Re: kernel command line options (was Re: [vox-tech] problematic computer (when installing linux) [fixed])
On Wed, Nov 17, 2004 at 01:05:45PM -0800, Jeff Newmiller wrote: > On Wed, 17 Nov 2004, Rick Moen wrote: > > [discussion of variations on kernel options omitted] > > > Which begs the question: How does one do that on arbitrary Linux > > distributions, if they all implement kernel command-line options > > differently? (Yes, I do know that more-conservative Linux > > distributions' kernels disable fancy addressing modes for IDE, by > > default.) > > Well, you could take the top-down approach and try to make or add to a > standard (LSB?). > > However, when I write a program that accepts commandline options, I have > to document them, or others won't know which ones are available... the > problem is really similar. We usually have standard mechanisms for > finding these things out, decided by convention. "--help" is pretty > common these days, as is "man commandname" or googling. Due to the nature > of the kernel boot process, we may not have access to "man" or google, > though, so Knoppix's approach to self-documenting through boot menus is > the best option. > > Some combination of the above seems to be the tried-and-true approach. Kernel parameters are documented all over the kernel documentation, which can be found in the Documentation directory of a kernel source tree. They're documented by driver. They're also all listed briefly in kernel-parameters.txt (in the same directory). I don't think that distributions have different versions of the parameters documented in kernel-parameters.txt, unless these changed dramatically from kernel 2.4 to 2.6, and the distros are using different versions of the kernel. A distribution can create its own parameters, however. When you boot your system, all of the kernel parameters are stored in /proc/cmdline. This allows userspace processes to see what parameters were passed, and behave differently based on what they see. For example, knoppix takes advantage of this to add a custom option for selecting the locale and language used when the system boots up. this, because of the way it is implemented. Lastly, there also seem to be some undocumented variations on parameter names in the kernel itself. For example, I always go into single-user mode with "linux single". kernel-parameters.txt says it should be "linux S". well, "linux single" still works for me. --Ken Bloom -- I usually have a GPG digital signature included as an attachment. See http://www.gnupg.org/ for info about these digital signatures. signature.asc Description: Digital signature ___ vox-tech mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.lugod.org/mailman/listinfo/vox-tech
kernel command line options (was Re: [vox-tech] problematic computer (when installing linux) [fixed])
On Wed, 17 Nov 2004, Rick Moen wrote: [discussion of variations on kernel options omitted] > Which begs the question: How does one do that on arbitrary Linux > distributions, if they all implement kernel command-line options > differently? (Yes, I do know that more-conservative Linux > distributions' kernels disable fancy addressing modes for IDE, by > default.) Well, you could take the top-down approach and try to make or add to a standard (LSB?). However, when I write a program that accepts commandline options, I have to document them, or others won't know which ones are available... the problem is really similar. We usually have standard mechanisms for finding these things out, decided by convention. "--help" is pretty common these days, as is "man commandname" or googling. Due to the nature of the kernel boot process, we may not have access to "man" or google, though, so Knoppix's approach to self-documenting through boot menus is the best option. Some combination of the above seems to be the tried-and-true approach. --- Jeff NewmillerThe . . Go Live... DCN:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Basics: ##.#. ##.#. Live Go... Live: OO#.. Dead: OO#.. Playing Research Engineer (Solar/BatteriesO.O#. #.O#. with /Software/Embedded Controllers) .OO#. .OO#. rocks...1k --- ___ vox-tech mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.lugod.org/mailman/listinfo/vox-tech
Re: [vox-tech] problematic computer (when installing linux) [fixed]
Quoting Dylan Beaudette ([EMAIL PROTECTED]): > in order to disable DMA you must start the 'expert' installer, and > pass ide=nodma to the IDE modules so far so good! However, things > got messy when some packages refused to install (exim4 and some > others...) so i gave up on debian. > > With the Yoper 2.1 CD, i was able to boot and install the system with > the boot arguments 'novesa ide=nodma' These kernel command-line arguments to selectively disable some of the sometimes-problematic hardware autorecognition routines (plus ACPI, etc.) can be really, really useful in installing modern Linux distributions onto (in particular) older boxes. Vexingly[1], though, they _aren't standardised_. Grrr! Have a look at the famous "Knoppix cheatcodes" list: http://www.knoppix.net/docs/index.php/CheatCodes As comprehensive as the Knoppix list is, your "novesa" and "ide=nodma" appear nowhere on it: Instead of "novesa", you would say "xmodule=[SomeModuleName]". Instead of "ide=nodma", you would say "nodma". So, I have to wonder: Where are these differences between / among distributions entering into the picture? The reason this has come forcefully to my attention is that this guy wrote to me in e-mail, a couple of weeks ago: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=15125#post15125 He's brand-new to Linux, and had found my Web page[2] concerning Linux suport for the Dell Inspiron 7000 laptop, which he also owns -- and on which I've run Debian happily for many years. He attempted to install the Debian-derived Ubuntu Linux distribution, and got this: cdrom-detect: searching for Ubuntu installation media ide-cd 0x28 timed out hdc: DMA interrupt recovery hdc: lost interupt hdc: status error 0x58 drive ready seekrequest datarequest hdc: status error 0x00 hdc: drive not ready for command As it turned out, he was able to get around the problem by swapping CD-ROM drives for one of a different BIOS rev. (as reported on the above-mentioned Ubuntu Linux thread), but one of the suggestions I was going to make was to try the installer with IDE DMA disabled. Which begs the question: How does one do that on arbitrary Linux distributions, if they all implement kernel command-line options differently? (Yes, I do know that more-conservative Linux distributions' kernels disable fancy addressing modes for IDE, by default.) [1] As opposed to "vox-ingly". [2] http://linuxmafia.com/~rick/inspiron7000.html -- Cheers, "Plus ça change" Rick Moenhttp://linuxmafia.com/~rick/pictures/1861-versus-2004.jpeg [EMAIL PROTECTED] P.S.: http://www.sorryeverybody.com/gallery/1/ ___ vox-tech mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.lugod.org/mailman/listinfo/vox-tech
Re: [vox-tech] problematic computer (when installing linux) [fixed]
On Tuesday 16 November 2004 07:42 pm, Jonathan Stickel wrote: > Can I assume you've googled about your particular hardware? Maybe your > CD/DVD just won't play nice with DMA. One thing worth trying is to see > how your computer behaves with KNOPPIX. When booting knoppix, do: > > knoppix dma > > to enable dma support of your drives. If everything works, then you > know your hardware is OK as long as it gets detected/configured properly. > > HTH, > Jonathan Thanks Jonhathan! I was hoping to install debian on this machine from the netinst Sarge RC1 netinst CD: in order to disable DMA you must start the 'expert' installer, and pass ide=nodma to the IDE modules so far so good! However, things got messy when some packages refused to install (exim4 and some others...) so i gave up on debian. With the Yoper 2.1 CD, i was able to boot and install the system with the boot arguments 'novesa ide=nodma' After the install everything seems to be in working order!! What did we learn about all of this...? 1. on this particular machine (possibly funky CDROM drives that don't like DMA) passing the parameter 'ide=nodma' got the install going. once the system was booted, i re-enabled DMA for the hard disk, but not for the CDROM drives. 2. I will check on the DMA status while in whindows, and write back with my findings (thanks for the idea Mark!) -- Dylan Beaudette Soil Science Graduate Group University of California at Davis > Dylan Beaudette wrote: > > Hi everyone, > > > > I have a machine here that is starting to drive me crazy. It is a Compaq > > Pentiumm III class machine, with integrated everything, and a funky case. > > > > I have tried just about every flavor of linux, and only 1 (SUSE 9.1) > > would even install. Even after I installed it, any attempts by the OS to > > enable DMA access to one of the CDROMS led to a nasty crash. > > > > The CD drives function perfectly from windows, and in SUSE 9.1 when in it > > DMA mode...However, every linux install CD barfs about half way though > > the install process... > > > > The offending IDE controller is an Intel 82801AA. > > > > So it has come down to a couple options: > > 1. use windows, and put up with all the crap associated with it > > (obviously not ideal) > > > > 2. re-install SUSE 9.1 and put up with broken DVD playback (needs DMA) > > and funky sound > > > > 3. replace some of the hardware and install Debian / Yoper > > > > My question to the list is: Does anyone know where one can get a hold of > > some decent pentium III class hardware that I can use to put together a > > working machine. Ideally a mini Shuttle-type system would be ideal, but > > they seem to price out at about $400 minimum. > > > > Any ideas? > > > > thanks, > > > > Dylan > > ___ > > vox-tech mailing list > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > http://lists.lugod.org/mailman/listinfo/vox-tech > > ___ > vox-tech mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://lists.lugod.org/mailman/listinfo/vox-tech ___ vox-tech mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.lugod.org/mailman/listinfo/vox-tech
Re: [vox-tech] problematic computer (when installing linux)
While you're checking for DMA, see if Windows uses DMA, too. If Windows does but Linux can't, then there's a problem. To check it, go to [Control Panel] -> [System] -> [Device Manager] -> select the IDE controllers -> [Properties] -> second tab. :: why do i know these things off the top of my head...? -_-' :: -Mark On Tue, 16 Nov 2004, Jonathan Stickel wrote: > Can I assume you've googled about your particular hardware? Maybe your > CD/DVD just won't play nice with DMA. One thing worth trying is to see > how your computer behaves with KNOPPIX. When booting knoppix, do: > > knoppix dma > > to enable dma support of your drives. If everything works, then you > know your hardware is OK as long as it gets detected/configured properly. > > HTH, > Jonathan > > > Dylan Beaudette wrote: > > Hi everyone, > > > > I have a machine here that is starting to drive me crazy. It is a Compaq > > Pentiumm III class machine, with integrated everything, and a funky case. > > > > I have tried just about every flavor of linux, and only 1 (SUSE 9.1) would > > even install. Even after I installed it, any attempts by the OS to enable > > DMA access to one of the CDROMS led to a nasty crash. > > > > The CD drives function perfectly from windows, and in SUSE 9.1 when in it > > DMA mode...However, every linux install CD barfs about half way though the > > install process... > > > > The offending IDE controller is an Intel 82801AA. > > > > So it has come down to a couple options: > > 1. use windows, and put up with all the crap associated with it (obviously > > not ideal) > > > > 2. re-install SUSE 9.1 and put up with broken DVD playback (needs DMA) and > > funky sound > > > > 3. replace some of the hardware and install Debian / Yoper > > > > My question to the list is: Does anyone know where one can get a hold of > > some decent pentium III class hardware that I can use to put together a > > working machine. Ideally a mini Shuttle-type system would be ideal, but > > they seem to price out at about $400 minimum. > > > > Any ideas? > > > > thanks, > > > > Dylan > > ___ > > vox-tech mailing list > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > http://lists.lugod.org/mailman/listinfo/vox-tech > > > ___ > vox-tech mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://lists.lugod.org/mailman/listinfo/vox-tech > -- Mark K. Kim AIM: markus kimius Homepage: http://www.cbreak.org/ Xanga: http://www.xanga.com/vindaci Friendster: http://www.friendster.com/user.php?uid=13046 PGP key fingerprint: 7324 BACA 53AD E504 A76E 5167 6822 94F0 F298 5DCE PGP key available on the homepage ___ vox-tech mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.lugod.org/mailman/listinfo/vox-tech
Re: [vox-tech] problematic computer (when installing linux)
Can I assume you've googled about your particular hardware? Maybe your CD/DVD just won't play nice with DMA. One thing worth trying is to see how your computer behaves with KNOPPIX. When booting knoppix, do: knoppix dma to enable dma support of your drives. If everything works, then you know your hardware is OK as long as it gets detected/configured properly. HTH, Jonathan Dylan Beaudette wrote: Hi everyone, I have a machine here that is starting to drive me crazy. It is a Compaq Pentiumm III class machine, with integrated everything, and a funky case. I have tried just about every flavor of linux, and only 1 (SUSE 9.1) would even install. Even after I installed it, any attempts by the OS to enable DMA access to one of the CDROMS led to a nasty crash. The CD drives function perfectly from windows, and in SUSE 9.1 when in it DMA mode...However, every linux install CD barfs about half way though the install process... The offending IDE controller is an Intel 82801AA. So it has come down to a couple options: 1. use windows, and put up with all the crap associated with it (obviously not ideal) 2. re-install SUSE 9.1 and put up with broken DVD playback (needs DMA) and funky sound 3. replace some of the hardware and install Debian / Yoper My question to the list is: Does anyone know where one can get a hold of some decent pentium III class hardware that I can use to put together a working machine. Ideally a mini Shuttle-type system would be ideal, but they seem to price out at about $400 minimum. Any ideas? thanks, Dylan ___ vox-tech mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.lugod.org/mailman/listinfo/vox-tech ___ vox-tech mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.lugod.org/mailman/listinfo/vox-tech
[vox-tech] problematic computer (when installing linux)
Hi everyone, I have a machine here that is starting to drive me crazy. It is a Compaq Pentiumm III class machine, with integrated everything, and a funky case. I have tried just about every flavor of linux, and only 1 (SUSE 9.1) would even install. Even after I installed it, any attempts by the OS to enable DMA access to one of the CDROMS led to a nasty crash. The CD drives function perfectly from windows, and in SUSE 9.1 when in it DMA mode...However, every linux install CD barfs about half way though the install process... The offending IDE controller is an Intel 82801AA. So it has come down to a couple options: 1. use windows, and put up with all the crap associated with it (obviously not ideal) 2. re-install SUSE 9.1 and put up with broken DVD playback (needs DMA) and funky sound 3. replace some of the hardware and install Debian / Yoper My question to the list is: Does anyone know where one can get a hold of some decent pentium III class hardware that I can use to put together a working machine. Ideally a mini Shuttle-type system would be ideal, but they seem to price out at about $400 minimum. Any ideas? thanks, Dylan ___ vox-tech mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.lugod.org/mailman/listinfo/vox-tech
