Recall several instances in the past to this mailing list with regard to previous versions of the 2.4.x Linux kernel causing one of my Alphas to lock up (hard). There have been several explanations offered including the de4x5 driver (for DE-500-aa card), tulip driver, scsi driver (ncr-53c810), compiler version (gcc vs egcs), etc. Well, it doesn't matter now because it is working. I did nothing particular revolutionary in the configuration (it is a straight oldconfig from the 2.2.19 configuration), but for some reason, it is now working as it should. This has been going on since 2.4.0 release.
Usually the symptom of the failure was when the network started some major traffic, the system locked up. Other versions appeared to be related to scsi. I cannot really say for sure. I am using a current version of SRM firmware. The software is the present distribution of Debian/Testing for Alpha (Woody). The machine is a Microway screamer with 500 Hhz 21164a chip. I had a success story similar to this before, and it failed in a few minutes. Usually, it failed within seconds or upon boot up. It is going on over 30 minutes now with major load tests being down (cpu, net, i/o, etc.). I am sending this to all who have responded to me to try and help out in my previous postings. My goal all along has been to try out reiserfs since it works so well on my Intel machines. I plan on running about a week or so and then give it a whirl. Thanks for all who have helped, and, especially thanks to all the Linux/Debian developers for such a fine operating system! -- James D. Freels, P.E._i, Ph.D. Oak Ridge National Laboratory [EMAIL PROTECTED] - work [EMAIL PROTECTED] - home
