I have installed Linux many times on many different types of PCs, but this is my first time attempting to install Linux on my notebook. I recently purchased a Compaq Presario 910US (..or CA, in Canada) notebook machine. It sports an AthlonXP 1500+, 30 GB Fujitsu 4200 RPM UDMA-100 HD, 8x8x8x24 DVD/CD-RW, and uses the Mobile Radeon 320 IGP (up to 64 MB shared memory).

I purchased this notebook for three purposes:
1) I am a network consultant for small to medium sized businesses. This will allow me to perform all mobile network diagnostics without requiring the purchase of an expensive Fluke device. Also, it will allow me to print receipts and other client documentation on the spot. There are other conveniences as well, but you get the idea

2) To run Red Hat v8.0, because I will be writing the Linux+ examination within the next month or two. This will allow me to experiment, make notes, and mess around with various network support software all in one unit.

3) To play Counter-Strike from any location (through WINE of course). Nice for long trips and LAN parties (such as when I bus 6 hours to snowboard in another province ...eg) Ontario to Quebec is a 6-8 hour bus ride, and being able to play GTA III makes the trip a pleasurable one.)




...So, here is the deal:

The RH v8.0 install CD boots without issue. When I attempt to select any type of install, whether it be GUI or text-based, the following occurs:
a) Default kernel starts to probe, detect, and load
b) Once it get to scanning the hda partitions, it halts and the following message is displayed:
hda: spurious 8259A interrupt: IRQ 7

What the hell does that mean?

Since I've never seen this message before, I have no idea what it is referring to. I'm assuming it is referring to some type of interrupt problem or conflict, but the notebook BIOS does not allow me to remap any interrupts, as the BIOS options are very limited.


How can I fix this?

Thanks.

EDIT: For the record, hda is the 30 GB Fujitsu hard disk, and hdc is the CD-RW/DVD drive.

that isn't an error messge, that is just saying your hard drives name and it IRQ (interrupt request). mabey something is wrong w/ your hd or something else.

Fair enough, but nothing is wrong with the hard disk. It is a brand new notebook, and I did a test install of WinXP Pro, and everything was perfect. I always do a pre-install of XP Pro before installing any Linux system to ensure that if Linux fails, it will not be "hardware-failure/problem" related.

My question to you is what the hell does "spurious" mean? I've checked boot logs for other Linux machines I've set up and worked on in the past, and I have never noticed "spurious" pop up. I assumed it was an error.

Have you used any sort of drive partitioning utility or drive overlay software on this drive?

The Windows XP partitioning utility was previously used, as there remains two XP partitions on the drive. Do you think this is having a negative effect?

If so, I will simply boot the system with Tom's Root Boot, and eliminate ALL current partitions?

Do you think that will solve my problem?

..quick question:

Why would the Windows XP disk partition utility have anything to do with a "spurious 8259A interrupt"?? Linux scans at the sector and device level, not the software partition level.

I'm not an expert Linux user yet, but I'm a network consultant (mainly MS products), and I can't see what the previous partition would have to do with an interrupt error.

I'll try it anyway and let you know.

Thanks for the advice.

spurious i think is your hard drives name, and you are right about the device level and not software level. there might be a conflict of irqs but if winbloze loads, then so should linux. is it possible to use another hd or something, probably not huh?

I saw this on my latest install, among other things. Turned out to be an issue with DMA. When the boot prompt appears (booting off of a RH 8 cd), use:

linux ide=nodma

That solved our problem. Partitioning and running fdisk had no effect.

Hope that helps,
Chris

You're correct. Actually, more kernel options were needed as well. I found most of the information here:


http://www.wsu.edu/~ice124/


Even though the ATI Radeon 7000 U1 IGP is still not supported in accelerated mode, the new XFree v4.3 supposedly supports it fully in accelerated 3D.

Thanks again.

Peace.