I am using slackware linux 10.2. My problem is loading the apm kernel module so that my desktop PC gets really shutdown when I type "shutdown -h now". I have uncommented the line "#modprobe apm" in the kernel modules file, but at booting the kernel delivers the following message:

apm:BIOS not found
/lib/modules/2.4.31/kernel/arch/i386/kernel/apm.o.gz: init_module: No such device
/lib/modules/2.4.31/kernel/arch/i386/kernel/apm.o.gz: Hint: insmod errors can be caused by incorrect module parameters, including invalid IO or IRQ parameters.
You may find more information in syslog or the output from dmesg
/lib/modules/2.4.31/kernel/arch/i386/kernel/apm.o.gz: insmod /lib/modules/2.4.31/kernel/arch/i386/kernel/apm.o.gz failed
/lib/modules/2.4.31/kernel/arch/i386/kernel/apm.o.gz: insmod apm failed

The same error message appers when I try loading the apm module manually, typing "modprobe apm". My motherboard is Intel® Desktop Board D845GERG2 and my BIOS version is RG84510A.86A.0033.P17
I would be very grateful to receive some helpful advice. Thanks in advance, Martin

Isn't APM for laptops ? Did you try ACPI instead ?

Well, I browsed a lot of forums on the topic of shutting down desktop PCs, and everywhere they say the solution is simply uncommenting the "modprobe apm" line in the kernel modules file. After this the desktop PC should really shutdown when typing "shutdown -h now". But it seems that this does not work with my PC . at first I thought my BIOS does not support apm, so I upgraded it to the latest version, that does support apm. Alas, no result .
I do not have an idea how to try ACPI,if you explain to me how, I will try it

I'm not sure what kernel you use (2.4 or 2.6 ... package by Pat or compiled by yourself) but you could try something like this. Make sure you have the acpi daemon running ( chmod +x /etc/rc.d/rc.acpid ) then run the daemon ( /etc/rc.d/rc.acpid ) and then run ( modprobe button ). And try a ( shutdown -h now ) after to check if it's working. It should work if you haven't install your own kernel, and use one made by Pat.

In my limited experience, with 2.4.31 kernels I too have to go into /etc/rc.d/rc.modules and do what you did, to un-comment the apm module so that it loads at boot time; even on desktop pc's.

Once I go to 2.6.13 test kernel I found that I didnt need that line there.

Possibly? you just need the line in the lilo However, the fact that you get no apm modules available at boot time, tells me, that you have modules missing! and by default in slack install Pat clearly says modules for 2.4 required. And if you can get into X that means you got some modules there.

Did you go thru and delete modules at all to save HD space?

Or maybe did you some how mess the with the /usr/src/linux symlink or remove your header/include files.

I dont know that sounds screwy to me to be honest.

Maybe you can re-install your modules off the cd, then just run 'depmod -a' then reboot.

Yes, I am using 2.4.31 kernel, just as it was in the CD, I have not compiled it. I ran a full installation , so I have not saved any disc space for I have plenty. That is why I do not think there are kernel modules missing. But if this seems to you to be the only option, would you tell me which module I should look for in the CD, how I should install it. Please, if possible tell me the commands I have to type or suggest me some literature on how to load kernel modules and install them in case you do not feel like explaining every single command I should have to type. Thank you very much for the attention you are paying to me.
I tried what you told me with the daemons, but there was no effect.
Yours, Martin

How do you think could I have messed the symlink /usr/src/linux or removed the header/include files? where could I get some info about what these files are? How are modules reinstalled off the CD? I am sorry if I bore you with these questions, but I really wish to fix things

hi tramni

sometimes running make (or so I have read) on a package can mess things up in your computer. as I'm new I messed up my symlink to /usr/src/linux by following a how-to for something that was out of date, or I was new, I dont know for sure.

I'm not 100% sure of this OKAY, hopefully someone here on the forums can confirm this.

I should think that you should be able to just put your slackware cd # 1 in your drive, then mount it to /mnt/cdrom and copy over

-kernel-modules-2.4.31-i486-1.tgz <- section A of disc 1
-kernel-source-2.4.31-noarch-1.tgz <- section K of disc 1
-kernel-headers-2.4.31-i386-1.tgz <--section D of disc 1

to a place on your hard drive, then as 'root' just run "upgradepkg *.tgz" assuming only those three files are in that folder only! and it should reinstall them for you.


then when you reboot your slackware runs 'depmod -a' automatically as part of it's start-up scripts. then you should be fine, or so I believe, again hopefully someone can confirm this for you.

the actual apm file is found in /lib/modules/2.4.31/kernel/arch/i386/kernel of the kernel-modules package I listed above I just verified it.

if you dont have the cd's handy, just grab them off one of slackware's mirrors and be sure to md5 checksum it and gpg verify it before you install is a good practice.

As allways, back up your data first.

hi again. thank you very much for your attention. ok, i dounloaded the module packages you specified and verified their md5 sums. then i ran "installpkg" for them, but it said that it skipped them for they are already installed. maybe i should run installpkg to them, so that they get installed over the already installed packages?I will not do this until you tell me it is correct, however

hello. run this command, like this As you notice this will reinstall your currently installed package. Good luck.

awesome nykey, that goes in my slackware notebook.

yup, nice indeed, but it's Pat's "fault" not mine .

@tramni1980
You should try reading the man pages for installpkg, upgradepkg and pkgtool ( man installpkg , man upgradepkg , man pkgtool ), it might help you more in this case and other times.

I did everything you told me : in the directory with the three packages you specified I ran "upgradepkg --reinstall *.tgz" ;everything ended up successfully. then I rebooted and the kernel again compained: "apm: BIOS not found".
when I type as root "modprobe apm" the result is "/lib/modules/2.4.31/kernel/arch/i386/kernel/apm.o.gz: init_module: No such device
/lib/modules/2.4.31/kernel/arch/i386/kernel/apm.o.gz: Hint: insmod errors can be caused by incorrect module parameters, including invalid IO or IRQ parameters.
You may find more information in syslog or the output from dmesg
/lib/modules/2.4.31/kernel/arch/i386/kernel/apm.o.gz: insmod /lib/modules/2.4.31/kernel/arch/i386/kernel/apm.o.gz failed
/lib/modules/2.4.31/kernel/arch/i386/kernel/apm.o.gz: insmod apm failed
"
I beg your help ...

Execute this command please, and post back the output of it and

heh, exactly what I was going to say, but you beat me to it. tramni do that and post back.