CentOS 4.6 crashes when using the smp kernel
 

Hello all,

I'm using a supermicro computer with 4 dual core AMD opterons.

In the past, I had been running CentOS 5.1 with no problems whatsoever. However, I recently began using a new piece of software which gave segmentation faults when I attempted to run it. The vendor states that RHEL 5 is not supported for this software and suggested I downgradge to RHEL 4.

So, I obtained a copy of the CentOS 4.6 DVD and installed it. The install went fine. However, when the system boots, if I let it go to the smp kernel, it crashes after about 2 minutes.

If I choose the UP kernel from the GRUB boot menu, it runs fine (I'm actually posting from that now).

Does anyone know of any issues with CentOS 4.6 and multi processor machines?

FYI - I'm currently doing kernel updates and hoping that will fix my problem. I'll report back after my reboot :(

Thanks!

No luck with the kernel update.

For more info - CentOS 4.6 shipped with kernel 2.6.9.EL. Or at least that is what I selected to make it function.

I've updated the kernel to 2.6.9-67.0.15.EL and am getting nearly the same behavior. With the old smp kernel, the screen would go black after about 2 minutes. With the new kernel, it just freezes the screen, but doesn't go black.

Any ideas?

Just a guess, but that older kernel may not be setup to handle 8 cores. You MIGHT be in one of those situations where you have to compile a custom kernel.

Ok. I don't suppose you have a link to walkthrough for something of that magnitude would you?

I have done it once and will go to long lengths not to do it again. There are just too many things that have to be just so. Not any one thing is all that difficult, but there are a lot of them. Good luck.

I was afraid you were going to say something like that.

Ok, basic info, do I just boot to the login screen and then use crtl+alt+F1 to get a terminal and then follow the instructions I'm finding for a kernel compile?

or do I need to start with a headless system? Any hints or tips? Thanks!