Description of problem: When attempting to install the RHEL4 U4 partner beta (i386) on an ES7000/one, the uniprocessor installation kernel panics. We have found that the system will install when using the "noapic" parameter, but are unsure if this is an general work-around or if it only works in a particular hardware configuration. This is a regression from RHEL4 U3. In RHEL4 U3, no kernel parameters were required to install i386. Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): 2.6.9-39.EL How reproducible: Boot from the RHEL4 U4 i386 partner beta CD1 and attempt the install. Actual results: Kernel will panic. Expected results: Kernel does not panic. Additional info: RHEL4 U3 installation kernel did not require any kernel parameters in order to install i386 on ES7000/one.
Created attachment 130841 [details] Kernel panic with apic=debug
We are also unable to boot the default uniprocessor kernel even after installation is complete.
Does 'apic=bigsmp' work?
Does 'apic=bigsmp' work? Also, can you post the result of running dmidecode on the box?
In regards to " but are unsure if this is an general work-around or if it only works in a particular hardware configuration." it is a general work-around introduced in RHEL4 U4 kernel due to APIC being turned on in the uni-processor kernel. There are two parameters to revert to RHEL4 U3 behaviour: "nolapic" and "noapic". Just curious, what happends if "nolapic" is used?
apic=bigsmp does not change the panic. We see this error in the console: APIC Verbosity level bigsmp not recognised use apic=verbose or apic=debug. We will try nolapic shortly.
The nolapic option also did not help the panic. I will boot into the x86_64 install CD and retrieve the dmidecode output.
Created attachment 130912 [details] Output of dmidecode
Created attachment 131080 [details] A proposed patch. This a proposed patch that would automaticly supply the 'noapic' parameter when the UP kernel would be executed on a UNISYS ES/7000 ONE box.
Try this kernel, pls: http://darnok.com/unisys/kernel-2.6.9-37_BZ195002.EL.i686.rpm without adding the 'noapic' paramter. Thanks
The kernel you supplied booted successfully.
Patch posted on internal reflector for review and submission in 2.6.9 kernel.
Just to be sure - is this the same kernel that will be used to boot from the installation media?
> Just to be sure - is this the same kernel that will be used to boot from the > installation media? Yes. Thought a bit updated. The 2.6.9-39 kernel has a three-line patch for a kABI symbol breakage (nothing that affects the installation stage). The i386 UP kernel is the one used the installation media.
committed in stream U4 build 39.2. A test kernel with this patch is available from http://people.redhat.com/~jbaron/rhel4/
An advisory has been issued which should help the problem described in this bug report. This report is therefore being closed with a resolution of ERRATA. For more information on the solution and/or where to find the updated files, please follow the link below. You may reopen this bug report if the solution does not work for you. http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2006-0575.html