kernel 2.6.28 from 2.6.27 prevents Alcor reader working

[GaryW]

I am writing this bug report whilst running Kernel 2.6.27-11-generic which support my internal Alcor SD card reader just fine.

However if I try to run the latest (default) Jaunty kernel 2.6.28 then the card reader stops working.

Here is some /boot/ info
ad2k1g:~$ grep init /boot/grub/menu.lst | egrep '(2.6.27|2.6.28)'
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.27-11-generic
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.27-11-generic
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.27-9-generic
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic
initrd /initrd.img-2.6.27-7-generic

I have owned this card reader for almost a year now and it worked fine during all that time with Intrepid 8.10
release.

ad2k1g:~$ date;cat /etc/*release*;uname -a;lsmod;dpkg -l | grep generic
Tue May 5 15:40:06 BST 2009
DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu
DISTRIB_RELEASE=9.04
DISTRIB_CODENAME=jaunty
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 9.04"
Linux ad2k1g 2.6.27-11-generic #1 SMP Wed Apr 1 20:57:48 UTC 2009 i686 GNU/Linux
Module Size Used by
lp 17156 0
parport_pc 39332 1
joydev 18368 0
st 45212 0
nls_iso8859_1 12032 1
nls_cp437 13696 1
vfat 18944 1
fat 57376 1 vfat
binfmt_misc 16904 1
radeon 147616 0
drm 86056 1 radeon
rfcomm 44560 0
bridge 56980 0
stp 10628 1 bridge
bnep 20480 2
sco 18308 2
l2cap 30464 6 rfcomm,bnep
bluetooth 61924 6 rfcomm,bnep,sco,l2cap
vboxnetflt 92296 0
vboxdrv 119080 1 vboxnetflt
ipv6 263972 20
xt_owner 10752 1
xt_limit 10372 8
xt_tcpudp 11008 7
ipt_LOG 13700 8
ipt_MASQUERADE 10752 0
xt_DSCP 11264 0
ipt_REJECT 11136 5
nf_conntrack_irc 13348 0
nf_conntrack_ftp 15652 0
xt_state 10112 6
af_packet 25728 2
powernow_k8 22148 1
cpufreq_powersave 9856 0
cpufreq_stats 13188 0
cpufreq_userspace 11396 0
cpufreq_ondemand 14988 1
cpufreq_conservative 14600 0
freq_table 12672 3 powernow_k8,cpufreq_stats,cpufreq_ondemand
video 25232 0
output 11008 1 video
battery 18436 0
container 11520 0
wmi 14504 0
sbs 19464 0
pci_slot 12680 0
sbshc 13440 1 sbs
squashfs 46728 1
loop 23180 2
ext3 133256 3
jbd 55828 1 ext3
mbcache 16004 1 ext3
dm_crypt 21124 0
crypto_blkcipher 25476 1 dm_crypt
dm_mod 63432 1 dm_crypt
ac 12292 0
sbp2 29324 0
snd_hda_intel 384176 3
snd_pcm_oss 46848 0
snd_seq_dummy 10884 0
snd_mixer_oss 22784 1 snd_pcm_oss
iptable_nat 13448 0
snd_seq_oss 38528 0
nf_nat 25368 2 ipt_MASQUERADE,iptable_nat
snd_seq_midi 14336 0
nf_conntrack_ipv4 21900 9 iptable_nat,nf_nat
nf_conntrack 72032 7 ipt_MASQUERADE,nf_conntrack_irc,nf_conntrack_ftp,xt_state,iptable_nat,nf_nat,nf_conntrack_ipv4
snd_pcm 83204 2 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm_oss
snd_rawmidi 29824 1 snd_seq_midi
iptable_mangle 10880 0
iptable_filter 10752 1
ip_tables 19600 3 iptable_nat,iptable_mangle,iptable_filter
snd_seq_midi_event 15232 2 snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi
ppdev 15748 0
snd_seq 57776 6 snd_seq_dummy,snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi,snd_seq_midi_event
x_tables 22916 10 xt_owner,xt_limit,xt_tcpudp,ipt_LOG,ipt_MASQUERADE,xt_DSCP,ipt_REJECT,xt_state,iptable_nat,ip_tables
snd_timer 29960 2 snd_pcm,snd_seq
snd_seq_device 15116 5 snd_seq_dummy,snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq
serio_raw 13444 0
i2c_piix4 16144 0
snd 63268 15 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_seq_oss,snd_pcm,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq,snd_timer,snd_seq_device
usblp 20480 1
soundcore 15328 1 snd
snd_page_alloc 16136 2 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm
pcspkr 10624 0
evdev 17696 6
psmouse 45200 0
button 14224 0
k8temp 12416 0
i2c_core 31892 1 i2c_piix4
parport 42604 3 lp,parport_pc,ppdev
ati_agp 14988 0
agpgart 42184 2 drm,ati_agp
reiserfs 238976 2
sg 39732 0
sr_mod 22212 0
cdrom 43168 1 sr_mod
sd_mod 42392 10
crc_t10dif 9984 1 sd_mod
pata_acpi 12160 0
ata_generic 12932 0
usb_storage 82624 2
libusual 30356 1 usb_storage
pata_atiixp 12800 0
ohci1394 37936 0
ahci 37132 5
r8169 36100 0
ieee1394 96324 2 sbp2,ohci1394
ehci_hcd 43788 0
mii 13440 1 r8169
libata 178208 4 pata_acpi,ata_generic,pata_atiixp,ahci
scsi_mod 155212 7 st,sbp2,sg,sr_mod,sd_mod,usb_storage,libata
dock 16656 1 libata
ohci_hcd 32016 0
usbcore 149488 7 usblp,usb_storage,libusual,ehci_hcd,ohci_hcd
thermal 23708 0
processor 42156 2 powernow_k8,thermal
fan 12548 0
fbcon 47648 0
tileblit 10880 1 fbcon
font 16512 1 fbcon
bitblit 13824 1 fbcon
softcursor 9984 1 bitblit
fuse 60828 3
ii fontconfig 2.6.0-1ubuntu12 generic font configuration library - support binaries
ii fontconfig-config 2.6.0-1ubuntu12 generic font configuration library - configuration
rc kviewshell 4:3.5.9-0ubuntu1 generic framework for viewer applications in KDE
ii libboost-date-time1.34.1 1.34.1-15ubuntu3 set of date-time libraries based on generic programming
ii libcroco3 0.6.1-2 a generic Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) parsing and manip
ii libfontconfig1 2.6.0-1ubuntu12 generic font configuration library - runtime
ii libfontconfig1-dbg 2.6.0-1ubuntu12 generic font configuration library - debugging symbols
ii libfontconfig1-dev 2.6.0-1ubuntu12 generic font configuration library - development
ii libsgutils1 1.24-2 Utilities for working with generic SCSI devices (shared
ii linux-generic 2.6.28.11.15 Complete Generic Linux kernel
ii linux-headers-2.6.27-11-generic 2.6.27-11.31 Linux kernel headers for version 2.6.27 on x86/x86_64
ii linux-headers-2.6.27-7-generic 2.6.27-7.16 Linux kernel headers for version 2.6.27 on x86/x86_64
ii linux-headers-2.6.27-9-generic 2.6.27-9.19 Linux kernel headers for version 2.6.27 on x86/x86_64
ii linux-headers-2.6.28-11-generic 2.6.28-11.42 Linux kernel headers for version 2.6.28 on x86/x86_64
ii linux-headers-generic 2.6.28.11.15 Generic Linux kernel headers
rc linux-image-2.6.22-15-generic 2.6.22-15.59 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.22 on x86/x86_64
rc linux-image-2.6.24-19-generic 2.6.24-19.41 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.24 on x86/x86_64
ii linux-image-2.6.27-11-generic 2.6.27-11.31 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.27 on x86/x86_64
ii linux-image-2.6.27-7-generic 2.6.27-7.16 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.27 on x86/x86_64
ii linux-image-2.6.27-9-generic 2.6.27-9.19 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.27 on x86/x86_64
ii linux-image-2.6.28-11-generic 2.6.28-11.42 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.28 on x86/x86_64
ii linux-image-generic 2.6.28.11.15 Generic Linux kernel image
rc linux-restricted-modules-2.6.22-15-generic 2.6.22.4-15.11 Non-free Linux 2.6.22 modules on x86/x86_64
rc linux-restricted-modules-2.6.24-19-generic 2.6.24.13-19.45 Non-free Linux 2.6.24 modules on x86/x86_64
ii linux-restricted-modules-2.6.27-11-generic 2.6.27-11.16 Non-free Linux kernel modules for version 2.6.27 on x86
ii linux-restricted-modules-2.6.27-7-generic 2.6.27-7.12 Non-free Linux kernel modules for version 2.6.27 on x86
ii linux-restricted-modules-2.6.27-9-generic 2.6.27-9.13 Non-free Linux kernel modules for version 2.6.27 on x86
ii linux-restricted-modules-2.6.28-11-generic 2.6.28-11.15 Non-free Linux kernel modules for version 2.6.28 on x86
ii linux-restricted-modules-generic 2.6.28.11.15 Restricted Linux modules for generic kernels
rc linux-ubuntu-modules-2.6.22-15-generic 2.6.22-15.40 Ubuntu supplied Linux modules for version 2.6.22 on x86
rc linux-ubuntu-modules-2.6.24-19-generic 2.6.24-19.28 Ubuntu supplied Linux modules for version 2.6.24 on x86
ii python-gst0.10 0.10.14-1ubuntu1 generic media-playing framework (Python bindings)
ii scim-modules-table 0.5.8-1 generic tables IM engine module for SCIM platform
rc virtualbox-ose-modules-2.6.22-14-generic 6 virtualbox-ose modules for linux-image-2.6.22-14-generi

I ran the ubuntu hardware database wizard earlier today whilst running Kern 2.6.28 (no card reader working) so a machine id lookup of ad2kz1g might get some lookup information there also.

Attached is dmesg for additional information.

I will make another attachment in the next comment posting.

[GaryW (gnubyexample)]

Now running Kern 2.6.28 will prevent a working card reader but gives the following outputs for comparison:
ad2k1g:~$ date;cat /etc/*release*;uname -a;lsusb;date;lsmod;ls -dlp /dev/usb/*
Tue May 5 16:04:31 BST 2009
DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu
DISTRIB_RELEASE=9.04
DISTRIB_CODENAME=jaunty
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 9.04"
Linux ad2k1g 2.6.28-11-generic #42-Ubuntu SMP Fri Apr 17 01:57:59 UTC 2009 i686 GNU/Linux
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 058f:6362 Alcor Micro Corp. Hi-Speed 21-in-1 Flash Card Reader/Writer (Internal/External)
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 04e8:5050 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd YP-U2 MP3 Player
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 04b8:0005 Seiko Epson Corp. Stylus D88+
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Tue May 5 16:04:31 BST 2009
Module Size Used by
binfmt_misc 16776 1
radeon 342816 2
drm 96296 3 radeon
bridge 56340 0
stp 10500 1 bridge
bnep 20224 2
vboxnetflt 91016 0
vboxdrv 117544 1 vboxnetflt
xt_owner 10624 1
xt_limit 10116 8
xt_tcpudp 11008 7
ipt_LOG 13700 8
ipt_MASQUERADE 10752 0
xt_DSCP 11264 0
ipt_REJECT 11136 5
nf_conntrack_irc 13220 0
nf_conntrack_ftp 15652 0
xt_state 10112 6
video 25360 0
output 11008 1 video
input_polldev 11912 0
squashfs 46344 1
sbp2 30476 0
lp 17156 0
iptable_nat 13700 0
nf_nat 25876 2 ipt_MASQUERADE,iptable_nat
nf_conntrack_ipv4 21388 9 iptable_nat,nf_nat
nf_conntrack 72008 7 ipt_MASQUERADE,nf_conntrack_irc,nf_conntrack_ftp,xt_state,iptable_nat,nf_nat,nf_conntrack_ipv4
nf_defrag_ipv4 9984 1 nf_conntrack_ipv4
iptable_mangle 10880 0
iptable_filter 10752 1
ip_tables 19472 3 iptable_nat,iptable_mangle,iptable_filter
x_tables 23044 10 xt_owner,xt_limit,xt_tcpudp,ipt_LOG,ipt_MASQUERADE,xt_DSCP,ipt_REJECT,xt_state,iptable_nat,ip_tables
psmouse 61972 0
ppdev 15620 0
snd_hda_intel 435636 3
snd_pcm_oss 46336 0
snd_mixer_oss 22656 1 snd_pcm_oss
ati_agp 14988 0
agpgart 42696 2 drm,ati_agp
serio_raw 13316 0
parport_pc 40100 1
parport 42220 3 lp,ppdev,parport_pc
pcspkr 10496 0
snd_pcm 82948 2 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm_oss
usblp 20224 1
snd_seq_dummy 10756 0
i2c_piix4 18448 0
snd_seq_oss 37760 0
snd_seq_midi 14336 0
snd_rawmidi 29696 1 snd_seq_midi
snd_seq_midi_...

[Alex Wauck (awauck)]

I also have an external Alcor card reader. It has the exact same vendor and device IDs as the internal reader, yet it works, while the internal reader does not. Furthermore, the usb-storage module is only loaded when the reader is plugged in; if the reader is already plugged in during boot, then usb-storage is not loaded. My understanding is that the usb-storage problem is not specific to the Alcor card reader.

If I manually load the usb-storage module or cause it to be loaded by connecting the external reader, then if I insert a card into the internal Alcor reader and attempt to do something with it (like fdisk -l /dev/sdc), then I get this:

[ 499.916536] usb 2-3: reset high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 2
[ 510.160550] usb 2-3: reset high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 2
[ 526.404534] usb 2-3: reset high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 2
[ 526.652527] usb 2-3: reset high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 2
[ 536.896534] usb 2-3: reset high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 2
[ 537.035296] sd 8:0:0:0: Device offlined - not ready after error recovery

Again, the external reader works perfectly. I only have this problem with the internal reader.

[GaryW (gnubyexample)]

Comparing the output of lsmod when running Kern2.6.27-11 versus Kern2.6.28-11 shows that
the module usb_storage is not being loaded when the system runs the newer Kernel 2.6.28-11

$wc -l *lsmod*sorted*ern*.txt
 124 ad2kz1gKern2627-11lsmodOutput__20090505sortedOlderKernel.txt
  70 ad2kz1gKern2628-11lsmodOutput__20090505sortedNewerKernel.txt
 194 total
$ diff ad2kz1gKern2627-11lsmodOutput__20090505sortedOlderKernel.txt ad2kz1gKern2628-11lsmodOutput__20090505sortedNewerKernel.txt | grep usb | sed 's/</Older2627<<</' | sed 's/>/Newer2628>>>/'
Older2627<<< libusual 30356 1 usb_storage
Older2627<<< scsi_mod 155212 7 st,sbp2,sg,sr_mod,sd_mod,usb_storage,libata
Older2627<<< usbcore 149488 7 usblp,usb_storage,libusual,ehci_hcd,ohci_hcd
Older2627<<< usblp 20480 1
Older2627<<< usb_storage 82624 2
Newer2628>>> usblp 20224 1

What I cannot answer at this time is why usb_storage is not being loaded when running the newer kernel.

When running Kern2.6.27-11 there is mention of a module named libusual which some reading (link below) suggested might have now been removed from Ubuntu Kernels of Jaunty and forthcoming Karmic.
   http://www.linux-archive.org/ubuntu-kernel-team/287813-sru-disable-libusual-ub.html
but I am still puzzled as the narrative seemed to suggest to me that not having libusual would just mean usb_storage itself picks everything up directly. My expectation would then be that lsmod when running the newer Kernel should
include usb_storage and related modules (but exclude libusual).

This is not the so in my case.

$ grep -H 'usb' *lsmod*sorted*ern*.txt
ad2kz1gKern2627-11lsmodOutput__20090505sortedOlderKernel.txt:libusual 30356 1 usb_storage
ad2kz1gKern2627-11lsmodOutput__20090505sortedOlderKernel.txt:scsi_mod 155212 7 st,sbp2,sg,sr_mod,sd_mod,usb_storage,libata
ad2kz1gKern2627-11lsmodOutput__20090505sortedOlderKernel.txt:usbcore 149488 7 usblp,usb_storage,libusual,ehci_hcd,ohci_hcd
ad2kz1gKern2627-11lsmodOutput__20090505sortedOlderKernel.txt:usblp 20480 1
ad2kz1gKern2627-11lsmodOutput__20090505sortedOlderKernel.txt:usb_storage 82624 2
ad2kz1gKern2628-11lsmodOutput__20090505sortedNewerKernel.txt:usblp 20224 1

[Simon Holm (odie-cs)]

Gary,

does it work if you manually modprobe usb-storage and possibly other related modules?

[GaryW (gnubyexample)]

Simon, welcome to the Launchpad community - have you thought about quickly signing up as an Ubuntero?
it is really quick - just follow the link:
   https://help.launchpad.net/BecomingAnUbuntero

That desktop machine ad2kz1g is a family machine and is a river crossing away so I will try what you ask over the weekend and post the result.

If a suggested fix is to manually edit /etc/modules then I will probably stick with Intrepid's Kernel (2.6.27) and wait
and see if Karmic has better usb detection than Jaunty. Whilst I am happy having custom /etc/ files on my own laptop machine, I try to avoid doing custom /etc/ files on machines I only attend to at upgrades.

I still do not know what has changed in Jaunty but i did try a little diff of the .config files of Kernel source incase that had any specific mention of Alcor brand or similar. If it is mentioned then I cannot see it.

$ diff Config-Kern2627-11generic-IntrepidNorMusbSorted.txt Config-Kern2628-11generic-JauntyNorMusbSorted.txt | egrep -v '(DVB|GSPCA|SND|TABLET|VIDEO|USBVGA|WEBCAM|USB_NET|USBNET|USB_PHIDGET)'
1,190c1,222
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_BT_HCIBFUSB=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_BT_HCIBTUSB=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_HISAX_HFCUSB=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_I2C_TINY_USB=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_LIBERTAS_USB=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_LIRC_ATIUSB=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_LIRC_IGORPLUGUSB=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_LIRC_MCEUSB2=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_LIRC_MCEUSB=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_LIRC_TTUSBIR=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_LMPCM_USB=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_P54_USB=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_PRISM2_USB=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_QC_USB=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_RT2500USB=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_RT2X00_LIB_USB=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_RT73USB=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_TOUCHSCREEN_USB_COMPOSITE=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_USB_ACM=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_USB_ADUTUX=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_USB_APPLEDISPLAY=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_USB_APPLEIR=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_USB_ATM=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_USB_BERRY_CHARGE=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_USB_C67X00_HCD=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_USB_CATC=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_USB_CDC_COMPOSITE=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_USB_CXACRU=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_USB_CYPRESS_CY7C63=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_USB_CYTHERM=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_USB_DSBR=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_USB_EHCI_HCD=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONFIG_USB_EMI26=m
< Config-Kern2627-11generic-Intrepid.txt:CONF...

[GaryW (gnubyexample)]

modprobe usb_storage
manually adds the module which gets the Alcor card reader working.

modinfo usb_storage
filename: /lib/modules/2.6.28-11-generic/kernel/drivers/usb/storage/usb-storage.ko
license: GPL
description: USB Mass Storage driver for Linux
author: Matthew Dharm <email address hidden>
srcversion: C3D12A8E3004821BCCAB146
depends:
vermagic: 2.6.28-11-generic SMP mod_unload modversions 586
parm: option_zero_cd:ZeroCD mode (1=Force Modem (default), 2=Allow CD-Rom (uint)
parm: swi_tru_install:TRU-Install mode (1=Full Logic (def), 2=Force CD-Rom, 3=Force Modem) (uint)
parm: delay_use:seconds to delay before using a new device (uint)

Log output produced by module load request:
May 21 19:48:20 ad2k1g kernel: [ 987.408083] Initializing USB Mass Storage driver...
May 21 19:48:20 ad2k1g kernel: [ 987.408308] scsi6 : SCSI emulation for USB Mass Storage devices
May 21 19:48:20 ad2k1g kernel: [ 987.412657] usbcore: registered new interface driver usb-storage
May 21 19:48:20 ad2k1g kernel: [ 987.412667] USB Mass Storage support registered.
May 21 19:48:25 ad2k1g kernel: [ 992.414151] scsi 6:0:0:0: Direct-Access Generic USB SD Reader 1.00 PQ: 0 ANSI: 0
May 21 19:48:25 ad2k1g kernel: [ 992.415645] scsi 6:0:0:1: Direct-Access Generic USB CF Reader 1.01 PQ: 0 ANSI: 0
May 21 19:48:25 ad2k1g kernel: [ 992.417166] scsi 6:0:0:2: Direct-Access Generic USB SM Reader 1.02 PQ: 0 ANSI: 0
May 21 19:48:25 ad2k1g kernel: [ 992.418648] scsi 6:0:0:3: Direct-Access Generic USB MS Reader 1.03 PQ: 0 ANSI: 0
May 21 19:48:25 ad2k1g kernel: [ 992.430223] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Attached SCSI removable disk
May 21 19:48:25 ad2k1g kernel: [ 992.430381] sd 6:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg2 type 0
May 21 19:48:25 ad2k1g kernel: [ 992.434077] sd 6:0:0:1: [sdc] Attached SCSI removable disk
May 21 19:48:25 ad2k1g kernel: [ 992.434373] sd 6:0:0:1: Attached scsi generic sg3 type 0
May 21 19:48:25 ad2k1g kernel: [ 992.437349] sd 6:0:0:2: [sdd] Attached SCSI removable disk
May 21 19:48:25 ad2k1g kernel: [ 992.438047] sd 6:0:0:2: Attached scsi generic sg4 type 0
May 21 19:48:25 ad2k1g kernel: [ 992.443307] sd 6:0:0:3: [sde] Attached SCSI removable disk
May 21 19:48:25 ad2k1g kernel: [ 992.443449] sd 6:0:0:3: Attached scsi generic sg5 type 0

The delimiter between usb and storage can be easy to misquote as the .ko file is usb-storage.ko but the
actual module name is usb_storage.
If you are unclear then just modinfo (as shown above) to check you have it right.

<To Alex Wauck>
 These messages differ from the ehci_hcd message you are getting but might add something to the information regarding your problem, in particular, in your case should scsi or sd be somehow initiated by your kernel? (as is the case on this machine).
</To Alex Wauck>

Kernel observation regarding usbcore: I am assuming this is somehow now a permanent part of Kern2628 rather than a module. I say this as doing lsmod on the newer kernel when usb_storage is loaded does not list usbcore as a module
(see attached 71 module list produced by lsmod after manual usb_storage loading)

Opinion/Conclus...

[Simon Holm (odie-cs)]

Thanks Gary. I think this problem should be easy to solve for others that know more about automatic loading of modules than I do, so for the sake of making it possible for others to skip right to working on a solution, can you please verify that the following is correct?

The executive summary is that with 2.6.28-11 the module usb-storage is not automatically loaded such that your and other users' internal Alcor SD card readers aren't working. Manually modprobing usb-storage works around the problem. 2.6.27 was fine.

PS. As for usb-storage vs. usb_storage I believe it should work both ways when using modprobe, at least it does in my Gentoo.

[GaryW (gnubyexample)]

The executive summary is concise and correct - thanks Simon.

[Jeremy Foshee (jeremyfoshee)]

Hi GaryW,

This bug was reported a while ago and there hasn't been any activity in it recently. We were wondering if this is still an issue? Can you try with the latest development release of Ubuntu? ISO CD images are available from http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/ .

If it remains an issue, could you run the following command from a Terminal (Applications->Accessories->Terminal). It will automatically gather and attach updated debug information to this report.

apport-collect -p linux 372232

Also, if you could test the latest upstream kernel available that would be great. It will allow additional upstream developers to examine the issue. Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Once you've tested the upstream kernel, please remove the 'needs-upstream-testing' tag. This can be done by clicking on the yellow pencil icon next to the tag located at the bottom of the bug description and deleting the 'needs-upstream-testing' text. Please let us know your results.

Thanks in advance.

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[Jeremy Foshee (jeremyfoshee)]

This bug report was marked as Incomplete and has not had any updated comments for quite some time. As a result this bug is being closed. Please reopen if this is still an issue in the current Ubuntu release http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download . Also, please be sure to provide any requested information that may have been missing. To reopen the bug, click on the current status under the Status column and change the status back to "New". Thanks.

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