Bug#769749: it installed a system that wouldn't boot without wifi firmware

[Geert Stappers <stappers@debian.org>]

On Sat, Nov 15, 2014 at 10:10:58PM -0600, Tim Dowd wrote:
> Package: installation-reports
> 
> Boot method: Netinstall CD, Jessie Beta 2
> Image version: http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/jessie_di_beta_2/i386/iso-cd/debian-jessie-DI-b2-i386-netinst.iso
> Date: 2014-11-15
> 
> Machine: Compaq Presario V3000
> Processor: Centrino Duo
> Memory:
> Partitions:
> 
> Output of lspci -knn (or lspci -nn):
> 05:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [Golan] Network Connection [8086:4222] (rev 02)
> 	Subsystem: Hewlett-Packard Company Device [103c:135b]
> 	Kernel driver in use: iwl3945
   [ .... ]
> 
> Comments/Problems:
> 
> Installed i386 version of Jessie, selected MATE desktop. Upon booting,
> just got infinite loop of iwlwifi trying to find firmware.
> 
> Upon reboot, this started, but calmed down enough to let MATE load. I
> installed the wrong firmware package, rebooted, and could never get
> back in
> 
> Re-ran installation but chose XFCE instead. Started to have scrolling
> action but then XFCE loaded. I got the right firmware in and no more
> scrolling
> 
> Bottom line is it installed a system that wouldn't boot without
> firmware (or a lot of luck.)

Hello Tim,

Good install report. Thanks for bringing this issue up.
I, as in "I personaly", think that will be hard to resolve without
access to the hardware. So right now the only thing you know
is that someone has seen your bugreport and took time to acknowledge it.

I have some questions:

> Installed i386 version of Jessie, selected MATE desktop. Upon booting,
> just got infinite loop of iwlwifi trying to find firmware.

Was that a "warm reboot"? ( Was it without a power cycle? )

How was "iwlwifi trying to find firmware" shown to you? ( How did you
know what was inside the infinite loop? )


> Upon reboot, this started,

Was that a "cold reboot"?  ( Was it with turning-off and on again? )


Now imagine people that did a websearch on 
     linux 8086:4222

> I got the right firmware in and no more scrolling

What is the right firmware for the wifi device?
Where did you get it?


Would have https://www.debian.org/releases/jessie/i386/ch06s04.html.en
helped?


Groeten
Geert Stappers
-- 
Leven en laten leven