VM: do_try_to_free_pages failed

[Angelo Cano <acano@systec.com>]

Hello,

I have a few questions:

1) Has anyone out there managed to fix the kernel VM problem by 
upgrading to the 2.4 kernel?

Oct 22 03:11:26 debian kernel: VM: do_try_to_free_pages failed for rxvt...
Oct 22 03:11:26 debian last message repeated 2 times
Oct 22 03:11:26 debian kernel: VM: do_try_to_free_pages failed for init...
Oct 22 03:11:26 debian kernel: VM: do_try_to_free_pages failed for init...
Oct 22 03:11:26 debian kernel: VM: do_try_to_free_pages failed for netstat...

Other people have reported this problem on the list and it was recommended
that they upgrade to 2.2.18, but searching around with google and
dejanews I found a few 2.2.18 people who were still having the same problem.

2) How do you know if you are running a "pre" kernel version?

In order to upgrade to 2.2.18 I think I have to apply Alan Cox's patch
against 2.2.17pre20 or something, but I have no idea where to get
2.2.17pre20.  At kernel.org they didn't list "pre" kernels, just
2.2.15, 2.2.16, 2.2.17, etc.  I assumed that the listings at kernel.org
where the the "final" versions, so I gave 2.2.17 a shot.  It seems
to work a little better than the stock Debian 2.2 kernel (2.2.17pre6 ?) 
in that it doesn't crash as much, but the VM problem is still there.

I just don't understand the whole "pre" thing.

3) Isn't 'dpkg -i kernel-image-2.2.17_custom.1.0_i386.deb' supposed to
install a kernel named /boot/vmlinuz_2.2.17-Custom.1.0 ???
Instead, it simply overwrote my previous kernel image (/boot/vmlinux-2.2.17):

{acano} [~]$ ls -l /vm*
lrwxrwxrwx    1 root     root           20 Oct 19 14:24 /vmlinuz -> /boot/vmlinuz-2.2.17
lrwxrwxrwx    1 root     root           19 Sep 16 07:10 /vmlinuz.old -> boot/vmlinuz-2.2.17

Debian FAQ section 9.2:
"""
        * Install the package created.

             * `Run dpkg --install /usr/src/kernel-image-VVV_Custom.N.deb'
               to install the kernel itself.  The installation script will:

                  * run the boot loader, LILO (if it is installed),

                  * install the custom kernel in
                    /boot/vmlinuz_VVV-Custom.N, and set up appropriate
                    symbolic links to the most recent kernel version.

                  * prompt the user to make a boot floppy.  This boot
                    floppy will contain the raw kernel only.  See Section
                    9.3, `How can I make a custom boot floppy?'.
"""

4) Will I need to upgrade anything else if I move up to the 2.4 kernels?


Thanks :)