Bug 928549

Summary:	Fedora 18 Installation Hangs with HP Envy 23
Product:	[Fedora] Fedora	Reporter:	schaefi <info>
Component:	kernel	Assignee:	Kernel Maintainer List <kernel-maint>
Status:	CLOSED CANTFIX	QA Contact:	Fedora Extras Quality Assurance <extras-qa>
Severity:	urgent	Docs Contact:
Priority:	unspecified
Version:	18	CC:	gansalmon, g.kaviyarasu, itamar, jonathan, kernel-maint, madhu.chinakonda, mkolman, sbueno, vanmeeuwen+fedora
Target Milestone:	---
Target Release:	---
Hardware:	x86_64
OS:	Linux
Whiteboard:
Fixed In Version:		Doc Type:	Bug Fix
Doc Text:		Story Points:	---
Clone Of:		Environment:
Last Closed:	2013-04-12 16:47:06 UTC	Type:	Bug
Regression:	---	Mount Type:	---
Documentation:	---	CRM:
Verified Versions:		Category:	---
oVirt Team:	---	RHEL 7.3 requirements from Atomic Host:
Cloudforms Team:	---	Target Upstream Version:
Embargoed:

Description schaefi 2013-03-27 21:59:32 UTC

Description of problem:

The Fedora 18 installation hangs or has problems on a HP envy 23:
- Intel Core i7 3770s
- 8 GB DDR3-1600
- Radeon HD 7450A
- Hard drive: 1 TB SATA
- exact technical spec: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c03683196&cc=ad&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_r1002_usen_c-001_title_r0001#N1445

I tried the following:

1. Installation with USB-stick with Fedora 18 Live:
This leads to a freeze of the graphics. With <crtl> + <alt> + F1 I can get into the console. Killing the X11 with "kill -9 PID" restarts X11 with immediate freeze.

2. Installation with DVD with Fedora 18 DVD:
This leads frist to a graphic where the display is kind-of split in the middle. It can be fixed by entering in the grub menue with "e" into the edit mode and adding to the linux boot line the parameter "nomodeset".
Then setting up time, name, and partitions the installation start properly.
However after a while the installation freezes/hangs and the mouse can not be moved anymore.

I also tried with the booting options "xdrivers=vesa" and "resolution=1920x1080", "gfxpayload=text" but the installation always freezes towards the end.
Moreover I tried to install via network but again the installation always freezes towards the end. 

The point in which it freezes does not seem to be determined. Sometimes it freezes in the middle of the installation of packages (e.g.500/1192 or 1008/1192), sometimes it already freezes in the configuration before pressing "start installation"

Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable):
Fedora 18

How reproducible:
always
 
Actual results:
Installation freezes

I would be very happy if somebody could give me a hint what I should do or try

Comment 1 schaefi 2013-03-27 22:37:48 UTC

Here is the solution to avoid a freeze in the installation:

1. Make a bootable USB-stick with Fedora-18-x86_64-Live-Desktop.iso . 
You can do this with:
livecd-iso-to-disk --format --reset-mbr --efi Fedora-18-x86_64-Live-Desktop.iso /dev/sdg
where /dev/sdg is your 4GB USB stick

2. Insert USB-Stick with UEFI-image of Fedora 18 in the HP desktop
-> boot 
-> <ESC> to enter the startup menu
-> press F9 to enter the Boot Manager
-> select: Boot from EFI File
-> select: USB stick
-> enter
-> the grub menue shows up
-> choose: Fedora-18-x86_64-Live-Desktop
-> enter edit mode with: e
-> change: "rhgb" to "nomodeset"
-> press F10 to boot
-> Fedora 18 Live will now start up correctly and you can start the installation.
The installation runs through smoothly (and does not hang).


Here are my recommendations/conclusions to Anaconda developers:
1. USB Live Media:
There is definetly something wrong. Having to set the "nomodeset" is not normal!
Moreover the USB Live Media should have a "rescue" mode.
2. DVD Installation Media:
There is more tal least another bug on top of the "nomodeset". The reason of the freeze is not clear at all.

Comment 2 Josh Boyer 2013-04-12 16:47:06 UTC

We can't fix F18 installation media, as Fedora does not respin to include updates, etc.

We would appreciate it if you test the upcoming F19 Alpha release for the same issues, and report bugs against that if you are still having troubles.  They can hopefully be addressed before F19 release.

Comment 3 schaefi 2013-04-13 13:19:57 UTC

(In reply to comment #2)
> We can't fix F18 installation media, as Fedora does not respin to include
> updates, etc.
> 
> We would appreciate it if you test the upcoming F19 Alpha release for the
> same issues, and report bugs against that if you are still having troubles. 
> They can hopefully be addressed before F19 release.

Hi Josh,

thanks a lot to you comment. At least some reaction. I feared that Redhat and the community has already turned the page on Feroda 18.

It sounds reasonable that the installation media can not be fixed. With the "workaround" that I have provided people can at least install.

However the freeze still occures when installed:
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=948641
This might probably be the more interesting bug to you. There is additional information. And of course this code can be fixed and updated without restrictions.

I will be happy to provide feedback with Fedora 19 alpha as soon as I got some time. In parallel please do support me with bug 948641.