia Corporation
          physical id: 7
          bus info: pci@0000:00:07.0
          logical name: scsi2
          logical name: scsi3
          version: f3
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 66MHz
          capabilities: ide pm bus_master cap_list emulated
          configuration: driver=sata_nv latency=0 maxlatency=1 mingnt=3
          resources: irq:21 ioport:9f0(size=8) ioport:bf0(size=4) ioport:970(size=8) ioport:b70(size=4) ioport:cc00(size=16) memory:fe02b000-fe02bfff
        *-disk:0
             description: ATA Disk
             product: WDC WD7501AALS-0
             vendor: Western Digital
             physical id: 0
             bus info: scsi@2:0.0.0
             logical name: /dev/sda
             version: 05.0
             serial: WD-WCATR1875135
             size: 698GiB (750GB)
             capabilities: partitioned partitioned:dos
             configuration: ansiversion=5 signature=c6c4c6c4
           *-volume
                description: Windows NTFS volume
                physical id: 1
                bus info: scsi@2:0.0.0,1
                logical name: /dev/sda1
                version: 3.1
                serial: 1a70d564-fdee-fa43-81c8-8557e098c6d7
                size: 698GiB
                capacity: 698GiB
                capabilities: primary bootable ntfs initialized
                configuration: clustersize=4096 created=2010-12-26 11:22:35 filesystem=ntfs state=clean
        *-disk:1
             description: ATA Disk
             product: WDC WD6401AALS-0
             vendor: Western Digital
             physical id: 1
             bus info: scsi@3:0.0.0
             logical name: /dev/sdb
             version: 01.0
             serial: WD-WCASY5656564
             size: 596GiB (640GB)
             capabilities: partitioned partitioned:dos
             configuration: ansiversion=5 signature=00015660
           *-volume:0
                description: EXT4 volume
                vendor: Linux
                physical id: 1
                bus info: scsi@3:0.0.0,1
                logical name: /dev/sdb1
                logical name: /
                version: 1.0
                serial: e664f325-c26f-4ae6-b5b5-a030438ad288
                size: 39GiB
                capacity: 39GiB
                capabilities: primary bootable journaled extended_attributes large_files huge_files dir_nlink recover extents ext4 ext2 initialized
                configuration: created=2011-06-09 08:22:58 filesystem=ext4 lastmountpoint=/ modified=2011-06-09 09:01:40 mount.fstype=ext4 mount.options=rw,seclabel,relatime,barrier=1,data=ordered mounted=2011-06-09 19:47:40 state=mounted
           *-volume:1
                description: EXT3 volume
                vendor: Linux
                physical id: 2
                bus info: scsi@3:0.0.0,2
                logical name: /dev/sdb2
                logical name: /home
                version: 1.0
                serial: 53cd43c3-5298-4d5f-8e61-fb291e0316a4
                size: 39GiB
                capacity: 39GiB
                capabilities: primary journaled extended_attributes large_files recover ext3 ext2 initialized
                configuration: created=2009-11-19 22:46:54 filesystem=ext3 modified=2011-06-09 19:47:41 mount.fstype=ext3 mount.options=rw,seclabel,relatime,errors=continue,user_xattr,acl,data=ordered mounted=2011-06-09 19:47:41 state=mounted
           *-volume:2
                description: Linux swap volume
                physical id: 3
                bus info: scsi@3:0.0.0,3
                logical name: /dev/sdb3
                version: 1
                serial: 93e17d5f-bc60-42c9-9df8-6e8b752c20ad
                size: 7000MiB
                capacity: 7000MiB
                capabilities: primary nofs swap initialized
                configuration: filesystem=swap pagesize=4096
           *-volume:3
                description: Extended partition
                physical id: 4
                bus info: scsi@3:0.0.0,4
                logical name: /dev/sdb4
                size: 511GiB
                capacity: 511GiB
                capabilities: primary extended partitioned partitioned:extended
              *-logicalvolume:0
                   description: Linux filesystem partition
                   physical id: 5
                   logical name: /dev/sdb5
                   logical name: /opt
                   capacity: 39GiB
                   configuration: mount.fstype=ext3 mount.options=rw,seclabel,relatime,errors=continue,user_xattr,acl,data=ordered state=mounted
              *-logicalvolume:1
                   description: Linux filesystem partition
                   physical id: 6
                   logical name: /dev/sdb6
                   logical name: /usr/local
                   capacity: 19GiB
                   configuration: mount.fstype=ext3 mount.options=rw,seclabel,relatime,errors=continue,user_xattr,acl,data=ordered state=mounted
              *-logicalvolume:2
                   description: Linux filesystem partition
                   physical id: 7
                   logical name: /dev/sdb7
                   logical name: /tmp
                   capacity: 5999MiB
                   configuration: mount.fstype=ext4 mount.options=rw,seclabel,relatime,barrier=1,data=ordered state=mounted
     *-ide:2
          description: IDE interface
          product: CK804 Serial ATA Controller
          vendor: nVidia Corporation
          physical id: 8
          bus info: pci@0000:00:08.0
          version: f3
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 66MHz
          capabilities: ide pm bus_master cap_list
          configuration: driver=sata_nv latency=0 maxlatency=1 mingnt=3
          resources: irq:20 ioport:9e0(size=8) ioport:be0(size=4) ioport:960(size=8) ioport:b60(size=4) ioport:b800(size=16) memory:fe02a000-fe02afff
     *-pci:0
          description: PCI bridge
          product: CK804 PCI Bridge
          vendor: nVidia Corporation
          physical id: 9
          bus info: pci@0000:00:09.0
          version: a2
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 66MHz
          capabilities: pci subtractive_decode bus_master
          resources: ioport:a000(size=4096) memory:fde00000-fdefffff memory:fdf00000-fdffffff(prefetchable)
        *-firewire
             description: FireWire (IEEE 1394)
             product: VT6306/7/8 [Fire II(M)] IEEE 1394 OHCI Controller
             vendor: VIA Technologies, Inc.
             physical id: c
             bus info: pci@0000:01:0c.0
             version: 80
             width: 32 bits
             clock: 33MHz
             capabilities: pm ohci bus_master cap_list
             configuration: driver=firewire_ohci latency=32
             resources: irq:19 memory:fdeff000-fdeff7ff ioport:ac00(size=128)
     *-bridge
          description: Ethernet interface
          product: CK804 Ethernet Controller
          vendor: nVidia Corporation
          physical id: a
          bus info: pci@0000:00:0a.0
          logical name: eth1
          version: a3
          serial: 00:13:d3:9d:9f:5c
          size: 100000000
          capacity: 1000000000
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 66MHz
          capabilities: bridge pm bus_master cap_list ethernet physical mii 10bt 10bt-fd 100bt 100bt-fd 1000bt-fd autonegotiation
          configuration: autonegotiation=on broadcast=yes driver=forcedeth driverversion=0.64 duplex=full ip=192.168.1.10 latency=0 link=yes maxlatency=20 mingnt=1 multicast=yes port=MII speed=100Mbit/s
          resources: irq:23 memory:fe029000-fe029fff ioport:b400(size=8)
     *-pci:1
          description: PCI bridge
          product: CK804 PCIE Bridge
          vendor: nVidia Corporation
          physical id: b
          bus info: pci@0000:00:0b.0
          version: a3
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 33MHz
          capabilities: pci pm msi ht pciexpress normal_decode bus_master cap_list
          configuration: driver=pcieport
          resources: irq:24 ioport:9000(size=4096) memory:fdd00000-fddfffff ioport:fdc00000(size=1048576)
     *-pci:2
          description: PCI bridge
          product: CK804 PCIE Bridge
          vendor: nVidia Corporation
          physical id: c
          bus info: pci@0000:00:0c.0
          version: a3
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 33MHz
          capabilities: pci pm msi ht pciexpress normal_decode bus_master cap_list
          configuration: driver=pcieport
          resources: irq:25 ioport:8000(size=4096) memory:fdb00000-fdbfffff ioport:fda00000(size=1048576)
        *-network DISABLED
             description: Ethernet interface
             product: 88E8053 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller
             vendor: Marvell Technology Group Ltd.
             physical id: 0
             bus info: pci@0000:03:00.0
             logical name: eth0
             version: 15
             serial: 00:13:d3:9d:9e:48
             capacity: 1Gbit/s
             width: 64 bits
             clock: 33MHz
             capabilities: pm vpd msi pciexpress bus_master cap_list rom ethernet physical tp 10bt 10bt-fd 100bt 100bt-fd 1000bt 1000bt-fd autonegotiation
             configuration: autonegotiation=on broadcast=yes driver=sky2 driverversion=1.26 firmware=N/A latency=0 link=no multicast=yes port=twisted pair
             resources: irq:28 memory:fdbfc000-fdbfffff ioport:8c00(size=256) memory:fda00000-fda1ffff(prefetchable)
     *-pci:3
          description: PCI bridge
          product: CK804 PCIE Bridge
          vendor: nVidia Corporation
          physical id: d
          bus info: pci@0000:00:0d.0
          version: a3
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 33MHz
          capabilities: pci pm msi ht pciexpress normal_decode bus_master cap_list
          configuration: driver=pcieport
          resources: irq:26 ioport:7000(size=4096) memory:fd900000-fd9fffff ioport:fd800000(size=1048576)
     *-pci:4
          description: PCI bridge
          product: CK804 PCIE Bridge
          vendor: nVidia Corporation
          physical id: e
          bus info: pci@0000:00:0e.0
          version: a3
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 33MHz
          capabilities: pci pm msi ht pciexpress normal_decode bus_master cap_list
          configuration: driver=pcieport
          resources: irq:27 ioport:6000(size=4096) memory:f4000000-fbffffff ioport:d8000000(size=134217728)
        *-display
             description: VGA compatible controller
             product: NV43 [GeForce 6600 GT]
             vendor: nVidia Corporation
             physical id: 0
             bus info: pci@0000:05:00.0
             version: a2
             width: 64 bits
             clock: 33MHz
             capabilities: pm msi pciexpress vga_controller bus_master cap_list rom
             configuration: driver=nouveau latency=0
             resources: irq:18 memory:f4000000-f7ffffff memory:d8000000-dfffffff(prefetchable) memory:fa000000-faffffff memory:f8000000-f801ffff(prefetchable)
     *-pci:5
          description: Host bridge
          product: K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] HyperTransport Technology Configuration
          vendor: Hynix Semiconductor (Hyundai Electronics)
          physical id: 100
          bus info: pci@0000:00:18.0
          version: 00
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 33MHz
     *-pci:6
          description: Host bridge
          product: K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Address Map
          vendor: Hynix Semiconductor (Hyundai Electronics)
          physical id: 101
          bus info: pci@0000:00:18.1
          version: 00
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 33MHz
     *-pci:7
          description: Host bridge
          product: K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] DRAM Controller
          vendor: Hynix Semiconductor (Hyundai Electronics)
          physical id: 102
          bus info: pci@0000:00:18.2
          version: 00
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 33MHz
     *-pci:8
          description: Host bridge
          product: K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Miscellaneous Control
          vendor: Hynix Semiconductor (Hyundai Electronics)
          physical id: 103
          bus info: pci@0000:00:18.3
          version: 00
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 33MHz
          configuration: driver=k8temp
          resources: irq:0

zeigleml · 06-10-2011, 09:50 AM

I say that I get kernel crashes, but perhaps this isn't a proper description. The majority of the time, my system just locks up or freezes. Nothing responds; the console or the network cards. I have to hit the reset button on the case. I cannot find anything in any logs.

In Fedora 15, I do get a little different behavior. I have started getting kernel panics. F15 64 bit will not install, so I cannot get any screen shots or stack traces of the kernel panic I get during the install. I was able to get F15 32 bit installed. I did find this under /var/spool/abrt.

Code:

WARNING: at kernel/rcutree.c:291 rcu_exit_nohz+0x42/0x58()
Hardware name: MS-7125
Modules linked in: fuse sunrpc ip6t_REJECT nf_conntrack_ipv6 nf_defrag_ipv6 ip6table_filter ip6_tables ppdev snd_intel8x0 snd_ac97_codec ac97_bus snd_seq m
icrocode k8temp snd_seq_device sky2 snd_pcm serio_raw parport_pc snd_timer parport forcedeth snd soundcore snd_page_alloc i2c_nforce2 ipv6 firewire_ohci pa
ta_acpi ata_generic firewire_core sata_nv pata_amd crc_itu_t nouveau ttm drm_kms_helper drm i2c_algo_bit i2c_core video [last unloaded: mperf]
Pid: 0, comm: kworker/0:0 Tainted: G W 2.6.38.6-27.fc15.i686.PAE #1
Call Trace:
[<c07e15f2>] ? printk+0x2d/0x2f
[<c044205d>] warn_slowpath_common+0x7c/0x91
[<c04924d8>] ? rcu_exit_nohz+0x42/0x58
[<c04924d8>] ? rcu_exit_nohz+0x42/0x58
[<c0442094>] warn_slowpath_null+0x22/0x24
[<c04924d8>] rcu_exit_nohz+0x42/0x58
[<c0465de7>] tick_nohz_restart_sched_tick+0x79/0x138
[<c040f855>] ? default_idle+0x87/0x92
[<c0408473>] cpu_idle+0xa1/0xa8
[<c07dc237>] start_secondary+0x228/0x22

cascade9 · 06-11-2011, 05:15 PM

I did a bit of a search, and I didnt find any major problems with that motherboard and linux. Its possible that you have slightly 'sick' hardware. A few things you can try-

Change nouveav to the closed source nvidia drivers.

Remove the side from the case and point a desktop fan into the case. This should help if your problem is heat related.

Unpower 1 of the 2 HDDs, and 1 of the 2 DVD drives.

Remove 2 sticks of RAM.

Yeah, I know, its just a test.

zeigleml · 06-11-2011, 06:43 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I have already tried most of them in some form or fashion.

I tried the Nvidia proprietary driver and the machine froze with it also.

I removed 2 of the sticks of ram. When it still failed, I replaced them with the other two. Still failed.

I unplugged the Windows drive and the system failed. I also unplugged the two drives and switched their cables. Still same result. I even tried unplugging both and starting the install on Fedora 15 without any drives and it crashed like always, without even getting to the graphical install.

I have been watching CPU temp and it pretty much stays at 36 C. I have used lm_sensors to watch it and have never been a problem. I guess it doesn't mean it still couldn't be heat, but I am having my doubts.

I also changed the memory timings from letting the board do it (i.e. "auto"), to setting them by hand (2-3-3-6) as Corsair states. Still getting the same system freeze and panics. I am currently running Memtest86 all weekend. So far no errors, but I will let it go another 24 hours and see what happens.

The only thing I have left is the Motherboard and the Video card. I do not have access to any other video card that is PCIe x16. Any other way I can rule it out? I am feeling it is the motherboard. I have seen kernel panics stating "could not load page into memory". This has nothing to do with Video. The machine is so old (5 years) that I cannot just replace a component of it without upgrading a bunch. I am preparing to replace board, processor, and memory, as well as the video card.

I still do not understand why Windows XP and Fedora 13 with a particular kernel are stable, but all other installations of Linux are not. I do not believe this is Linux's fault, but I still cannot understand why Linux is the only thing it has a problem with. Its just driving me nuts......

zeigleml · 06-12-2011, 03:42 PM

I have my memory settings at 2-3-3-6, which is what Corsair recommends for my memory. They also recommend 2.75 volts. My board is set at 2.65v. When I set the bios to 2.75, I get a flashing warning "Not recommended - system may be unstable".

Who is right? Its Corsair's memory. So shouldn't they know what their memory can handle? Could this be my problem all along?

I am trying it with 2.75 and see what happens.

TobiSGD · 06-12-2011, 03:50 PM

Both are right, your BIOS and Corsair. While the specification says that standard conform RAM has to have 2.6V (+-0.1V) for DDR1-400 you seem to have overclocker-RAM which can only (in most cases) bring its specified speed and timings with 2.75V.
So go for 2.75V and see what happens.

cascade9 · 06-13-2011, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeigleml

Thanks for the suggestions. I have already tried most of them in some form or fashion.

Oh well, probably better than none of those solutions worked, if you can track down what the issue is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeigleml

The only thing I have left is the Motherboard and the Video card. I do not have access to any other video card that is PCIe x16. Any other way I can rule it out? I am feeling it is the motherboard. I have seen kernel panics stating "could not load page into memory". This has nothing to do with Video. The machine is so old (5 years) that I cannot just replace a component of it without upgrading a bunch. I am preparing to replace board, processor, and memory, as well as the video card.

I still do not understand why Windows XP and Fedora 13 with a particular kernel are stable, but all other installations of Linux are not. I do not believe this is Linux's fault, but I still cannot understand why Linux is the only thing it has a problem with. Its just driving me nuts......

That, and the voltage issue makes me think it could well be RAM related. Its possible that XP and fedora 13 are less agressive with memory, and thats why they run OK.

+1 to TobiSGD, try it at 2.75v. If that fails, try it at 2.8v (nowhere near as risky as you might guess) or drop the timings and/or speed.

Joe of Loath · 06-13-2011, 03:35 PM

I had similar problems I couldn't diagnose; nothing would run on my box except WinXP and Debian. I swapped out everything I could, checked everything, still had problems. In the end it turned out it was the motherboard.

Do you have another mobo you could try?