Re: Squeeze System "Bricked" after Software Upgrades 09/04
On Sat, 2010-09-04 at 10:50 -0400, Gilbert Sullivan wrote:
> I have a Panasonic subnotebook (CF-R3) that has been functioning
> superbly for months under Squeeze with Xfce/gdm. It has an integrated
> Intel video system and a Japanese / English keyboard with which I have
> used the standard kernel mapping (chosen during Expert install). This is
> Squeeze with no proprietary firmware and the stock repositories (no
> third party repositories, no non-free, all software installations
> throughout the history of the system on this OS being made through
> aptitude).
>
> This morning (09/04) after applying latest updates through aptitude, I
> rebooted the system. It hard locked after it started loading gdm. The
> REISUB key combination had no effect whatsoever on the system. I was
> unable to connect to it via Ethernet. I had to force it down with the
> power switch.
>
> I can boot into recovery mode. I used "touch /forcefsck" to get a file
> system check during a reboot. No errors reported.
>
> Below is the list of software upgrades applied this morning.
>
> --------------------------8<-----------------------------
> [INSTALL, DEPENDENCIES] libxapian22
> [UPGRADE] apt 0.7.25.3 -> 0.8.0
> [UPGRADE] apt-utils 0.7.25.3 -> 0.8.0
> [UPGRADE] aptitude 0.6.3-3 -> 0.6.3-3.1
> [UPGRADE] aptitude-doc-en 0.6.3-3 -> 0.6.3-3.1
> [UPGRADE] firmware-linux-free 2.6.32-20 -> 2.6.32-21
> [UPGRADE] libept1 1.0.3 -> 1.0.3+b1
> [UPGRADE] libldap-2.4-2 2.4.17-2.1 -> 2.4.23-4
> [UPGRADE] libparted0debian1 2.3-1 -> 2.3-2
> [UPGRADE] libsdl-gfx1.2-4 2.0.20-1 -> 2.0.20-1.1
> [UPGRADE] linux-base 2.6.32-20 -> 2.6.32-21
> [UPGRADE] linux-image-2.6.32-5-686 2.6.32-20 -> 2.6.32-21
> [UPGRADE] python-apt 0.7.96.1 -> 0.7.97.1
> [UPGRADE] python-gobject 2.21.1-2 -> 2.21.4+is.2.21.3-1
> [UPGRADE] python-xapian 1.0.20-1 -> 1.2.3-3
> [UPGRADE] xserver-common 2:1.7.7-3 -> 2:1.7.7-4
> [UPGRADE] xserver-xephyr 2:1.7.7-3 -> 2:1.7.7-4
> [UPGRADE] xserver-xorg-core 2:1.7.7-3 -> 2:1.7.7-4
> --------------------------8<-----------------------------
>
> I have a very different notebook (Dell Precision M70) that has exactly
> the same installation history. (I run them side-by-side, relying upon
> the Panasonic system as an emergency backup if the Dell should fail.) No
> problems ever running Squeeze on these systems other than some minor
> issues in the Nouveau driver transition on the Dell system a couple of
> months ago.
>
> I've tried examining dmesg output, /var/log/syslog, /var/log/Xorg.0.log
> -- but, if there is evidence in there of why this is happening I'm not
> seeing it. (I'm happy to admit that I've in well over my head on this,
> though.)
>
> From the list of upgraded software I suppose that my problem is either
> with the linux-image upgrade or with the xserver upgrades.
> Unfortunately, I have no previous kernels from which to boot the system.
> It does not have an optical drive, but I can attach one to a USB port
> and boot another environment if need be. I have a feeling that this
> isn't a hardware issue, though.
>
> Would someone be willing to lead me through troubleshooting? I'd really
> appreciate it!
>
>
Not an exact solution, but perhaps you should not run testing as a
desktop: http://www.debian.org/doc/FAQ/ch-choosing.en.html
Not meant to be snarky, just trying to say testing is for testing.
Now, on to something more helpful: can you boot the machine into a live
distro of some sort, to verify that the machine it's self does not have
a failure?
--
Damon
damon@damtek.com
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