Bug#743849: linux-image-3.2.0-4-686-pae: Reboots without useful diagnostic on VIA C3 (non-PAE)
Package: linux-image-3.2.0-4-686-pae
Severity: normal
I was installing Debian onto an old system powered by the VIA C3
(Nehemiah) CPU. Initially I was not aware that the CPU does not
support PAE. For the record, I booted off an USB stick using grub 1.99
with intent to start FAI (Fully Automatic Installation).
Observed behaviour: the 686-PAE kernel reboots the system immediately
after the "Uncompressing kernel" message flashes on the screen for an
extremely brief time, giving the operator no hint about what is wrong.
Expected behaviour: the kernel should display a clear message that the
hardware does not support PAE (and consequently the 686-pae kernel),
and give the operator sufficient time to read it (possibly halting the
machine until power is turned off).
Wishlist item: a suggestion that a "486" series kernel is required
might be displayed as well.
Toomas Tamm
Estonia
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