From Bugzilla Helper: User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.7.2) Gecko/20040803 Description of problem: Running the standard distribution kernel, as well as any of the upgrades kernel-2.6.5-1.358 kernel-2.6.7-1.494.2.2 kernel-2.6.8-1.521 causes problems with module drivers: vmware 4.5.2 loses access to a CD-ROM, plustek_pp scanner gets into a dead loop (moving sensor back & forth) while prescanning, sound chip (VIA 8233, ALSA drivers) produces only thrashing voices. These problems cease after kernel recompilation with some options turned off. I recall similar problems with drivers on othes boxes, either Athlon or Intel, ranging from sound distortion to a complete failure to display graphics on a Radeon 5200, which may or may not be caused by the same reason. Apparently, the distribution-shipped kernels are too large. This problem was mentioned in Brian's Ward "The Linux Problem Solver". The distributed pre-compiled kernels should be made smaller (and, perhaps, come in a larger variety), to better fit the target system. A note in README, pointing out the necessity of kernel-recompilation (with a related howto and a discussion of most effective options) should be included. Perhaps the installer should be extended to include assisted kernel compilation. Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): kernel-2.6.5-1.358 kernel-2.6.7-1.494.2.2 kernel-2.6.8-1.521 How reproducible: Always Steps to Reproduce: 1. Try using WMWare 4.5.2 2. Try using ALSA drivers on a VIA8233 chip 3. Try using plustek_pp Actual Results: VMWare 4.5.2 does not recognize a real CD-ROM (using a copied track works, however) Sound chip produces garbage plustek_pp scanner gets into a dead loop while prescanning, the lamp does not go off Expected Results: correct driver performance (this was actually obtained after kernel re-compilation) Additional info: The particular machine is a Shuttle AK32A - based Athlon with 512 GB RAM.
I don't know where you got your information, but it is wrong. I personally use VMWare 4.5.2 very often with all kernels from FC2 through rawhide, and I have never lost the ability to use the CDROM device. About your VIA8233 and plustek_pp problem, I have personally never tried those.
The information is not wrong - it comes straight from my experience with the desktop I am facing right now. VMWare worked *without CD-ROM access* with the kernel installed out of the box, and works quite fine now, *after* kernel recompilation. This does not conflict with your statement that the distribution kernel works fine on your configuration. It is, however, helpful to hear about your experience. I cannot exclude other possible reasons, such as conflicting modules. To supplement my report, I include lsmod output below: nls_utf8 2048 1 udf 83204 0 vmnet 29968 12 vmmon 46240 0 ppdev 8708 0 snd_pcm_oss 46008 0 snd_mixer_oss 15616 1 snd_pcm_oss snd_ens1371 25572 0 snd_rawmidi 23076 1 snd_ens1371 snd_seq_device 6920 1 snd_rawmidi snd_pcm 87944 2 snd_pcm_oss,snd_ens1371 snd_page_alloc 8968 1 snd_pcm snd_timer 27268 1 snd_pcm snd_ac97_codec 59652 1 snd_ens1371 snd 48740 8 snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_ens1371,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq_device,snd_pcm,snd_timer,snd_ac97_codec gameport 4352 1 snd_ens1371 soundcore 8032 1 snd w83627hf 23812 0 eeprom 6664 0 i2c_sensor 2688 2 w83627hf,eeprom i2c_isa 2304 0 i2c_viapro 6156 0 parport_pc 21952 1 lp 9576 0 parport 36808 3 ppdev,parport_pc,lp autofs4 21764 1 sunrpc 145252 1 8139too 22912 0 mii 4096 1 8139too floppy 54320 0 sg 30368 0 scsi_mod 107984 1 sg uhci_hcd 29336 0 button 5272 0 reiserfs 239700 2
Fedora Core 2 has now reached end of life, and no further updates will be provided by Red Hat. The Fedora legacy project will be producing further kernel updates for security problems only. If this bug has not been fixed in the latest Fedora Core 2 update kernel, please try to reproduce it under Fedora Core 3, and reopen if necessary, changing the product version accordingly. Thank you.