[intrepid] 2.6.27-7-generic almost fails to boot if ACPI module "ac" is not loaded

[Aaron Haviland]

Binary package hint: initramfs-tools

(I suspect there's a kernel bug at heart here, feel free to reassign as necessary)

After upgrading a hardy install to intrepid alphas (starting with kernel 2.6.27-4, and also -6, and now -7), I've had problems booting which I've narrowed down as in the subject.

The problem manifests itself in the initrd, as the system hangs at multiple seemingly unrelated points (eg, waiting for root filesystem, setting the keymap, etc. I'll attach a few dmesg logs, for timestamp comparisons), although it's only a "soft" hang. If I press any keys it'll break out. (While debugging this, I got in the habit of just holding down a Control or Shift key)

With the addition of the ACPI module "ac" to /etc/initramfs-tools/modules the problem has gone away completely.

Package: initramfs-tools
Version: 0.92bubuntu15

Package: linux-image-2.6.27-7-generic
Version: 2.6.27-7.10

ProblemType: Bug
Architecture: i386
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 8.10
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
Package: initramfs-tools 0.92bubuntu15
PackageArchitecture: all
ProcEnviron:
 PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/games
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: initramfs-tools
Uname: Linux 2.6.27-7-generic i686

[Aaron Haviland (aaron-haviland)]

output from dmidecode (per https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DebuggingACPI)

[ihtarlik (ihtarlik)]

I was also experiencing this issue with my Compaq Presario F700 laptop. I held the Control key to proceed. Now, several hours later, it seems to work just fine, though nothing I can pinpoint has changed.

[ihtarlik (ihtarlik)]

I installed 8.10 on the Presario F700. Still having the same issue, so it's not just the livecd. Now I have to hold the Control key to boot my laptop several times a day...

[vinces1979 (vinces1979)]

Same problem occurs on HP Pavillion, AMD X2, with nvidia.

Holding ctrl gets the laptop to boot, and acpi=off will also work (however then halt fails).

I attached my system log files.

[vinces1979 (vinces1979)]

Problem disappeared today with the Ubuntu 2.6.27-7.14-generic kernel update

[Aaron Haviland (aaron-haviland)]

2.6.27-7.14 does not fix the problem for me. I also have an HP Pavilion, (model dv9810us), AMD X2, nvidia, &c, &c. I think I neglected to mention that detail before.

Forcing "ac" to load in initrd still works, but none of the other ACPI modules have the same effect. I don't know where to go with this bug from here.

[Troy Coons (coonstr)]

I have the same problem with my HP Pavilion Laptop model dv9810us. When Ubuntu 8.10 starts booting it stops until I hold down the CTRL key for a short time and then everything is normal.

 2.6.27-7-generic

[ihtarlik (ihtarlik)]

I'm still experiencing the issue after multiple kernel updates. To be more specific, my computer is a Compaq Presario F768WM notebook.

I have attached the output of cpuid which has information regarding my motherboard chipset and BIOS. Since there hasn't been any action on this thread for the past few months, I'm hoping this will spark users to clamor a little more loudly.

[Aaron Haviland (aaron-haviland)]

Whatever the issue actually was, it does not seem to be an issue in karmic, on my system.

[Scott James Remnant (Canonical) (canonical-scott)]

Great news!