what is a "kernel panic" in installation?

nickd3ps · 07-30-2003, 02:27 AM

i've tried to install many types of distributions of linux (debian, mandrake, red hat) from my local CD-ROM with the same negative result. the initial install sequence begins and then this message appears.. "<0> kernel panic: Aiee, killing interrupt handler! In interrupt handler - not syncing". at another time i got a message that said.. "source code: bad EIP value!" what is this all about? everything stops and a blinking cursor is all i get! Please tell me how to fix this problem! thanks, nick

mhearn · 07-30-2003, 05:06 AM

It sounds like your machine is seriously screwed. Dodgy hardware?

bongski55 · 07-30-2003, 05:32 AM

Try knoppix live cd first. If knoppix works on your pc then no reason why it will not work if installed to hd.

bulliver · 07-30-2003, 06:15 AM

Three different distro's and they all give you kernel panic????

You aren't trying to install on a PPC are you?

Maybe some hardware info would clear things up....

JamesM · 07-30-2003, 10:34 AM

The first couple of times I tried to install from CD it crashed out regardless of my choice of kernel - I think the error messages were similar to the ones you describe. I decided to remove one component at a time from my PC to try and find what was the cause. I got lucky though - I started with the simplest to remove - a USB joystick, and found that the install worked fine once I had removed it and rebooted from the installer CD.

Good luck!