Default kernel requires PAE 12.10 beta 2

[Greg Weber]

Testing:
testing 12.10 beta 2 on spare IBM thinkpad t41 outputs following error on startup:

"
This kernel requires the following features not present on the CPU:
pae
Unable to boot - please use a kernel appropriate for your CPU
"

Proposed problem:
The only LiveCD supporting 32bit processors requires PAE. This makes the LiveCD not work for 32bit processors not supporting PAE, while the benefit is making 32bit processors with PAE support support more RAM. Effectively the LiveCD makes life a little easier for people slightly newer old 32 bit computers if they have alot of RAM for a 32 bit computer or it prevents it from starting if their computer's CPU does not support PAE, physical address extension.

12.10 beta 2 + 32 bit CPU without PAE = not Ubuntu user
12.10 beta 2 + 32 bit CPU with PAE = Ubuntu user with access to 4GB+ RAM out of the box, if they have that much RAM

12.10 beta 2 + 64 bit CPU = Uneffected

Proposed resolution:
Change the kernel package on the LiveCD to the one supporting 32 bit processors but not requiring PAE

New LiveCD beta not requiring PAE + 32 bit CPU without PAE = happy Ubuntu tester
New LiveCD beta not requiring PAE + 32 bit CPU with PAE = happy Ubuntu tester which has to install kernel after install for access to greater then 4GB RAM if they have that much RAM

64 bit CPU = Uneffected

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This bug is missing log files that will aid in diagnosing the problem. From a terminal window please run:

apport-collect 1058748

and then change the status of the bug to 'Confirmed'.

If, due to the nature of the issue you have encountered, you are unable to run this command, please add a comment stating that fact and change the bug status to 'Confirmed'.

This change has been made by an automated script, maintained by the Ubuntu Kernel Team.

[Greg Weber (gregweber)]

In response to Comment #1 ( https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1058748/comments/1 ) , due to the nature of the issue there is no access to a terminal or virtual terminal by pressing Alt+F1, Alt+F2, Ctrl+Alt+F1,Ctrl+Alt+F2 and the only output is as follows as included in the initial report at beginning and copied here for convenience:

"
This kernel requires the following features not present on the CPU:
pae
Unable to boot - please use a kernel appropriate for your CPU
"
I would guess that this is output from boot loader but, hey may be from kernel and what people may be looking for.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Greg Weber, thank you for reporting this and helping make Ubuntu better. However, as per https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-devel/2011-November/034498.html Ubuntu no longer supports non-PAE kernels in Precise onwards. If you insist on using the non-PAE generic version of the kernel, you have a couple options, use Xubuntu or Lubuntu.

Thank you for your understanding.

[roland aus köln (devzero-c)]

Christopher,
Lubuntu is based on Ubuntu, and so Lubuntu does not boot either, it gives the same error.

Shame on (L)Ubuntu that they ignore users with older hardware, especially if the older hardware HAS PAE support, but only the CPU (like Pentium M) doesn`t correctly tell about.

I`m sure, it could be easily workarounded in the installer, but it´s a matter of goodwill.

Let`s call it planned obsolescence....