Bug#265093: IDE-"crash" due to DSC timeout during package installation.
Package: debian-installer
Version: Sarge RC1 (ISO-Image 1 of 13)
I'm testing Debian CD Sarge i386 RC1, ISO 1 of 13.
Problem: During the installation of the packages (from IDE DVD-ROM) I
get a "hdb: DSC Timeout" (almost) every time. AFAIK a DSC timeout is a
non-fatal condition. But after it my system gets stuck in a "cdrom
access - DMA timeout - ATAPI reset" loop and nothing responds anymore.
It's strange that the problem only occurs during the package
installation phase. The base install works everytime (I tried
approximately 6 installations) and I can even mount the whole CD
manually and copy the content into a directoy on the harddisk
(BTW: that's why I'm sure that the CD has no errors). I think a specific
access pattern during package install triggers the failure.
Workaround: before the installation of the packages invoke a shell and
disable the dsc_overlap feature:
echo "dsc_overlap:0">/proc/ide/ide0/hdb/settings
Proposed solution: AFAIK dsc_overlap is an advanced feature that was
used before only with SCSI devices (disconnection). Obviously my 5
years old hardware has troubles with it. My suggestion is to disable
dsc_overlap for old hardware or even for all hardware - at least during
installation.
Hardware:
Mainboard: Tyan S1590S Trinity 100AT /* nice upgrade board */
Chipset: VIA MVP3 (82C5xx) /* *cough* CRAP! *cough* */
CPU: AMD K6-II / 500 MHz
IDE HD (WDC WD450AA-00BAA0) on hda (installation target)
IDE DVD-ROM (Asus E616) on hdb (installtion source)
IDE HD (Maxtor 34098H4) on hdc (unused)
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